Mighty Mite® Bodies and Necks

The Basics : Neck Specs

Neck Shape

This refers to the shape of the back of the neck where your palm makes contact.

Neck shape is described in many terms which may differ from one manufacturer to another. Popular descriptions may include : boat neck, C-shaped, V-shaped, low profile and U-shaped.

Fender's Neck Profiles
Warmoth's Neck Profiles

Fingerboard Radius

The arch of the fingerboard, from bass side to treble, is it's radius.

A fingerboard with a 7.25" radius would have a much rounder arch than one with a 16" radius.

 

Choosing the ideal radius for your playing style is a personal matter.

Speaking in generalities only, (YMMV) flatter fingerboards are often favored by metal/speed players and those who do a lot of string bending. It is also quite common on classical guitars and mandolins.

A rounder fingerboard radius may suit a player who is frequently using bar chords, as it fits the natural arching of the hand.

Bending strings pulls them towards the center of the fingerboard which can cause fret out (string deadening against fret) on instruments with low action and a tight fingerboard radius.

Fret Size

Unfortunately some manufacturers use descriptions such as medium or jumbo. Gee thanks! While this serves as a generality it does not provide the actual fret wire size, for that we may have to simply measure the fret.

Fret wire size denotes the width and height of the fret. My article on fret wire offers several common fret wire sizes and their manufacturers number or description.

Truss Rod

Some manufacturers offer single and dual action truss rods. Read more about the different types of truss rods used on electric guitars.