what's your preferred tele neck specs?

sesshin · #1 10-24-2011, 09:44 PM

Hi. I'm about to buy my first tele and would like to ask the guitarists here what they prefer when it comes to playability on a tele neck. I'm trying to learn complex chord melodies, so anything that would assist in that would be ideal.

nut width, fretboard radius, fret size and back contour seem to be the variables most affecting playability. How do you prefer yours?

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #2 10-24-2011, 11:06 PM

This would be my ideal. Someone like Warmoth or USACG would have to make it.

Nut width: 1 3/4". Wider, like 1 7/8" I wouldn't kick out of bed.
Radius: On the flat side, maybe a 10" to 16" compound radius
Fret Size: vintage (6230)
back contour: fat (1" at 1st fret)

I just like a meaty neck for less hand fatigue. Smaller fretwire is fine if you are not bending strings and gives more space between upper frets.

For woods, I like it LP style: ebony on quartersawn mahogany. And a bone nut.

morroben · #3 10-25-2011, 12:31 AM

Nut width: 1 5/8"
Radius: 10"-16" compound radius
Fret Size: 6230
Contour: fat, asymmetrical, soft V

Tom Karol · #4 10-25-2011, 06:57 AM

Nut Width: 1 11/16"
Radius: 10"-12"
Fret Size' Tall and narrow (Dunlop 6105)
Contour: Not-too-pronounced "U" with soft edges
Note: None of my guitars actually have this exact combination of specs!

oldane · #5 10-25-2011, 08:33 AM

25½" scale, 1 3/4" nut width, 12" fretboard radius, smaller old fashioned frets, C-shape.

Of course, Fender doesn't offer that, so it will have to be a custom neck from say Warmoth.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #6 10-25-2011, 09:48 AM

I forgot: I think it goes without saying if you don't mention otherwise, the scale should be 25 1/2". That's part of the Tele sound.

And rounded edges on the fretboard.

Meggy · #7 10-26-2011, 11:27 AM

On my recently completed self-built Tele, I have a 9.5" radius maple neck which I'm really starting to dig a lot. Wasn't so keen at first, but it seems pretty nice now. I don't think I'd go for a lower radius than that though.

odranborg · #8 10-27-2011, 02:18 AM

fretboard radius

oldane · #9 10-27-2011, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by odranborg

fretboard radius

Yes, fretboard radius - the slight curvature across the fretboard (not lengthwise, of course). Sometimes called neck radius, but to be exact, it's the fretboard radius we are dealing with here.