Common Electric Guitar Neck Profiles

C-Shaped Neck:

The most common neck shape you will see on the market today would be the C-Shape neck standard on most, if not all, fender made models. The C-shape is rounded into an oval profile, making it very comfortable for anyone but those with larger hands while not being cut as deep as the U or V-shaped neck. This neck shape hit its prime in the 1980s when Fender decided to make this their neck shape of choice and bring it into the modern era with the contemporary C neck, also known as the “flat oval” C neck.

D-Shaped Neck:

The D-shaped neck, also known as the modern flat oval, is a modern neck for electric guitars. This neck shape got its start on classical string guitars due to the almost flat feel on the back of the neck, making it feel very comfortable in your hands as the neck itself is flatter than the rest of the neck shapes. The shoulders of these guitars often protrude vertically and then go over the radius of the neck. The shape of this neck is often mistaken for a C-shape.

V-Shaped Neck:

The V-shape neck is a much older design and runs in two separate variations, the soft V-shape and the hard V-shape. While they are both a similar shape, they both have a very different feel. The soft V-shape was created by a complete accident in the Fender factories back in the 1950s. As the name implies, the V-shape does come to a hard point. It has a more rounded shape and feels, these are great for players who feel comfortable with their thumb hanging over the fretboard while they play. That brings us to the hard V-shape. This shape has hard curves straight to the V-shape.

U-Shaped Neck:

This profile is similar to the C-shape but has a more pronounced curve. It’s often found on Gibson guitars. Good for players with larger hands or those who prefer a thicker neck profile aka Baseball Bat.

Thin Neck:

This profile is often found on modern guitars It has a flatter curve and a thinner overall shape.

Good for players who prefer a faster, more streamlined feel.

Chunky Neck:

This profile is often found on vintage-style guitars It has a thicker overall shape and provides more support for the hand. Good for players who prefer a more substantial feel and want to avoid hand fatigue.

Compound Neck:

This profile has a changing shape as you move up the neck It’s often thinner at the lower frets and gets thicker as you move up. Good for players who want the best of both worlds in terms of comfort and speed.