V-neck

[JWMandy]

Curiosity's got me here. I've read the Loar LH600 has a V-neck, and on a thread comparing it with a Gibson re-issue and then a google of various Gibsons, that some of the old axes had V-necks, too As someone relatively new to archtops (out of Classicals) Rob Mackillop's comments on discomfort of the LOAR LH700's V-neck pushed me to try to find a shot of the neck shape. LOAR's site doesn't actually seem to have a close-up and I know plenty don't seem to complain. But I found this image and so I'm still curious. Not sure I'd ever want to play a "HARD V" until I'd try it, right? Thoughts? Experience?

[Christian Miller]

I don’t mind it but I have had some people just say they can’t play it. It’s actually less pronounced than the old Gibsons. Those are hard V’s for sure. The Loars are somewhere between that and a medium V I would say.

Apparently it was a thing to make the heavy strings with high action that were necessary for acoustic projection in dance bands etc easier to press down by helping the thumb get some leverage or something like that.

if you like to put your thumb in the centre of the neck ala classical technique I think it would be massively annoying. My thumb is usually higher than that because it kind of needs to be for rhythm guitar for a number of reasons; the guitar is not really designed to be played flat against the body for instance.

But if you want to play chord solo plectrum guitar stuff, you might find it very awkward if you are used to classical position.

If you want a more classical neck, Eastman’s your best option on a not too dissimilar budget. They have widish, flatish necks.

[burchyk]

Never owned one, but have tried an acoustic that had something close to what is called "Medium V" in the picture. It was really comfy for a "palm grip" but as Christian says it would probably be annoying for when one wants to play with a classical grip.

Don't get me started on Strandberg profile

[Filmosound 621]

I play classcial position with the thumb behind the neck.

soft v is okay, but I bought a Santa Cruz 1929-00 with a sharp v-neck once,

that went right back to the shop where I bought it - not playable at all.

[RJVB]

I've said this before, it's easier to take some material off that V-neck than to put it back on

The discontinued LH-650 has a very comfy, somewhat meaty C profile neck, btw.

[lammie200]

I tried a Vee neck profile from Warmoth on one of my partscasters. I didn’t like it. It made the pad of my thumb hurt because the ridge of the Vee is right were I wanted to plant my thumb a great deal of the time. I suppose it all depends on playing style and how light a touch you can get away with. Didn’t work for me.

[mr. beaumont]

I couldn't get along with it. It was fantastic for rhythm playing, but the guitar sounded so good I wanted to play all kinds of stuff on it, stuff that required a thumb on the back of the neck too.

In the end I just found the guitar frustrating and sold it. Bummer, it really did sound great.

[JohanAbrandt]

I have a tele with a replacement fat soft v neck. Not very comfy, but it sounds very good. There is something about really light bodies with really chunky necks

[mad dog]

There is something about really light bodies with really chunky necks

Could be something to that. My favorite tele is a partscaster. Spanish cedar body, light, with two P90s. Tried different necks, ended up with an Allparts TMO-FAT. Maple board. I think it was sanded down a bit on the back, but it's still quite chunky. Probably the fattest neck I've spent time with. In some ways, not ideal, not my preference. So I'm always looking for other necks. Then I play it again, and marvel at the sound. Which very well could be - at least in part - due to that fat neck.

So the neck stays. I'd like something a little slimmer, but I would hate to lose that fat sound.

[lammie200]

Could be something to that. My favorite tele is a partscaster. Spanish cedar body, light, with two P90s. Tried different necks, ended up with an Allparts TMO-FAT. Maple board. I think it was sanded down a bit on the back, but it's still quite chunky. Probably the fattest neck I've spent time with. In some ways, not ideal, not my preference. So I'm always looking for other necks. Then I play it again, and marvel at the sound. Which very well could be - at least in part - due to that fat neck.

So the neck stays. I'd like something a little slimmer, but I would hate to lose that fat sound.

TMO necks are still pretty chunky. They just have a smaller taper backwards from the 12th fret rather than a full chunk straight through. TMO are my favorite Allparts necks and I prefer them over necks from any of the other major makers. And I have tried a bunch them - Warmoth, Musikraft, Mighty Mite, Best Guitar Parts, USACG, and probably at least one or two that I am forgetting. Not that any of those are bad places to get necks. It just that Allparts necks hit all the bases and work well off the shelf for me.

Also, I agree. Necks are a major component of the sound and dense necks fatten it up IMHO. Gotta have it in my book.

[2bornot2bop]

I couldn't get along with it. It was fantastic for rhythm playing, but the guitar sounded so good I wanted to play all kinds of stuff on it, stuff that required a thumb on the back of the neck too.

In the end I just found the guitar frustrating and sold it. Bummer, it really did sound great.

I recall how much you liked it. Why didn’t you purchase a LH700, which has a neck like the LH650? I sold my LH700 here several years back for $899. Mint as hell.

[mr. beaumont]

I recall how much you liked it. Why didn’t you purchase a LH700, which has a neck like the LH650? I sold my LH700 here several years back for $899. Mint as hell.

I think at the time I bought, I was under the impression the 700 also had a V neck, and I got a great deal on an "open box" 600 that i bought sight unseen.

Also, I was hoping for a soft V, as actually thats what I have on my tele, and I love it. The Loar V was just too pronounced.

Should have just kept it and used it as a rhythm box, but thats how it goes sometimes.

[2bornot2bop]

I think at the time I bought, I was under the impression the 700 also had a V neck, and I got a great deal on an "open box" 600 that i bought sight unseen.

Also, I was hoping for a soft V, as actually thats what I have on my tele, and I love it. The Loar V was just too pronounced.

Should have just kept it and used it as a rhythm box, but thats how it goes sometimes.

You’re correct. I confused it with my LH650. I couldn’t play the 700 either because of the V. Fabulous guitar otherwise though.

[RJVB]

You’re correct. I confused it with my LH650. I couldn’t play the 700 either because of the V. Fabulous guitar otherwise though.

The 650 is pretty nice too in my book (and I'm talking about its acoustic voice)!

As to the necks (and not addressing anyone in particular)...
Write to them! I've been in contact with Sam of The Loar company about a number of things, and they do seem to listen to feedback. Apparently there are many customers who do like the V neck but he agreed they should probably bring back a model with a more modern neck (when I pointed out that it could be logical to offer a modern neck profile as a build option on the more luxurious version).

[Gitterbug]

I think none of the cross-sections in OP's post illustrate the feel of a v-neck with a pointed angle in the middle. The drawings all show it rounded. Whether a 50s L-7 or a modern Loar, I've found the real-life V-necks a deal-breaker.