Rick Kelly players around Atlanta?

[Longer]

Hey everyone! Been reading this forum for a while and love it - first post. Here is my issue.*

I recently placed an order with Rick Kelly for a guitar. One reason for doing this is because he hand makes his necks.*

You see, I have NEVER found a neck big enough. I've play everything around Atlanta, and no luck. Even the popular after market neck makers will not go much past an inch. (BTW, any leads on big fat neck makers would be great!)

Anyway, Rick said he could make a neck as big as I want, but suggested his Double D, 1 3/4 at the nut, 1 1/8 thick, D shape.*

So the problem is - I have no idea what that feels like. And with Ricks wait time being a year, or two, or more, I need to get it right the first time!

So..... Does anyone have a Rick Kelly Double D anywhere near Atlanta I could check out? Please? I really don't want to tell my wife that I need to fly to NYC to feel a neck!*

Thanks for the help.*

[XKnight]

I'm not in Atlanta, but I have tried a Double D in Rick's shop and it was the fullest feeling neck I've ever played on any style guitar. It was too big my me, but his 1" Fatback has become my favorite neck carve.

Seems like a great excuse to visit NYC though. While you're there make sure you get some real pizza at Joe's on Carmine or John's on Bleecker.

[Longer]

XKnight, thanks for the reply!

Yes, there are worse problems to have. But flying to New York to check on the neck carve of your custom guitar sounds so freaking rock star it's nuts. I'm sure it would be a cool experience and a great story but I would like to avoid that if I can.

I know finding one in Atlanta is a long shot but I gotta try!

[aram]

one neck that is similar is the 50s stratotone H44s. If you can find one of those it should give you a good idea. rick's necks are that big or bigger.

[Longer]

Thanks Aram,

I've looked just about everywhere around here. The biggest necks I've found have been the Nocaster and Custom Shop Classic Players, but all were too small.

In fact, when I got my last tele I lined up the Custom Shop CP, Nocaster, 52ari, 52 hot rod, and the Baja. Since none of the necks fit, I ended up the the Baja. I'm still glad I did, it's a great guitar, and at the price it was a no brainer. But still looking for the tree trunk with frets!

I know Rick can make that tree trunk, just want to make sure it's the RIGHT tree trunk!

But thanks, I will be on the look out for a stratotone too.

[VicAjax]

Hey Longer... Welcome to the dark side.

I posted on your TDPRI thread too... But here's an idea.

How about you treat the Significant Other to a romantic NYC trip. Wining, dining, a Broadway show and oh, hey! What's this? Rick's shop... Well let's just stop in for a few minutes!

[VicAjax]

Oh, and I'm sure you've seen it, but lots of info available in the ongoing Rick Kelly thread here.

[Longer]

Yes, this place had the most info on Rick anywhere. I think I've read the first and second threads at least 4 times. Great stuff.

I like the idea of the romantic getaway, but with 2 young kids and no one to watch them for 2 days, it gets to be an expensive weekend hassle pretty fast. I think a solo flight would be more practical, but would like to avoid it if possible.

I thank you for the input Vic, you've been great, we will see what happens.

[aram]

the neck is way bigger than a nocaster. Makes the nocaster look like a pencil.Honestly, if Ricks necks are too small, you need to consider hand reduction surgery.

(-:

[Hammertone]

Originally Posted by aram

the neck is way bigger than a nocaster. Makes the nocaster look like a pencil.Honestly, if Ricks necks are too small, you need to consider hand reduction surgery.
(-:

Longer: Aram speaks truth.

I visited Rick's shop last year after hearing about his big-necked guitars. I like them big as well. If you order his "Double D, 1 3/4 at the nut, 1 1/8 thick, D shape" you will get a neck that does indeed make the Nocaster neck feel very HB by comparison. The nice thing about that neck is that it has SO MUCH wood that you can always have it re-contoured if it's too much. The Double Ds I tried in his shop had very big shoulders, so you should be specific about the neck shape you want when ordering (I personally like more of a "C" shape on my fatboy necks).

Another option would be to ask him to do the Double D with a 1 13/16" nut width - I have this on my old Monty-built Mechanicland "Ballpark" neck and it seems very natural on a really deep neck. I would also order the neck with real Jumbo frets. Again, they seem very normal on fatboy necks.

My Ballpark:

[VicAjax]

Originally Posted by aram

one neck that is similar is the 50s stratotone H44s. If you can find one of those it should give you a good idea. rick's necks are that big or bigger.

Aren't you waiting for a fatter neck for your Bowery? Or are you just going from C to D?

We should get together when mine is done and compare necks, if you're down with that.

[Longer]

Hammertone, that neck looks juicy!

In truth, it's hard to tell Rick what shape I want because I can't find a good reference point. Everything in a 50 mile radius of Atlanta just feels small.

I like the idea of getting the biggest neck possible and reshaping if needed.

I have a hunch the Double D will be what I'm looking for, just want to be sure.

Going to Chattanooga in two weeks with the family. Will try to see if anything is around.