15-Minute Comprehensive Guide to Guitar Necks

Maximize your playing potential with our guide to guitar necks. Learn how construction, profile, fretwork, and finish influence your playing.

Exploring the Heart of Guitar Playability

The guitar neck is far more than a mere component—it’s full of details and features that we must continuously explore and learn.

It’s where the action takes place. It stands as the bridge between the player and their instrument, wielding considerable influence over the playability and tone of the guitar.

At its core, the guitar neck is a masterpiece of craftsmanship.

In-Depth Guide to Guitar Necks

The guitar neck is the long, thin wooden section of the guitar where you play the strings. It connects the head to the body, affecting how it sounds and feels when you play.

Guitar Neck Parts

At first glance, the prominent features of the neck are typically the fretboard, strings, and frets. But there’s more to it than meets the eye. The neck of a guitar also includes the guitar’s tuners, headstock, and truss rod.

• Fretboard: The flat part on top of the guitar neck where you press the strings to play different notes. Fretboards are commonly crafted from rosewood, maple, or ebony to withstand damage. The back part of the neck can be made from the same or different wood, like maple on maple or rosewood on mahogany. It contains markings (either dots, lines, or blocks) to indicate fret positions and helps guide the player’s fingers along the neck.

• Strings: Thin metal or nylon cords stretched across the fretboard and body of the guitar, which are plucked or strummed to produce sound. Each string is tuned to a specific pitch, where different combinations create chords and melodies.

• Frets: These are raised metal strips embedded into the fretboard at intervals along the neck. When the player presses a string against a fret, it changes the length of the vibrating portion, producing different pitches. Frets enable precise tuning and facilitate playing melodies and chords with accuracy.

• Tuners: Also known as machine heads or tuning pegs, tuners are knobs on the headstock of a guitar. They allow the player to adjust the tension of the strings, making them tighter or looser to tune the guitar.

• Headstock: The top part of the guitar neck, across from the body. It holds the tuners and strings, often displaying the guitar’s logo.

• Truss Rod: A metal rod inside the neck of the guitar, usually accessed through a small opening in the headstock or fretboard. The truss rod supports the neck’s structure and lets you adjust its curve or relief. Tightening or loosening it deals with changes in string tension, keeping the guitar playing well and stable. A well-adjusted truss rod solves problems like fret buzz and intonation issues. It also helps stabilize the neck.

Guitar Neck Specs

Now, let’s dive into the details. As a beginner, it’s helpful to get a preview of the technical aspects of guitar necks through their specifications. Guitar shops typically provide these specs for each guitar on display.

• Neck Material
• Neck Finish
• Neck Shape
• Neck Joint
• Neck Width
• Neck Depth
• Fretboard Radius
• Fingerboard Material
• Fingerboard Inlay
• Number of Frets
• Scale Length
• Nut Width
• Nut Material

👉 Neck Material

The type of wood or material used to construct the neck of the guitar. It influences tone, stability, weight, and overall feel. The wood options include maple, mahogany, or rosewood.

👉 Neck Finish

The guitar neck finish is the surface coating or treatment applied to the wood. This finish protects the wood from moisture and wear, enhancing the appearance and affecting the feel of the neck. Neck finishes include gloss, satin, and oil finishes, each offering different levels of smoothness and grip.

• Gloss Finish: Shiny and reflective, like a polished surface. It can feel a bit sticky in humid conditions.
• Satin Finish: Smooth and matte, with minimal shine. It feels natural and comfortable to touch.
• Oil Finish: Deepens the wood’s color and grain, providing a smooth and natural feel. Requires occasional reapplication for maintenance.

👉 Neck Profile

The contour or shape of the back of the neck, which can vary from C-shaped to U-shaped to V-shaped to D-shaped, affects the feel and comfort of the player.

Popular neck profiles include:

• C-shaped: Rounded like the letter ‘C’ — it’s comfortable and fits nicely in the hand.
• U-shaped: A more pronounced curve like the letter “U” and offers ample support for larger hands.
• V-shaped: Angular and pointed, with a ridge for thumb support.
• D-shaped: Combines rounded and flattened sections, offering a comfortable grip with extra thumb support.

👉 Neck Joint

The guitar neck joint is where the guitar’s neck meets its body. It can be bolt-on, set neck, or neck-through construction.

• Bolt-on Neck: This type of neck joint involves attaching the neck to the guitar body using bolts or screws. The neck has a flat surface where it meets the body and can be easily removed and replaced. This type of neck is common in electric guitars and offers easy access for adjustments and repairs.

• Set Neck: In set neck construction, the neck is glued permanently to the guitar body, creating a firm bond that improves sustain and resonance. Set necks are often found in electric and some acoustic guitars, but they’re harder to repair or replace than bolt-on necks.

• Neck-Thru: The neck extends through the entire length of the body. It provides excellent stability, sustain, and access to higher frets. Neck-through guitars often have a distinctive appearance, with the body wings attached to the sides of the neck. They are commonly found in high-end electric guitars and basses.

👉 Neck Width

The width of the guitar neck across the fretboard is measured at various points along the neck, such as at the nut or the 12th fret. It gives an overall sense of how wide the neck feels in the player’s hand and affects how comfortable it is to fret chords and play single notes.

👉 Neck Depth

The guitar neck depth is the thickness or profile of the neck from front to back, which affects how the neck feels in the player’s hand.

👉 Fretboard Radius

Fretboard radius is the curvature of the fretboard surface, typically measured in inches, which affects how flat or curved the fretboard feels and how easy it is to play chord shapes, bending notes, and other techniques.

Fingerboard Material

The material used for the fretboard can be rosewood, maple, or ebony. It can affect the tone and feel of the guitar.

Fingerboard Inlay

Decorative markers or designs on the fretboard surface are typically placed at fret positions to help players navigate the neck.

Common types include:

• Dot inlays: Small dots or circles placed at fret positions, typically at frets 3, 5, 7, 9, 12, 15, 17, and 19.
• Trapezoid inlays: Trapezoid-shaped markers are usually found on the fretboard of guitars, particularly on the higher frets.
• Block inlays: Rectangular or square-shaped markers placed at fret positions, often used on higher-end guitars for a classic aesthetic.
• Bird inlays: Intricate designs resembling bird shapes, commonly seen on high-quality guitars for a distinctive look.
• Custom or specialty inlays: Unique designs or symbols customized to the player’s preference, ranging from initials to intricate patterns.

Number of Frets

The number of metal frets embedded into the fretboard determines the range of notes that can be played on the guitar.

• Acoustic guitars commonly feature 19 to 21 frets, though some may have as few as 18 or as many as 24 frets. 
• Electric guitars often boast between 21 and 24 frets, with 22 being a common standard, though models designed for shredding or extended-range playing may exceed 24 frets. 
• Classical guitars, on the other hand, traditionally house 19 frets, though modern designs may extend to 20 or 21 frets.

Guitars typically vary in the number of frets depending on their type and model. 

Scale Length

Scale length is the distance between the nut and the bridge saddle, affecting string tension and overall playability. The most common guitar scale lengths typically fall within 24 to 25.5 inches.

Here are some examples:

• Fender Stratocaster, Telecaster, Jazzmaster: 25.5 inches
• Fender Jaguar: 24 inches 
• Gibson Les Paul: 24.75 inches
• Gibson SG: 24.75 inches
• PRS Custom 24: 25 inches

Nut Width

It refers to the width of the nut, the small piece at the top of the fretboard where the strings pass over before reaching the tuners. Nut width is a crucial measurement because it determines the spacing of the strings and affects how they feel and play.

Nut Material

The material used for the nut, such as bone, plastic, or synthetic materials, affects string vibration and sustain.

Explore Your Neck Options!

Your playing style and comfort should guide your choices.

Don’t rush the process—take the opportunity to test out various guitar necks. Finding the perfect fit will elevate your guitar journey and help you reach your full potential as a musician.

Take your time learning about guitar necks—one step at a time.