School me on neck profiles pls?

[kurth83]

All I know is V, C, and D.

At this point I mostly play an Eastman which is a V neck AFAIK.

What I want to know is are there any general rules for what kinds of players prefer one over the other, and how would I know in a five minute test-play in a store if I like it or not? What would I look for?

Wouldn't I have to bring one home and play on it for 6 months (or at least a few weeks) to be sure?

[pheffernan]

What I want to know is are there any general rules for what kinds of players prefer one over the other

No, not as far as I know.

and how would I know in a five minute test-play in a store if I like it or not?

If it feels similar to an instrument that is comfortable for you. So for instance if you find that Eastman neck to work for you, then you might gravitate to something similar in a store.

What would I look for?

I suppose the same characteristics that make the Eastman a good fit (or not).

Wouldn't I have to bring one home and play on it for 6 months (or at least a few weeks) to be sure?

Ultimately, yes the proof is in the pudding, but I doubt it will take you six months. Still, there are no guarantees.

[Doc Ivory]

Play a few profiles and not just once, but as many times as you can squeeze in.
My hands gravitate toward the "V" profile so many of the mandolins I enjoy have that.

On my guitars, I love the big baseball bat Les Paul necks, some like the thinner, flatter Ibanez profiles.

I found that my likes and dislikes of neck profiles varied with time but I always came back to those two types.

Enjoy the journey, its fun!

[Randi Gormley]

Since all of our hands are different -- different size, different reach, the occasional limitation (trigger finger, carpal tunnel etc.) -- there isn't any one profile that fits one type of player (so no, bluegrass types don't all like Vs and ITM types don't all gravitate to Ds). so it's all up to what feels good when you play one. I mean, nobody sees the neck profile but you, just go for what doesn't hurt or annoy.