Takamine Guitars

Takamine Craftsmanship: the neck

What's the perfect neck shape? A hundred years ago, the wide classical shape with a flat fingerboard was the only shape considered "proper". But we've become more open-minded since then. Some players feel you can never be too thin, while others feel it's phat to be fat. It's that personal taste thing again.

The "grab a handful of chord" style of early folk players made the narrow 'V' popular. Early electrics had this shape as well. Jazz and pop players gravitated to a thinner neck with an arched fingerboard. Our guitars have what you might call a "modified 'C' shape" - thin from front to back, medium in width, with a gentle fingerboard arch. Most everyone agrees that this shape is comfortable and ergonomic for barre and open chords, fingerstyle patterns and soloing - even grabbing a handful. Perfect.