New Guild Necks - need help!

[Thistle]

Do the new Guilds have different neck profiles or are they basically the same shape?

I had a D-50 which didn't have the sound I was after so I sold it on and have a D-40 arriving soon. The neck on the D-50 was quite D-shaped and after playing it the heel of my palm hurt quite a bit. I suspect the D-40 will have the same neck, I am hoping it won't be as much of a problem as when I flatpick I tend not to grip the neck at all and mostly have my thumb resting on the back of the neck. I have a hard time not gripping the neck for strumming, and I use my thumb to fret the low E string a fair bit.

I have quite an interest in the GAD Guilds but am wondering if they have the same neck shape. I prefer low profile sort of necks, but the Larrivee necks (1 3/4" or 1 11/16") are both fine too. I think my hands may be a bit small for "chunky" necks.

Nobody carries any Guilds near where I live so I can't try them out at a shop.

Thanks for your help!

 

[Frosty]

Hello Thistle.

I have played D-50 and D-55 guitars and they each have a full profile neck, as you describe, so I would guess this is shared by the D-40. The D-55 does not taper much between the nut and the heel - this is a unique feature among modern dreadnought guitars in my experience.

I think the full profile compensates for the 1 11/16" nut. For example, some folks assert that they can not fingerpick on a guitar unless the nut is 1 3/4". That may be so for them, but again my experience teaches me that the neck profile is equally important. The full profile creates a hand geometry that enables an 11/16" width to work just fine. YMMV.

 

[zplay]

Hello Thistle.

I have played D-50 and D-55 guitars and they each have a full profile neck, as you describe, so I would guess this is shared by the D-40. The D-55 does not taper much between the nut and the heel - this is a unique feature among modern dreadnought guitars in my experience.

I think the full profile compensates for the 1 11/16" nut. For example, some folks assert that they can not fingerpick on a guitar unless the nut is 1 3/4". That may be so for them, but again my experience teaches me that the neck profile is equally important. The full profile creates a hand geometry that enables an 11/16" width to work just fine. YMMV.

Good point about the interaction of the neck profile and nut width/string spacing. Anybody have any idea whether or not the newer F-30s and -40s use a similar profile?

 

[CWood8656]

Hi Thistle,

I have played a bunch of GAD guitars in the past week, ended up with a GAD-40CE. I also played a Tacoma dread with cutaway and electronics, can't remember the model number. The necks on the GADs seem pretty small to me, less depth front to back than the Tacoma, maybe nearly as small as the neck on my Les Paul copy.

Don't know if that's any help, hope so.

Chris.

 

[Thistle]

Thanks - it sounds like the GAD's would be okay for me!

 

[CWood8656]

I'm not by any means an expert as are some on this forum. Too bad you can't get a chance to try out a GAD. Perhaps someone else will chime in on this thread.

Chris.

 

[bluegrass jubilee]

D40
D50
F30/40

Each get separate neck profiles

 

[Thistle]

D40
D50
F30/40

Each get separate neck profiles

wow - so how does the D40 compare to the D50?

 

[zplay]

D40
D50
F30/40

Each get separate neck profiles

D40
D50
F30/40

Each get separate neck profiles

wow - so how does the D40 compare to the D50?

.... And the D40 and 50 with the Fs?

 

[Thistle]

Not sure if it matters but I am talking about the D40 and D50 Bluegrass models. :?: