Narrow/Thin (solid-body electric) for beginner?

Mav451 · #1 April 22nd, 2008

My friend showed me a note where I need both the index and pinky finger to hit the highest string (E?). Reason I bring this up is that I couldn't reach it unless I contorted my hand, with my thumb seriously all the way at the bottom of the neck.

I mean, does this mean I can't play a good % of chords then? In my Intro thread, I was recommended the Ibanez with "Wizard Neck". Would this help my case and what model can you guys recommend?

And if not an Ibanez, does anyone else make narrower necks?

eXperiment63 · #2 April 22nd, 2008

I'm guessing you mean lowest, as in the thickest. But for a single note, or a chord, you will never technically have to hit the same string with two fingers, as the one closest to the pickups will sound, and not the one farther away. I'm guessing he was showing you a scale, and the thumb at the bottom of the neck is normal for scales when first starting.

Until your hands get more fluid, you can't reach as far and your fingers don't have the dexterity to reach all the way around. It is good form to have your thumb behind the middle of the neck anyways, and pivot it to the top or bottom depending on what strings you are hitting.

allthumbs · #3 April 22nd, 2008

It takes time and practice to get the fingers stretched. Be careful that you don't push your fingers and wrist harder than they can take. You don't want to get tennis elbow.

Mav451 · #4 April 22nd, 2008

Yeah, my other friend (more experienced guitarist) was also saying that it's probably a scale he was trying to teach me. She actually laughed at me for that ;D

So I'm guessing nobody really knows any other narrow or thin guitars other than the aforementioned Ibanez?

JessThrasher · #5 April 24th, 2008

Wizard II neck is one of the thinnest on the markets.

If you're looking for a thin, fast neck, youre likely to end up with a pointy metal guitar.

Mav451 · #6 April 26th, 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by allthumbs

It takes time and practice to get the fingers stretched. Be careful that you don't push your fingers and wrist harder than they can take. You don't want to get tennis elbow.

Haha funny you should say that. I had wrist tendonitis that took me off drums for quite a while. Now I can play in spurts, but don't have that luxury that I had when I was playing as a 12 year old.

Quote:

Wizard II neck is one of the thinnest on the markets.

If you're looking for a thin, fast neck, youre likely to end up with a pointy metal guitar.

Looks like this is the primary candidate. Guess I'll find something in the $150-200 range and post in a little bit.