Modern Classic Neck Profile Tolerances

[docdynamite]

I have two G Ls, both with the Modern Classic neck profile. The two necks feel different from each other. I love one more than the other. What gives? Can the one neck be modified to feel as good as the other? I am stupid. Please make me smarter!

[guitar_ed]

Hi Doc,

Two different issues here.

1). Can necks built to the same specs be different? The short answer is yes. Most of the shaping is done by CNC machines. At this point, the necks would be the same, plus or minus a few ten thousandths of an inch. It’s the next few steps that introduce differences. The necks are finish sanded by hand, not machine. Then hand painted, and hand finished again. It’s the “by hand “ processes that introduce the differences.

2). Can you make neck A the same as neck B? The answer is maybe. You need to start identify which neck is your #1, then start measuring the two necks, VERY carefully. I suspect that you will find the differences to be in the range of a few hundredths of an inch.

Let us know how it all works out.

edg

[Craig]

I have two G Ls, both with the Modern Classic neck profile. The two necks feel different from each other. I love one more than the other. What gives? Can the one neck be modified to feel as good as the other? I am stupid. Please make me smarter!

What are the two models that have the same neck profiles? What are the build year of each and do they have the same frets, neck finish, fretboard wood and radius?

How about posting photos of each, too.

And a side note, please add them to our G&L Registry. See: Welcome! Read This First.

[docdynamite]

2016 ASAT Special same frets, same neck finish, maple board, 9 1/2

2017 ASAT Special, same frets, same neck finish, rosewood board, 9 1/2

[Craig]

2016 ASAT Special same frets, same neck finish, maple board, 9 1/2

2017 ASAT Special, same frets, same neck finish, rosewood board, 9 1/2

Can you measure both necks (nut width, depth at 1st fret, 5th fret and 12th fret)? Are they the same?

[docdynamite]

2016 ASAT Special same frets, same neck finish, maple board, 9 1/2

2017 ASAT Special, same frets, same neck finish, rosewood board, 9 1/2

Can you measure both necks (nut width, depth at 1st fret, 5th fret and 12th fret)? Are they the same?

Ok, after some measuring...
The 16 ASAT Special is 1 11/16 nut, .805, .830, .840.

The 17 ASAT Special is 1 5/8 nut, .830, .860, .850.

[Craig]

2016 ASAT Special same frets, same neck finish, maple board, 9 1/2

2017 ASAT Special, same frets, same neck finish, rosewood board, 9 1/2

Can you measure both necks (nut width, depth at 1st fret, 5th fret and 12th fret)? Are they the same?

Ok, after some measuring...
The 16 ASAT Special is 1 11/16 nut, .805, .830, .840.

The 17 ASAT Special is 1 5/8 nut, .830, .860, .850.

What do the Custom Specifications Sheets for each guitar say about the neck profile?

Here are the neck profiles with 1 11/16" nut:

Modern Classic - 1 11/16” nut width with 1 5/8” string spacing allows a generous edge roll for superb comfort without string fall-off.
Fairly slim with mild taper from 0.820” at 1st fret to 0.870” at the 12th fret.

Classic Plus C - Just 1/16” wider than the Classic C with added string spacing. A good choice for players with big hands who find 1 5/8” a little too narrow.
1 11/16” nut width, slight edge roll, medium taper from 0.830” to 0.960”. It starts off fairly slim and gets beefier up the neck. These specs were part of the #3 neck.

And, here are the neck profiles with 1 5/8" nut:

Slim C - 1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, mild taper from 0.820” to 0.870”. These specs were part of the #1a neck.

Classic C - This is the profile most G&L fans associate with the post 2000 era. 1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, medium taper from 0.830” to 0.960”.
It starts off fairly slim and gets beefier up the neck. These specs were part of the #1 neck.

Heritage ‘86 - Faithful to the early G&L years with a 1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, and medium taper from 0.790” at 1st fret to a 0.910” at 12th fret.
These specs were part of the #1b neck.

Modern U - Fans of Leo’s early U-shape necks often want a chunk down low but not too much at the top.
While some of those early U-shape necks were extremely thick, the Modern U offers a bit more chunk but not too much.
1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, mild taper from 0.850” at the 1st fret to 0.910” at the 12th fret. These specs were part of the #1c neck.

Soft V - A gentle V-shape is heaven for some players, and this is one will delight. Mild V-shape down low which fades to almost C-shape up top.
1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, mild taper from 0.830” at the 1st fret to 0.960” at the 12th fret. These specs were part of the #2a neck.

Deep V - A more aggressive V-shape for those who can’t get enough V. Pronounced V-shape down low which fades to moderate V-shape up top.
1 5/8” nut width, slight edge roll, mild taper from 0.890” at the 1st fret to 0.930” at the 12th fret. These specs were part of the #1d neck.

References:
July 1, 2015-Feb 29, 2016 G&L U.S. Specifications & Options
March 1, 2016-Jan 31, 2017 G&L U.S. Specifications & Options
February 1-August 31, 2017 G&L U.S. Specifications & Options
September 1, 2017-present G&L U.S. Specifications & Options

Hope this helps.

[docdynamite]

Both ASATs are supposed to be Modern Classic profile.

[Craig]

Both ASATs are supposed to be Modern Classic profile.

What measurements do they have listed for them?


For example here is what my ASAT Classic Bluesboy 90 shows:

[Craig]

Both ASATs are supposed to be Modern Classic profile.

Ok, after some measuring...
The 16 ASAT Special is 1 11/16 nut, .805, .830, .840.

The 17 ASAT Special is 1 5/8 nut, .830, .860, .850.

It's very clear that the 2017 does not have the Modern Classic profile neck. Did you order this new from a G&L dealer?
If so, I recommend contacting the dealer to get the neck you had ordered.

[docdynamite]

Both ASATs are supposed to be Modern Classic profile.

Ok, after some measuring...
The 16 ASAT Special is 1 11/16 nut, .805, .830, .840.

The 17 ASAT Special is 1 5/8 nut, .830, .860, .850.

It's very clear that the 2017 does not have the Modern Classic profile neck. Did you order this new from a G&L dealer?
If so, I recommend contacting the dealer to get the neck you had ordered.

I ordered this 2017 new from the factory through a dealer. I am more comfortable with the slim C than the modern classic it appears.