Thumb pain after trying a Fender

[PeterVV]

I have been playing nothing but EBMM for the last 5 years, ( mostly Valentine, Cutlass and Albert Lee ) and today tried a Fender Stratocaster with a standard C neck, and a 7.25 radius fretboard. After about a minute the base of my thumb/hand started getting really uncomfortable, and quite painful. Are EBMM necks realy that different from a C ?

 

[ruger9]

I have been playing nothing but EBMM for the last 5 years, ( mostly Valentine, Cutlass and Albert Lee ) and today tried a Fender Stratocaster with a standard C neck, and a 7.25 radius fretboard. After about a minute the base of my thumb/hand started getting really uncomfortable, and quite painful. Are EBMM necks realy that different from a C ?

I can't speak for any EBMM neck other than the Luke, but it's a soft V near the headstock, and turns in to a C as it goes tip the neck.

The "catch" is... it's small. Quite a bit smaller than a Fender Modern C, in every way. When I go from one of my Fenders (or my PRS) to the Luke, the neck almost feels like a toy.

 

[KenKenobi125]

I've been playing a Clapton Strat for 30 years regularly, and what I've found with my long palm and short fingers is, paradoxically, that the V shape helps support my thumb area, like a little ridge to allow me to press down with less strain. The Luke 3 has a very similar profile, and I get the same effect. I find the Fender modern C lacks some of that depth to hold in the 1-5 fret area making strumming not so fun, causing my thumb to radiate paid to my wrist and arm too. I also tend to overgrip, which is something else to consider. I practice lightening my touch....drives me nuts but it helps!