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Author Topic: Non Symetrical Neck Radius  (Read 10680 times)

Dakine

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« on: March 01, 2006, 09:49:41 PM »
Just wondering,
I love my Ernie Ball Axis soooo much, for most part because of the neck.
From EVERY guitar I have ever picked up, it is unique.
It is NOT symetrical, like if you look down its length and cut it in half it would not be the same. If you make a natural kinda grip/C with your hand, thats the kinda profile;

"One of the things that Ernie Ball Music Man is constantly praised for is the feel of their necks. Music Man does not use lacquers or other "sticky" materials to finish their necks. Instead a special hand rubbed oil and wax finish is used that results in a very "fast" or "worn-in" feeling neck. The smaller size of the neck is something that I really like about this guitar as well. Althought I prefer the 12" radius on the Wolfgang's neck, this neck feels great as well.

Also, one reason this neck is so comfortable to the hand is the manner in which it was created. The story goes that when Ed Van Halen and Music Man were designing the guitar, Music Man used a digital laser scanner to scan the neck of one of Eddie's favorite guitars. Below is a direct quote from a production manager at Music Man, commenting on the unique characteristics of the Axis/EVH neck:

"For all intense and purposes, the Axis is a non-signature EVH model. As you may or may not know, Eddie Van Halen stopped working with Ernie Ball/Music Man in the mid-1990's. We still retain the rights to that design, therefore we still make the guitar but under the "Axis" name. The story about the digital reading of the fretboard is indeed true - it was done because he had worn down his neck so much by playing, that the back contour became extremely comfortable to him. Rather than wearing down new guitars, you could say they are "pre-worn", by shaping the neck to the characteristics of his previous guitars. Each neck is still made this way. "

What I am wondering if any other production guitars were ever made like this?

Thanks,
Nick
"Do not go gentle.........Rage"

_tom_

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #1 on: March 01, 2006, 10:13:28 PM »
My friends Jackson customshop's neck doesnt feel completely symmetrical but that could've just been coz I'm not used to it or something...

Dakine

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #2 on: March 01, 2006, 10:19:46 PM »
This is VERY pronounced on a Musicman Axis. Hard to explain and ma not about to cut my neck in half ROFLMAO, but VERY inovative and wonder why never done before (as hand does not grip in symetrical manner), hmmm.

Need to try and take a pic but it's not easy getting it to show.
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_tom_

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #3 on: March 01, 2006, 10:36:20 PM »
Ah right I'll have to take a closer look next time I get to play it (very rarely as he babies it!). Seems like itd be the most comfortable neck shape/profile though!

Dakine

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #4 on: March 01, 2006, 11:31:35 PM »
Tom
forgot to say, think it is possibly quite different to the Jackson as my Jackson soloist is NOTHING like it. Yes it is fast and thin but NOT like it has been played for 20 years with rubbing on one side lol.
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tewboss

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #5 on: March 02, 2006, 12:32:09 AM »
Warmoth allow you to specify an Axis-like asymetrical neck in their online catalogue.

Kilby

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Re: Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #6 on: March 02, 2006, 01:15:49 AM »
Quote from: Dakine
What I am wondering if any other production guitars were ever made like this?


I beleive the Peavy Wolfgang has a similar neck profile to the Axis.

Even my cheapo wolfie has such a nice shape that I am avoiding playing my strat at all. Unfortinitely the Wolfie is 400 miles away so I'm considering a decent setup to see if it improves my feelings towards the strat.

Oh yeah the Wolfie has a sort of semi stripped finish that feels real nice too.

Rob...
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Dakine

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #7 on: March 02, 2006, 01:24:36 PM »
Yeah, forgot to negate the Peavey Wolfgang. I lump this in with the Axis as it was the next endorsement by EVH.
Really I was wondering if any other manufacturers did this with their necks? Wolfgangs are no longer produced I beleieve and Warmoth is a part.
I appreciate all the comments/info. just wondered, as seems so logical and comfortable if no other manufacturer (not making EVH models) ever did anything like this as (although it may have been initially done for EVH) it is truly comfortable.
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_tom_

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #8 on: March 02, 2006, 05:00:45 PM »
Quote from: Dakine
Tom
forgot to say, think it is possibly quite different to the Jackson as my Jackson soloist is NOTHING like it. Yes it is fast and thin but NOT like it has been played for 20 years with rubbing on one side lol.


Haha yeah it seems like the MM's is more pronounced or whatever, but this Jackson didnt seem perfectly symmetrical or whatever.. This may be very different to your soloist though, I dont know what model it is, all I know is that its a "custom shop"  :lol:

tav

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #9 on: March 02, 2006, 06:13:08 PM »
My Hofner Verythin is supposed to have a slightly asymetric neck shape - slightly more meat on the bass side I think. I can't say I notice it, but it is very comfortable to play.

HJM

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #10 on: March 02, 2006, 06:31:31 PM »
asymmetric  is good...asymmetrical coil winds, neck shapes and even fingerboard radius....old violins aren't symmetric either, or at least the good sounding ones by all accounts.

Even missmatched output valves can sound great imho (just you've got to be real lucky...)
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Dakine

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« Reply #11 on: March 02, 2006, 07:01:36 PM »
LOL

Did'nt Huey Lewis do a song about this?

"It's Hip to Be Asymetrical"  ROFLMAO
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HJM

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #12 on: March 02, 2006, 09:39:10 PM »
Quote from: Dakine
LOL

Did'nt Huey Lewis do a song about this?

"It's Hip to Be Asymetrical"  ROFLMAO
:lol:
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Searcher

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #13 on: March 03, 2006, 12:58:07 AM »
My guitar neck is asymmetrical.  I'm not sure if I prefer it over the symmetrical necks, though.  I guess it's a matter of personal preference, like the size of the neck.
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PhilKing

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Non Symetrical Neck Radius
« Reply #14 on: March 03, 2006, 11:09:31 AM »
Tobias basses have asymetrical necks and play great (5 & 6 strings, not sure about 4).  I am having a 5 string bass built with that style.  In the US tk instruments use them on their guitars
http://www.tkinstruments.com/id22.htm
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