SG Neck Question. Not Slim Taper

[Gary Gretsch]

Not sure how to phrase this. So I have a 2022 SG Junior which I love. The most comfortable guitar I have. There is a but. But I do not like the slim taper neck after playing for a while my thumb and wrist start to hurt. So I am looking for something with a fatter neck. What I found is the Toni Iommi Epiphone and Gibson, The SG Standard, And the SG Tribute. Custom shop guitars are way out of my price range. So I do not want the Tribute. That leaves the Standard Or Toni Iommi. I like P90's and although really not the same as the Gibson The Epiphone will work. Anyone know how the Toni Iommi would be for a all around guitar for other types of music besides metal? Any other suggestions?
Thanks

 

[laza616]

I just bought a Special 60's tribute Sg from 2011 it has p90s and the neck on it is like on my 2009 SG standard - not slim taper, not total chunky, something chunkier but not a complete thick elephant's leg

 

[Gary Gretsch]

It is almost starting to look like if you want a decent neck you have to buy a older guitar. Gibson is not offering a lot of choices. All but 3 styles are Slim taper.

 

[Snake Plissken]

I’ve never been much of a fan of the slim taper neck and always preferred the chunky necks on the discontinued SG Classics (the one with P90’s).

But not all slim taper necks are the same. The neck on my 2019 ‘61 Standard is pretty substantial and noticeably gets fatter as you go up the neck. It’s not as chunky as those older Classics, but even side by side other SG Standards and ‘61 Standards the one on mine is noticeably beefier.

 

[Col Mustard]

IMHO general statements about Gibson necks are not
usually very accurate. They always sound subjective to me.
(two guys play and discuss the same neck... on thinks it's too
thick, one thinks it's too thin. I don't get it.)

Also, Gibson necks traditionally were made with a lot of hand work.
I don't know if that's still true, but it might be. Which also would
invalidate general statements made on internet sites.

So the only way to find one you like is to go where they sell them
and play as many as they'll let you. Buy the one which comes alive
in your hands. that's how you know.

Or else (and this is my recommendation)...
Pick the guitar for the song based on its tone (not the neck shape).
Make your mind up that the human hand can play any instrument
from a double bass to a mandolin with no problems.

If your thumb and wrist start to hurt, consider your posture.
Assume there's nothing wrong with your guitar. If it's your posturee
or your hand positions, you can control that.

Most guys on internet fora will simply tell you to buy something
that they favor.
I say keep your thumb behind the neck and play with a relaxed hand
and you can play any neck shape.

 

[Snake Plissken]

IMHO general statements about Gibson necks are not
usually very accurate. They always sound subjective to me.
(two guys play and discuss the same neck... on thinks it's too
thick, one thinks it's too thin. I don't get it.)

Also, Gibson necks traditionally were made with a lot of hand work.
I don't know if that's still true, but it might be. Which also would
invalidate general statements made on internet sites.

So the only way to find one you like is to go where they sell them
and play as many as they'll let you. Buy the one which comes alive
in your hands. that's how you know.

Or else (and this is my recommendation)...
Pick the guitar for the song based on its tone (not the neck shape).
Make your mind up that the human hand can play any instrument
from a double bass to a mandolin with no problems.

If your thumb and wrist start to hurt, consider your posture.
Assume there's nothing wrong with your guitar. If it's your posturee
or your hand positions, you can control that.

Most guys on internet fora will simply tell you to buy something
that they favor.
I say keep your thumb behind the neck and play with a relaxed hand
and you can play any neck shape.

There's truth to this.

Before the internet and forums telling us what we must like and dislike, people pretty much played whatever they played. Now everyone is an expert with such discernible taste and only the finest, most perfect guitars with only the perfect neck will do.

I dont even have huge hands and I can play anything. Don't care if it's a thin neck, a fat neck, etc., if its a guitar I like and it sounds good, Im not going to be a snob and/or limit myself to one neck profile. Sure, I ahve things I like better, but would never turn down a guitar because I only play a certain neck profile. I had a phenomenal Gibson AJ acoustic that was a monster of a guitar and had a family thin neck profile. I have a Fender American Original 50's Telel neck on a partscaster right now that's very substantial. I have a somewhat rare Fender AV 50's Hot Rod Strat with this D-shaped neck profile. My SG has a skim taper neck. I've owned Waterloo acoustics with these giant V-shaped necks. All were/are awesome guitars and I could play them all equally well (or equally bad?)

My point is, I'm sure there are plenty who limit themselves and think they can only play this or that neck profile, but when it comes down to it they're just lying to themselves. Sure, there are the very small minority that may have some sort of physiologic issue, but that's a really small percentage and everyone else is jsut making excuses. Sort of like those people that can't lose weight and say it's a glandular problem, when in reality it's because they eat too much and don't run around the block enough.

 

[TheDixiePig]

I switch back and forth between bass and guitar, and have no problem. A p-bass couldn't be more different than a Gibson slim taper, I have no problems adapting to either. I think this experience has led me to be less picky when it comes to neck shapes/widths.

 

[Gary Gretsch]

Very true. I do sometims think the way I hold my thumb is part of my problem. I have been trying to place my thumb differently.