Question for Loar owners.

**SamBooka** · 06-12-2014, 01:12 PM

Did you eventually get used to the V neck?

**oldane** · 06-12-2014, 01:30 PM

I don't have a Loar, but I do have an old 1934 Gibson L37 which has the typical 1930s V-neck (and 1.75" nut width). I don't have problems playing it. I do like a round neck better, though, which fits my "thumb at the back of the neck" playing style better.

**mr. beaumont** · 06-12-2014, 01:34 PM

Not for everything. For chunking out big band style rhythm thpugh, I find it very comfortable.

**pubylakeg** · 06-12-2014, 02:57 PM

Good question, as that was the single factor that I was most apprehensive about in the decision to buy a Loar. It is an issue, and perhaps somebody who was very particular about neck shapes might pass on the model as a result.
It's pretty chunky, but I've had my string spacing narrowed at the nut, and the fretboard edge rounded off a little. The end result feels more like an electric (I'd say the factory setup is more like a flat top acoustic in feel). They also come with narrow, vintage style frets, which also figures in the playing feel.
In absolute terms, I've gotten used to the neck, and greatly enjoy playing it. As I mentioned in another recent post, I do use "thumb over" chord voicings. The ability to execute these varies from one guitar to another, and the girth of the Loar neck does render some of these type of grips infeasible. However, I have other guitars. I don't really look for a "perfect" neck shape on every guitar, but basically just try and work with the tools to hand.
It's definitely a good idea to try one out before a purchase. You might feel different about the neck for your own hands or style of playing.
Hope this is of some interest.
All The Best.

**Rob MacKillop** · 06-12-2014, 03:06 PM

In a word, no. I sold it for that reason.

**docbop** · 06-12-2014, 03:37 PM

I like big necks and have what Fender calls a "soft-V" neck strat, but as much as I've tried I just can't get into the Loar necks. I tried a few they are great guitars for the money, but the neck is just too much V for me.

**SamBooka** · 06-12-2014, 04:00 PM

Thanks .. I have played a few for a short time and my first reaction is .. errr.. not.
But I am looking for something like an L4 that I dont have to feel a) guilty about drilling holes in and cutting up and b)dont have to feel guilty about spending 5K that I dont have.

So Loars, which were originally off the radar, are slowly creeping back.

**monk** · 06-12-2014, 04:25 PM

I got a great deal on an LH-600 in a local shop a couple of years back and returned it after three days. I loved the sound, both single notes and chords, but that neck just wore me out. I also think that the lower neck angle sacrifices some volume.

If they ever built one with a C or U neck and a slightly steeper neck angle, like they use on their electric guitars, I would definitely give them another look.

**Scot Tremblay** · 06-12-2014, 04:46 PM

The Loar LH 650 VS has a C shaped neck. I'm not sure how common they are in stores but there always seems to be a few on the big auction site.

I tried one before I got my Peerless, really liked it, went home to think about it, went back to buy it, found it gone...you snooze you loose!

**campusfive** · 06-12-2014, 04:47 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

Thanks .. I have played a few for a short time and my first reaction is .. errr.. not.
But I am looking for something like an L4 that I dont have to feel a) guilty about drilling holes in and cutting up and b)dont have to feel guilty about spending 5K that I dont have.

So Loars, which were originally off the radar, are slowly creeping back.

If you're thinking of drilling holes/cutting it up, why even bother with something as nice as an L4. Why not pick a beater L50 or L48?

Wait - how much surgery are you planning? And if you're planning on surgery anyway - why not have the neck shaved?

And yeah, the neck angle could be better, but I've been pleasantly surprised with how good they can sound when properly set up. I borrowed one when we played in North Carolina, and the owner had 12's on it, which I changed to 13's. It was amazing how the guitar just came to life. Totally blew me away. For under $1000? C'mon - amazing.

**Rob MacKillop** · 06-12-2014, 04:53 PM

I think 2Bop has one with a C neck.

**monk** · 06-12-2014, 05:50 PM

Originally Posted by Scot Tremblay

The Loar LH 650 VS has a C shaped neck. I'm not sure how common they are in stores but there always seems to be a few on the big auction site.

I tried one before I got my Peerless, really liked it, went home to think about it, went back to buy it, found it gone...you snooze you loose!

The LH-650 is a cutaway electric. I have electric archtops. If SamBooka is looking for a reasonably priced solid wood, electric archtop guitar with a vintage vibe and C neck, that would be a good choice.

I was looking for a non-cutaway, solid wood acoustic archtop guitar. For some reason, they are committed to building their acoustic archtops as precise copies of the 1929 L-5. I called the Loar Company and asked if they had plans to offer their acoustics with anything other than a V neck. I was told "Not in the foreseeable future".

**SamBooka** · 06-12-2014, 09:06 PM

Oh.. I didn't know the 650 had a C neck.. I tried a few other models but not that and the V irked me.
So yeah.. it is specifically a 650 I am looking at although since I thought they were the same a 350 would have passed muster. Not crazy about shaving down the neck since I like them fairly deep anyway and I would probably just make things worse (or at best bearable). I didn't like the neck angle on the ones I played either and I don't think I would like to do a reset myself (yet) but there seemed to be enough room to shave a bit off the bottom of a stewmac bridge. I would have to measure.

Not really major surgery but I could see a neck P90 in that guys future. Not surface mounted so probably have to clip a little bit of brace. And the contols would be mounted on the body. Nothing major. On the fence.. I used to be able to switch from my ES165 to my 125 when I got bored and switch back. Getting bored again and neither are doing it for me.. maybe I will try some different strings first.

**monk** · 06-12-2014, 10:17 PM

The Loar Model 33 really looked promising until I discovered that it has the V neck.

The Loar - Model 33

**randomman123** · 06-12-2014, 10:41 PM

I got used to both of my Loars. No problems here. Extremely happy with them. I have a Loar LH-300 and a LH-280.

-Zane

**Woody Sound** · 06-13-2014, 08:55 AM

Whoa, thanks for the head's up - I was considering getting one of these but I hate V necks.

**Greentone** · 06-13-2014, 04:59 PM

I play a '38 Gibson L50. Main acoustic for over 40 years. When I tried the Loars my first thought was--they got the neck carve right. Yes...you DO get used to the neck. It feels like home now.

**D.G.** · 06-13-2014, 05:18 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

Did you eventually get used to the V neck?

Yes. I was a bit worried about it (309) when I first bought it, but I quickly adjusted and now I adjust between a wide variety of neck shapes/sizes/scale lengths with only about 3 to 5 seconds of adjustment time.

**GodinFan** · 06-13-2014, 05:27 PM

I love the V-neck on my Loar Lh-300.

**miken** · 06-14-2014, 11:13 AM

I read this thread the other day, and yesterday was playing my LH300 and thinking about the neck shape. I have decided that I actually like the V-shape quite a bit. Before that I didn't put a lot of thought into it. I switch between guitars a lot. so I am used to different necks, but, the most different is the Loar's. I think that once you get used to it, you'll like it.
I am really liking that Model 33. From what I've seen on it, it looks like there is only 1 of them. Are they going to make it a production model?

**2bornot2bop** · 06-16-2014, 08:26 PM

Originally Posted by Rob MacKillop

I think 2Bop has one with a C neck.

true:

**2bornot2bop** · 06-16-2014, 08:31 PM

Originally Posted by SamBooka

Oh.. I didn't know the 650 had a C neck.. I tried a few other models but not that and the V irked me.
So yeah.. it is specifically a 650 I am looking at although since I thought they were the same a 350 would have passed muster. Not crazy about shaving down the neck since I like them fairly deep anyway and I would probably just make things worse (or at best bearable). I didn't like the neck angle on the ones I played either and I don't think I would like to do a reset myself (yet) but there seemed to be enough room to shave a bit off the bottom of a stewmac bridge. I would have to measure.

Not really major surgery but I could see a neck P90 in that guys future. Not surface mounted so probably have to clip a little bit of brace. And the contols would be mounted on the body. Nothing major. On the fence.. I used to be able to switch from my ES165 to my 125 when I got bored and switch back. Getting bored again and neither are doing it for me.. maybe I will try some different strings first.

try the Bartolini 5J first...thank 2b later.

**Geert** · 06-17-2014, 05:46 AM

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

try the Bartolini 5J first...thank 2b later.

Or a KA floater.
Love the v-neck on my LH-600 btw. It took some time getting used to, but I love the feeling of really being able to 'push' the notes from the guitar due to the neck. I don't get that feeling playing more regular necks.

**garybaldy** · 12-22-2021, 02:24 PM

Not eventually but immediately.

**Gitterbug** · 12-22-2021, 03:21 PM

The V-neck has saved me a lot of money: not only the reasonable price of a Loar, but the grands asked for a fantastic L-7 at Matt Umanov's in NY about a decade ago. Is there a historic reason for that profile to exist? AFAIK, no contemporary maker uses it.