Necks, "Slim C" compared to "Classic C"

[guitar1580]

So I just put money down on a custom order Legacy with ash body, 3 color sunburst, rosewood board, 7.5 radius, and the narrower 1 5/8" nut width.

So I have to let my dealer know the final details tomorrow morning regarding the neck profile. I was leaning toward the SLIM C (.820" to .870" taper), but as I'm looking at the different neck specs, I'm noticing the CLASSIC C (.830" to .960" taper).... with description reading - "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.”

They both have the 1 5/8" nut width that I like, but it seems the latter gets a little chunkier as you go up the neck.

I'm wondering if any of you guys are familiar with both, to relate the difference in feel. For decades I've played 70s Fender Strats and Teles, and am thinking the little beefier Classic C may be a little closer to those old Fenders that I'm used to.

My only G&L currently is my 1983 Cavalier with 1 5/8" nut width and 7.5 radius, but it does feel more slim from front to back than my older Fenders, so I'm thinking I may like the slightly beefier Classic C, as it may be more similar to the Fenders. Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

JT

[trem]

What you need to do is look up neck dimensions for various guitars that you know are stocked at your local music shop and try them out and see what feels good and order the G&L neck with the most similar dimensions. Is this an online dealer, or a dealer who doesn't stock G&L on the floor?

[guitar1580]

Thanks, yes, I got it all worked out through my dealer, and was able to talk to a G&L rep to discuss the nuances of the various neck profiles. I'm getting the Slim C, with 1 5/8" nut width, and 7.5" radius.

I simply cannot say enough good things about G&L, and Moore's Music Emporium in Bridgeport, Ohio, for taking the time and effort to make sure I will be getting exactly what I want. I feel 100% confident that this instrument is going to be the holy grail of Strat style guitars for me.

Now comes the hard part ... the wait.

Will update, JT

[trem]

I have a modern classic, which is a slim c but with the nut 1/16th inch wider. It's a 9.5, and that's the only thing I don't like about the neck. I wanted a 12. I'll refret it in about a year and make it a compound radius of 9.5-12, and that will be better than having 12 at the lower frets.

I haven't played a 70's strat in a very long time, but it's probably thicker than the slim c but thinner than the classic. The classic feels like a baseball bat in my hands and that's why I searched until I found a slim c, as I needed a strat and couldn't wait months for a special order. The thickness is perfect for me.

Glad to hear you're all sorted. You go with alder or ash? Do they have roasted maple necks as an option? I might just do a custom in the future.

[guitar1580]

I got the ash body, with 3 color sunburst finish, and white pearloid guard. I asked if they could pick a body which is light in weight. He said that was not possible, but that the recent ash they've been gettin in is running on the light side. I didn't want to get into a lot more added expense, so I got the standard satin neck. I'll probably polish it out to a high gloss, as I've done with several newer Martins.

In talking with the rep, he noted that the thicker Classic C is not just thicker from front to back, but has more heft in the shoulder areas, the areas above and below center ... and I think that is where you noticed the "ballbat" feel. I've played some Les Pauls with that feel, and do not care for it. I very much liked the feel of the Modern Classic, but did not want the extra width, so like you said, the Slim C is like a Modern Classic minus the extra 1/16", and more consistent with my older Fenders, and my '83 Cavalier, which also has 1 5/8 nut & 7.5 radius.

I wanted the 7.5, as I am comfortable with that on the Fenders. If I feel the need to do a lot of string bending, I have other guitars with flatter radiuses, but I don't keep my action ultra low, so it's not a big issue for me. I love the feel of the older 7+ Fender necks. I play a lot of acoustic, so I use heavier .011 gauge electric strings, and medium action height.

Another big help was when I told the rep about my '83 Cavalier. He knew just what that neck profile was like, so we were able to help relate that to the currently available necks. I feel that this neck is going to be perfect for me, and with the medium jumbo frets and attention to detail in manufacturing, I think this guitar is going to feel even better than the Fenders I'm used to.

I've always wanted a sunburst Strat w/ rosewood board, and this Legacy is going to be that and much more. The anniversary model I played in the store sounded truly amazing. I actually almost bought it, but after talking about the custom order, it turns out the price difference is very little for ordering the custom with everything I want.

JT

[trem]

Yeah, man, sounds like you are dialed! I would have preferred the 1 5/8 width myself, but it seemed like a small concession compared to my other options, and I needed a strat right away. Will have to do a custom order sometime in the near future. Thanks for the deets, and give us updates!