Neck Conundrum

**Arlan** · 03-21-2022, 04:54 PM

Hello all!

New guy here.

I'm looking for my first real Jazz Box and having an issue with fit. Being of modest height and short of finger I'm looking for a 24.something scale and less than 3 in. depth. This in itself would not be a problem but for the last 15 years I played a Carvin Holdsworth. 25.5in scale, 20in radius and 1.75 nut. I come from a classical beginning and my warped logic told me this would be the closest thing neck wise to the nylon string. The thing is that every gtr I try seems very uncomfortable. The 25.5 I can definitely lose as I can't stretch my fingers like I used to. To me the average nut width of over the counter guitars is real small.

Is this an issue for anyone else? Can someone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks for any feedback!

Dan

**jads57** · 03-22-2022, 01:39 PM

Eastman offers a wide neck 1&3/4” but most are relatively shallow depth. Occasionally one can be found with a fatter depth profile.
This would be a good place to start, especially investment wise.

Other than that you could go custom build with a number of fine luthiers such as Frans Elferink,Mark Campellone, Stephan Holst,etc at the reasonable $$ end of the Archtop builds.

**John A.** · 03-22-2022, 02:18 PM

Originally Posted by Arlan

Hello all!

New guy here.

I'm looking for my first real Jazz Box and having an issue with fit. Being of modest height and short of finger I'm looking for a 24.something scale and less than 3 in. depth. This in itself would not be a problem but for the last 15 years I played a Carvin Holdsworth. 25.5in scale, 20in radius and 1.75 nut. I come from a classical beginning and my warped logic told me this would be the closest thing neck wise to the nylon string. The thing is that every gtr I try seems very uncomfortable. The 25.5 I can definitely lose as I can't stretch my fingers like I used to. To me the average nut width of over the counter guitars is real small.

Is this an issue for anyone else? Can someone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks for any feedback!

Dan

So, you want 3" depth or less + < 25.5" scale length + body depth <=3" + 20" fretboard radius + 1.75" nut? In non-custom guitars, I think that's a unicorn. Eastman has a bunch of different models under 3" with 25" scales and and 1.75" nuts, but 12" fretboard radius (I believe Benedettos have the same dimensions). The Godin 5th Ave series is advertised as 3" deep (the one I had measured a little less), 1.72" nut, 16" fretboard radius, and 24.84" scale. I think those are as close as you can get without a custom build.

**marcwhy** · 03-22-2022, 02:22 PM

Welcome, Arlan!

When it comes to "gear recommendations," my first question is always: budget? Jazz boxes with the specs you're mentioning could be $700 >> $27,000, so where are you in this range?

Thx!

Marc

**Woody Sound** · 03-22-2022, 02:31 PM

How important is the very shallow radius?

**burchyk** · 03-22-2022, 02:50 PM

Ditto on Eastman.. I liked a few that I've tried in stores.

There is one 330 style (fully hollow thinline) in the sale section right now that I would personally consider.

**bluejaybill** · 03-22-2022, 05:31 PM

A 1.75" nut and 25" scale should be available, but the 20" radius is very unusual, is that necessary?

I have two 1 3/4" and 25" scale guitars and they are comfortable for me but I have relatively long fingers.

**citizenk74** · 03-22-2022, 06:17 PM

Originally Posted by Arlan

Hello all!

New guy here.

I'm looking for my first real Jazz Box and having an issue with fit. Being of modest height and short of finger I'm looking for a 24.something scale and less than 3 in. depth. This in itself would not be a problem but for the last 15 years I played a Carvin Holdsworth. 25.5in scale, 20in radius and 1.75 nut. I come from a classical beginning and my warped logic told me this would be the closest thing neck wise to the nylon string. The thing is that every gtr I try seems very uncomfortable. The 25.5 I can definitely lose as I can't stretch my fingers like I used to. To me the average nut width of over the counter guitars is real small.

Is this an issue for anyone else? Can someone steer me in the right direction?

Thanks for any feedback!

Dan

**Jimmy Mack** · 03-22-2022, 11:03 PM

I have had great experience with Ric McCurdy in NYC, if you can travel up north a bit. A master craftsman and a good player, can build anything you desire. And he appreciates versatility. Some very famous players have been using his instruments.

**Arlan** · 03-24-2022, 11:20 AM

Marc

At this point I'm in the $3000.00 range.

Thanks!

**Arlan** · 03-24-2022, 11:24 AM

Woody

I'm sure I could live with a rounder radius. Mabey 14" and up?

Thanks!

**Arlan** · 03-24-2022, 11:28 AM

I guess that's just what I'm used to buy It's not as important as the wide neck. A Fender 7.5 radius would be like playing a stringed pipe!

Thanks!

**Arlan** · 03-24-2022, 11:55 AM

Jimmy

At this time I can do about $3K, a bit short for a custom! I'm retired and we just bought a new house. I have some gear to sell to make some room here, so I'll have more disposable green in the future. Unfortunately there's not any places around here to try archtops. I might have to go the NYC route.

Thanks!

**Arlan** · 03-24-2022, 12:39 PM

Thanks for all the info. I'll have to look at the Godin and Eastman models. The Ibanez gtrs seem very popular also.

I've never been a high gain guy. All my electric playing has been clean to just pushing the edge of overdrive. really looking forward to that fat, clean, warm vibe of an archtop. Of course, once again I'll be searching for the TONE thing...not again...

Dan