...how do you feel about the A-size necks?

Pacafeliz · Post by **Pacafeliz** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:17 am

ok so today the wife and baby left me home alone for about 3-4 hours.
finally got the chance to rip out the recently acquired 1965 mustang and really try her out.

first of all, it has recent strat-like pickups in it

- but with the original mustang covers on ??!! prob is, i can't screw the pups up or down (different size), so i'll need to get some mustang pups.
it doesn't have the original 3-way slider switches. instead it just has 2 on/off switches. and crappy ones, that is. but they kinda work.
it's been refinned and has a new logo, but that's details.

so back on subject...
it has a small A-width neck. it feels weird. and then the shortscale.
i usually play my jazzmasters or strats, and no, i haven't been able to correctly wire the '62 jaguar back to life. hopefully now in the holidays...

i have no problem with the short scale. the neck feels worn in and nice... really the most confortable mustang neck i've ever had.
but i'm having problem adapting / getting used to the narrow neck width at the nut. i can hardly make a proper A chord up there.

let me tell you, i don't have huge hands or long fingers or so... but even after 3 hours of jammin' with it i can't really get used to it.
i'm really considering selling or swapping it for a standard B-neck.

what about you guys... do you have the same prob or does anyone actually PREFER the A necks?

thanks and good luck!

Pat.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 3:26 am

My Duo has a B, Mustang has an A. The Danos have C or D equivalent. I've never had a problem going between the bunch.

I suppose I finger chords in a lot of different ways depending on the guitar and whatnot. Maybe just mess with different fingerings?

flush-it · Post by **flush-it** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 4:26 am

its my favorite, i feel like i can manipulate the guitar better. when i play my jag HH which is a b width neck, it feels retarted. I think thats what i love about the stang the most, the neck its christ.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:13 am

i have to say that once you've hit the A and got used to it, it's difficult to go back to anything else... it can be uncomfortable at first, but persevere and it gets easier.

innuendo aside, i suppose it depends what you're playing on it. As and Es etc down near the nut can be a bit fiddly, but anything that say, requires a thumb on the bottom string is much easier.

swapping the neck out is going to cost you a fair few $, as vintage B necks are the most sought after, but it's down to preference at the end of the day. some people just don't like the small nut width, i think it's great.

zenpharaohs · Post by **zenpharaohs** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:19 pm

I like really short scales, but I like at least medium wide necks.

It comes down to that I have short fingers, but not narrow fingers.

James · Post by **James** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:37 pm

I've found the two A width necks I've played (my musicmaster neck on my mustan, and the neck on the hurb/stewart duo) to be the most comfortable Fender necks I've played. If I ever buy a proper vintage Mustang I'm going to be looking for an A width.

More Cowbell · Post by **More Cowbell** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:17 pm

I love the neck on my coronado, but I also loved the a width neck on my 64 mustang. IT was great.

Post by **Hurb** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 7:50 pm

dddave haets A width necks.. so you should all like em. or you, are a supporter of a fool.

Will · Post by **Will** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 10:24 pm

Try this for an "A" chord: Fret the D-string with your middle finger, the G with your index, and the B with your ring. It's a little awkward at first and you have to be careful that you don't push the G sharp, but it's the best fingering for getting all the notes clearly in my experience.

I stole it from a friend I was giving lessons to. She asked what fingering to use; I told her anything that was easy and got all the notes clearly was right. Next lesson, I saw her fretting an A chord this way and have been doing the same ever since.

Addam · Post by **Addam** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:01 pm

DuoSonicBoy wrote:Try this for an "A" chord: Fret the D-string with your middle finger, the G with your index, and the B with your ring. It's a little awkward at first and you have to be careful that you don't push the G sharp, but it's the best fingering for getting all the notes clearly in my experience.

I thought that was a normal technique?

Then again I use my thumb sometimes, 'cos I am fucking lazy.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Sun Dec 14, 2008 11:52 pm

Hurb wrote:dddave haets A width necks.. so you should all like em. or you, are a supporter of a fool.

was our duo comfy for you to play? from what a gather you're a giant, i could see people with big paws having trouble with an A neck.

DGNR8 · Post by **DGNR8** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:11 am

Alls I know is I like my 24. 22.5 seems like I am getting robbed somehow.

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 2:40 am

stewart wrote:
Hurb wrote:dddave haets A width necks.. so you should all like em. or you, are a supporter of a fool.
was our duo comfy for you to play? from what a gather you're a giant, i could see people with big paws having trouble with an A neck.

Yeah I love the neck of that guitar. love the guitar really. just no whammiez means it doesn't get played. the small neck was good for lead work I thought.

punch · Post by **punch** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 3:38 am

I like narrow necks. It's been about 13 years since I tried 1 1/2", but I remember really liking it.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:12 am

Hurb wrote:just no whammiez means it doesn't get played.

it does now!

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:16 am

stewart wrote:
Hurb wrote:just no whammiez means it doesn't get played.
it does now!

I had a slow moment when I thought you meant it now has a whammiez..(I imagined floyd rose badly installed) but then realised you meant it now gets played....that is what you meant right? your smart enough to know you would have half the board on your ass hunting you down to burn you alive.

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:26 am

Hurb wrote:
stewart wrote:
Hurb wrote:just no whammiez means it doesn't get played.
it does now!
I had a slow moment when I thought you meant it now has a whammiez..(I imagined floyd rose badly installed) but then realised you meant it now gets played....that is what you meant right? your smart enough to know you would have half the board on your ass hunting you down to burn you alive.

haha yeah, it's now fully loaded with a specially carved-out strat vibrato! wannnnng!!

no, i just meant it gets played. it's my #1 geet. i wouldn't change a thing about it.

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:28 am

it's a beaut for sure

stewart · Post by **stewart** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 11:55 am

at least you know it's not too far away. before it arrived i was thinking maybe i'd fix it up a bit, refinish it a bit better, replace the shortened E tuner etc but there's absolutely no point, it plays perfectly and if i bash the paint by accident it's hardly the end of the world.

Post by **Hurb** » Mon Dec 15, 2008 1:27 pm

Yeah I had the same thoughts.