I think I might have solved a misconception

[shred4Him]

I have heard for years, and have had some personal problems with, that Music Man necks are too thin. It always kind of threw me. I have picked up guitars with necks just as thin or thinner (my son's mini squier) but haven't had problems. It dawned on me recently. Does it have to do with the string spacing of the bridge? Is the bridge more of a vintage strat spacing as opposed to a narrower modern spacing? The more vintage spacing will put the two e strings very close to the edge of the fretboard. Using a modern spacing will take the strings off of the edges and give a bit more room. All of this is based on the assumption that the string spacing on the EBMM bridges is more of a vintage spacing.

Thoughts?

 

[shred4Him]

I should say "narrow." I used the wrong term.

 

[agt]

No problems here. EBMM necks are perfect IMHO.

 

[shred4Him]

Not saying that there is a problem. I am suggesting that the perception that the necks are too narrow by some might have more to do with the string spacing on the bridge than the width of the neck. Not picking on the necks at all. Neck feel is a truly personal preference.

 

[stealthtastic]

Not saying that there is a problem. I am suggesting that the perception that the necks are too narrow by some might have more to do with the string spacing on the bridge than the width of the neck. Not picking on the necks at all. Neck feel is a truly personal preference.

Possibly, I don't find them that narrow? But I'm used to ibanez 7 strings so..

 

[xjbebop]

Neck feel is a truly personal preference.

It's this simple.....some people just don't like the feel of certain necks.
Doesn't mean there is anything wrong with them...

 

[cionian]

I have heard for years, and have had some personal problems with, that Music Man necks are too thin. It always kind of threw me. I have picked up guitars with necks just as thin or thinner (my son's mini squier) but haven't had problems. It dawned on me recently. Does it have to do with the string spacing of the bridge? Is the bridge more of a vintage strat spacing as opposed to a narrower modern spacing? The more vintage spacing will put the two e strings very close to the edge of the fretboard. Using a modern spacing will take the strings off of the edges and give a bit more room. All of this is based on the assumption that the string spacing on the EBMM bridges is more of a vintage spacing.

Thoughts?

I think you're right. Before I got mine I've only played an LP which has a wider space for the edges and it did take a while to adjust to the new neck (the low and high e kept sliding off! ). Once you do, it's fine.

 

[DrKev]

At least three things to consider here...

Neck width at nut (and/or string spacing at nut)
Neck width at heel
String spacing at bridge

Correct me if I'm wrong (and I may well be, this is something of a mine field to navigate)...

Neck width the nut - Music Man necks (excluding the JPs) are narrow. A hair narrower than vintage strats and Les Pauls which are themselves narrower than modern strats. The JP guitars are a tiny bit wider at the nut than modern strats.

String spacing at the bridge (for all Music Man models except AL and Morse models) is in between the vintage strat and LPs and modern strat spacings. (Les Paul spacing is similar to vintage strat, BTW).

Incidentally, on the EVH guitars, the neck width at the heel was a little narrower than the Axis currently is (as that was EVHs preference) which for some players caused the string to slip off the finger board at the higher frets. That issue was fixed when EVH left EBMM and the Axis was born.

 

[Siddius]

I can most certainly tell the difference in nut width between my balls and other guitars. The necks do feel smaller because of nut width and contour. I almost cannot bend my left wrist anymore, so the difference in nut width is not only very noticeable, but a key drawing factor, as it makes low-fret and low string riffs easier to play without having to bend the wrist as much. What is funny is that this thread starts out with this concept as something of a problem that needs to be solved, while I find it to be one of the many drawing factors of ebmm.

 

[shred4Him]

The nut width is slightly more narrow than other guitars. My point really is that the bridge saddle spacing exaggerates the feel of narrow. The Axis has a heel that is the same width as a Strat. The Silhouette Special has a heel width that is the same as a Charvel. The strings on the Silo are closer to the edge of the fretboard by the heel than a Charvel. The neck isn't more narrow there. I am suggesting that the saddle-to-saddle width on the Silo is wider than a Charvel, which gives an impression that the neck is more narrow through the entire length. I recently played a Pacifica that has an even more narrow neck than the Silo. The string spacing kept the strings further from the edge of the fretboard. The overall impression, to me, was that the neck didn't come across as narrow.

I am just making general observations about perceptions and how string spacing can affect them. I am not criticizing anything at all. Hopefully I am not coming across that way.

 

[AJS]

I can most certainly tell the difference in nut width between my balls

Really? You did this on purpose lol.

 

[AJS]

When I first got my Luke 3, the neck at the nut seemed much narrower than any guitar I've played, but with the soft V shape of the neck it fit perfectly in my hand. After a few weeks I got used to the strings being closer to the edge of the neck and now it just feels right.