Big-necked acoustics?

[jpastras]

Not "big, nekkid acoustics".
I'm looking for a steel string, don't care about scale length, just great sound and playability.
Must cost less than $1700, must have a very chunky neck.
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

[Dave Orban]

Try and find yourself an early-50s Gibson LG-2, and you will have an OUTSTANDING guitar. ;)

[zombywoof]

Excellent choice suggested by Dave. Most acoustics made before 1960 (when the slim, fast action neck started becoming fashionable) will have nice chunky necks - if ya go back further many had thick V shaped necks. Not too sure about modern guitars but if ya go to something like a Gibson True Vintage series you can find the thicker neck but the prices are through the roof on new ones.

[Lawn Jockey]

Larrivee L and OM's have a chunky neck....and 1.75" nut width. You can tell you've got a hold of something.

Good luck!

[johneeeveee]

Try and find yourself an early-50s Gibson LG-2, and you will have an OUTSTANDING guitar. ;)

Dave is right on. Unfortunately the '47-'51 early block logo Gibson LG-2's are pulling in closer to $3000 these days for a clean one. The script logo ('46-'47) LG-2's have even fatter necks as do the "banner" era guitars, but those are even more expensive.

The secret is out, unfortunately for buyers, although if you get lucky on ebay you might find one in your budget of $1700. Even 2 years ago you could have done really well with your money, but these particular Gibsons, as well as the L00's have about doubled in price in the last few years.

Good luck - jv

[jgm]

You might want to define "very chunky." Compared to "fatback" types of necks, most acoustic necks will seem a little thin. I have a Collings CJ that guys at Elderly described as a "clubby" neck and it's nowhere near a '59 type of LP neck. Even older Gibsons (and I agree with Dave's recs completely) don't have that kind of mass. I had a Gibson J185 a few years ago that had a nice full neck, and I've played a couple of Martin Golden Era D18's that had big V necks, but they vary. You might have better luck with some of the twelve fret guitars. Old Harmony's can have huge necks.

Only consistently big necks I can think of are current Nationals - great guitars, but not "steel strings" per se.

[walterw]

i was lucky, in that the '49 gibson j-50 i scored for $300 a decade and a half ago has a huge, round neck. i pined for an electric to match it forever, until i got my '02 58 RI les paul, which is almost identical in contour.

[jpastras]

Thank you so much for the suggestions, guys!

I actually played an LG2, and that's what's got me pining for a nice acoustic with a big neck! It was moderately beat, and the shop was looking for 2 grand.

I'll check out some of these suggestions. I appreciate the time and info fellas!

[royd]

sent you a pm

[solitaire]

You can get a new Guild for well within your pricerange, espec. now that the Tacoma made ones are on sale in waiting for the first CT made ones to hit the markett- even one of the 1 3/4" Contemporaries.

[GuitslingerTim]

Try a Takamine TF360SBG, or a TF340SBG--one of the biggest standard necks in production, and a guitar designed to cop the pre-war Martin vibe, with one of the best preamps in the business.

[jpastras]

Guys, you're awesome. This is more info than I ever expected to receive. Thanks!

[avincent52`]

Thank you so much for the suggestions, guys!

I actually played an LG2, and that's what's got me pining for a nice acoustic with a big neck! It was moderately beat, and the shop was looking for 2 grand.

I'll check out some of these suggestions. I appreciate the time and info fellas!

Depending on the degree of beatness, $2k for an LG-2 is a pretty good deal.
Make sure the finish is original, and the bridge/bridgeplate/top is okay.

A $2k vintage Gibson will hold its value better than anything new.

You might also try a used Martin OM-18V, which has a nice chunky V-neck, but not as chunky as the Gibson.

allen

[drive-south]

Guild D40 and D50 made in Tacoma Washington have beefy necks and adirondack spruce tops. One of the best values in traditional dreads out there. You would have to find one used or NOS as Fender/Guild has shut down the Tacoma factory and are in the process of moving this line to Kaman in Connecticut.

Look for a 12-fret dreadnought with slotted head and you will most likely find they all have very beefy necks. You should be able to find an older Martin D28 slope shoulder dread with these specs in your' price range.

I recently played a Santa Cruz model D with these specs that was outstanding but a little higher than your' price point (about $2500).

drive-south

[JJK]

Taylor DN4. I own one, and am actually selling it because the neck is too chunky for me. You may like it though, nice guitar I just can't get use to the neck.

[sfletch]

I have a Guild F30 Aragon made in Tacoma, WA that has a ridiculously chunky neck, to me anyway. It's almost a deal-breaker it's so thick. However, the guitar happens to sound just great. It seriously sounds like it's been broken in for 20 years, and I got it 4-5 months ago. Nitro, bone nut and saddle, kind of a budget J45 or a warmer 000 type sound. Cost me like $1200, I think? Can't remember, I'd have to find the receipt. Not a lot of fleet-fingered playing on it, but it just makes MUSIC.

[hank]

I own a bunch of acoustics. I bought a Recording King RD-227 last year that is a Martin D-42 clone. Dreadnaught with Indian Rosewood b/s and an Engelman top with pearl trim. Made in China by The Music Link ... it is unbelievable in quality and tone for price. List is $1000 ...... so you can get into it w/ case for about $700. 1 3/4" neck with chunky V shape.

Google "The Music Link".

[seven diamonds]

Not "big, nekkid acoustics".
I'm looking for a steel string, don't care about scale length, just great sound and playability.
Must cost less than $1700, must have a very chunky neck.
Suggestions?
Thanks in advance.

:AOKBig ol' necks...
You might try a used Larrivee' SD or OOO. They have widths of 1 7/8" and 1 13/16" respectively. Or an older slothead Martin dread. They were 1 7/8" as well. Actually the Larrys are wide and flat. The old Martins were wide and kind of thick front to back too........
enjoy the quest:)

[sixstringsteve]

I too am looking for an acoustic that has a deep neck profile. I definitely do not want a wide nut, just a deep neck that fills your hand like a nocaster, or even a 50's gibson neck. If future postings would specify whether it's wide or deep, that'd really help me out. thanks. i'm personally looking in the sub-$1000 range, so if anyone knows of anything in that range, I'd love to hear it. Sorry to hijack, I think it's related... I have an old harmony that is perfect, but it sounds like crap (f-holes). If I could put that neck on my taylor my problems would be solved.

[jellyfishstu]

I played a Gallagher Doc Watson model and it had a very very chunky neck on it.

[jpastras]

Thanks for all of the suggestions, guys! I appreciate it. I'm out of the market right now, as times are tight, but I'll get back to it soon.

This thread's probably got a lot of value for other folks, so keep 'em coming.