L7 vs Triumph neck

[Rickco]

40s L7 vs 40s Triumph necks, I know the L7s are generally chunky can anyone compare them to Triumphs? Fatter,wider? Looking to aquire one or the other need more info, leaning toward Epi for non cut acoustic.

[ThatRhythmMan]

It’s going to vary, but as a general rule in my experience, Epis from the 1940s have necks that are fairly chunky also, generally around 0.9” at the first fret. The shape generally varies from C to soft V. They usually hover around a 1 3/4” nut width, but that can vary too.


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[Stringswinger]

I have owned three Epiphone Triumps (and played a few others) and they all had a soft V neck. Chuck has said that some have a C profile. I wonder if those are guitars that have had a luthier reshape them? Every L-7 that I have played had a C profile neck. Thickness in both models have run the gamut from medium to very chunky.

[ThatRhythmMan]

I have owned three Epiphone Triumps (and played a few others) and they all had a soft V neck. Chuck has said that some have a C profile. I wonder if those are guitars that have had a luthier reshape them? Every L-7 that I have played had a C profile neck. Thickness in both models have run the gamut from medium to very chunky.

One hundred percent not reshaped necks, although the C-shaped necks tend to be pre-war 1940s.


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[ThatRhythmMan]

Accidental repost

[Rickco]

Man, I was hoping you guys would chime in. Im jumping into waters I have no buisness in. Im looking for a 30s 40s 17" full depth non cut all carved acoustic that ideally would be the Epi or Gib. A slimmer neck would be ok. Any suggestions of other models to look at much appreciated.

[daverepair]

Either a '40's Gibson L-7, or a '40's Epiphone Triumph, is going to be very playable: IME, the Gibsons will have the 'C' neck, the Epis will have the somewhat chunky, slightly 'V' neck. Different, and both comfortable(For me, NY Epiphones have the most consistently comfortable and playable necks of all). I currently have a '45 Triumph, and I used to have a '48 National model 1135(made by Gibson, essentially an L-7 with National badging). I like the Epiphone 'bark', and I think it really would come down to which sound one prefers, as they are different. Epiphones are usually a better deal, too.

I think the late '40's Triumph Regent cutaways are simply superb.

[omphalopsychos]

Different radius too. Gibsons from that period tend to be flatter, 12" radius. Epiphones feel more like 9-10". I have not measured but that's what my left hand thinks.

I think Epiphones tend to have narrower nut.


Both of those observations are for 40s+ epiphones. The 30s have more variability from both brands. I've played some 30s epiphones with very flat fretboards and wide nuts.

[ThatRhythmMan]

Different radius too. Gibsons from that period tend to be flatter, 12" radius. Epiphones feel more like 9-10". I have not measured but that's what my left hand thinks.

I think Epiphones tend to have narrower nut.


Both of those observations are for 40s+ epiphones. The 30s have more variability from both brands. I've played some 30s epiphones with very flat fretboards and wide nuts.

Every 1940s Epiphone nut I’ve measured has been between 1 11/16” to slightly over 1 3/4”, most closer to 1 3/4”.


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[omphalopsychos]

Well you definitely have more experience than I do. I know the feel of a neck can be deceptive.