Neck-Dimension of a PC1

[v4rg]

I already posted this on another Jackson-guitarfanpage but that site has not so much visitors like this one and I think here are more PC1-owners that maybe can help me out. I really want to get a PC1, I like the maple-neck, the headstock and the gorgous quilted-maple-body. Now, I've read and heard that those necks are huge. Since no store in germany has this guitar in their showroom I cant testplay it. Can someone give a hint and compare the neck to another guitar, like the neck is as thick as a Les Paul Model xxx? The guitar with the fattest neck i own is a BC Rich Stealth. Unfortunately I am plagued with focal dystonia ->http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Focal_dystonia and a thin neck helps me playing with the rest of my still working fingers So all you PC1-owners, how thick is that neck really? Can someone crippled like me get used to it?

[shreddermon]

The PC1 is .825" at the 3rd fret and .890" at the 12th fret. By comparison, the thinnest USA Jackson neck is the DK1 - that's .750" at the 3rd fret and .810" at the 12th fret.How comfortable a neck "feels" is too subjective a question.

I generally prefer thin necks, too - but have no trouble going back and forth between those and my PC1. Others may tell you differently, as it's all personal opinion and preference. And opinions may not be particularly helpful to help someone like you, with a limiting physical factor.

Maybe you could find a different guitar to try out with more comparable neck thickness dimensions, that's more readily available in German stores? Certain Les Paul models might be in the ballpark, but I'm no expert on which ones have PC1-like thickness. Note: there's a lot factors that go into a neck's comfort and feel than just thickness - backshape, taper, how wide of a nut it has, fretboard radius. So whatever else you may try won't "feel" like a PC1 neck. Only a PC1 will. But at least you might be able to figure out if you can live with/enjoy a thick neck like that, given your situation. Good luck.

[v4rg]

yes, I think I'll try to find a Les Paul with similiar neck dimensions and testplay it. If the neck is to thick or whatever a good luthier can sand it down and make it thinner.

[CowboyFromHell]

Good luck on that. Never played a Paul with a thin neck. They may exist but every one I've ever had my hands on were rather thick and chunky.

[MartinBarre]

The closest I can compare it to is the neck on my SL3. Both that and the PC1 have chunky necks.
If you're buying new perhaps you could get a custom shop PC1 with a thinner neck? Just an idea, I don't have a clue about costs or even if they'd do that.

[iced_earth]

As shreddermoon mentioned, don't just pay attention to measurements - the profile/shape is also important to factor in. I myself am very sensitive to neck shapes... a slight case of carpal tunnel means any guitar with a neck shape that isn't "perfect" to me gets passed on quickly. That being said, I've found I like the Jackson WR1 neck, some Soloists, the Gibson 60's slim taper Les Paul neck, and the PRS regular or pattern regular. I don't like the Jackson DK1 "speed neck", PRS wide thin or most Ibanez shapes as I feel they're too thin. I don't like Gibson "50's" fat necks or PRS wide fat as they're too chunky. In general I like a C shape neck, and the PC1, while a bit fat, has a nice C shape that I find playable. I think the Gibson "50s" and PRS wide fat are a little more D shape with more shoulder, making a fatter feel... As for Fender necks, they've been hit or miss for me - I feel anything labeled C shape or with a 42 mm nut feels comfortable, but a lot of Fender necks have felt a little wide.

Sorry for the rambling, but I hope that helps.

[v4rg]

I'm thinking about getting a flame DK2-body and order a Charvel 2-piece-neck at musikraft.com. I already found someone in germany who wants to sell a dk2 with a sustainiac. New neck, gold hardware and all my problems are solved ^^ Not exact what I wanted but a good way to it

[rjohnstone]

Just make sure you specify that it's a 24 fret, 25.5" scale neck with a 2 1/4" heel.
Musikraft's Charvel necks are typically 22 fret necks.

[MartinBarre]

The DK2S is a great guitar but the Sustainer isn't quite as good as the one on the PC1. Don't get me wrong, it's fine, but I find it much harder to control and, as a result, less fun.