The Neck #1 most common for USA S 500?

[Ribsspare]

I want to order my own S 500 from an online music store located on the east coast and they list the neck sizes on their website. Is the #1 neck 12 inch radius the most common for USA S 500 models? I'm actually not that picky about neck sizes and I am not a hard rock shredder. Just standard blues man.

[Craig]

I want to order my own S 500 from an online music store located on the east coast and they list the neck sizes on their website. Is the #1 neck 12 inch radius the most common for USA S 500 models? I'm actually not that picky about neck sizes and I am not a hard rock shredder. Just standard blues man.

Yes, the #1 neck is the standard neck on the S-500. It is what you would get if you ordered the standard spec S-500.

Hope this helps.

[Ribsspare]

Great, thanks.

[Philby]

Hi Ribsspare,

See if you can try out a S-500 before you buy. The standard #1 neck width is quite narrow, the fretboard is relatively flat (12") and the frets are HUGE. I'm not saying that's good or bad, but it certainly takes a bit of getting used to if you're accustomed to standard fret wire on a more vintage fretboard (e.g. 7.5" or 9"). If you've got bigger hands then you might prefer one of the other neck options. My hands AREN'T huge but I find the #1 neck cramped for space sometimes, especially on the higher frets where that massive fret wire seems to encroach on valuable fret board real estate.

Just something to watch out for........

[Ribsspare]

Thanks.

[suave eddie]

When I recently ordered my ASAT I agonized for a long time over which neck profile I wanted.

My only guitar for years was the SC-1 in my picture. It has a very 'flat' profile to it with a 7.5" radius. When I first bought it new, I had the frets lowered. Since this was all I was playing, this is the neck shape I thought I liked. Then I played a Nocaster for a couple of years and I fell in love with the fat chunky neck, also with the 7.5" radius.

It's difficult to find a store that has very many different G&L necks--when I did my shopping I was able to play the #1 against the #2 Vintage "C" and a 1b modern "V". They are all very comfortable necks. I almost ordered the #1C Modern "U" hoping it would be more like the Nocaster neck, but nobody had one to try. After much comparison, I was finally able to see why everyone seems to like the 12" radius. The 12" radius of the #1 feels wider than my slim, flat neck with the 7.5" radius on my SC-1 even though they are the same width. Regarding the large frets, you might want to consider ordering the Vintage size frets--I'm glad I did--My #1 neck with vintage frets feels perfect to me. Unless you have unusually thick fingers, or you just like a very wide fret board, the #1 neck will probably fit you. If you have a chance to play any G&Ls at a local store, the chances are that most will have the #1 neck.

[Ribsspare]

I'm thinking the # 1 will probably be ideal. I have an ASAT Tribute and I believe it's a 9 inch radius and it's a little too wide for me but not a deal breaker really. I also have a 1990s USA ASAT and I think it's a #1 and it seems more narrow and better than theTribute neck so I assume a #1 is probably a nice fit for me.

[suave eddie]

From what I understand, all the Tribute necks are 9" radius.

[darwinohm]

I had wondered about the necks on my G&Ls and It happens that none of them have a 7.5 radius and are all 12". It appears that they are a #1 after measuring them all. I will say that was a surprise to me as I thought I could feel differences. The new Blingy ASAT that I picked up on Monday has a 1c, modern U shape and it doesn't feel much different than the 1. If I hadn't know I would have never guessed. I do like the v profile on my Custom Clapton and an American Deluxe V neck has always been one of my favorites. But the fact is that I can't tell much difference between any of them.-- Darwin

[Craig]

I'm thinking the # 1 will probably be ideal. I have an ASAT Tribute and I believe it's a 9 inch radius and it's a little too wide for me but not a deal breaker really. I also have a 1990s USA ASAT and I think it's a #1 and it seems more narrow and better than theTribute neck so I assume a #1 is probably a nice fit for me.

The radius is the curvature across the width of the fretboard and nothing to do with
the shape nor depth of the back of the neck. The #1 thru #2b necks are all 1 5/8" width at the nut.
See the USA Guitar Options page for a list of all available necks and their specs.

Hope this helps.

[Boogie Bill]

If you want the S-500 for blues bending, I'd strongly recommend the #1 12" radius neck. I was a vintage Strat player for many years, but once I went to the Legacy/S-500/Comanche/Legacy Special, I was done with the small radius neck.

Bill

[Ribsspare]

Excellent thanks. I just ordered a USA S 500 last night from a music store website and chose the #1 neck.