Which Electric Guitar ??

[Deleted]

I would recommend a Gibson 335 with a "60s style" neck. Dimensions are 1 11/16" at the nut and 2 1/16" at the twelfth fret. So, just a 1/16" narrower than your Gibson L-1.

I am mostly a fingerstyle acoustic player, and I have chubby stubby fingers, so I prefer a wide fretboard as well. My 335 is much easier to play than my J45. Also I bought my 335 used and it had flatwound strings, which I had never used before but I loved them on the 335. When I restring, I go for the flatwounds now. You might consider this as well.

New they are a little beyond 1000 pounds (I think. I'm a yank and not really up of the exchange rates) but you can probably find one used at that price. Word of advice, the neck width changed over the years, so be aware and ask for measurements if you are buying online.

[andys]

Gouranga mentioned Teles, which although some have narrow necks, models like the Baja, the Highway one, and the 50s Classics all have chunkier necks.

I have just picked up a used 50s Classic Tele for a very good price, it has a superb neck, and all I did was put a new nut on to exploit the nice width of the board. Seriously good guitar, which is getting a lot of play time at the moment.



My resonators are getting jealous!

[gouranga]

Nice axe Andy. It's not only your reso's that are getting jealous....

Take care

Gouranga

[gouranga]

May not suit some, this idea, but here we go. Burns Double Six. Take 6 strings of it and you got quite a wide neck and the Burns sonic jangle Pick ups to go with. Cheap Cheap.

Gouranga

[edpitman]

Hi All,

I can heartily recommend Suhr guitars - if you could find something used within your price range I would check it out. Superb in all respects and very true in design, choice of materials etc to teh original Fender instruments.

Good luck !

[andys]

Just to add a bit to this thread.

Just got myself one of these little beasts for £200. Gibson Melody Maker Re-issue. Has a stonking great huge neck like the early Melody Makers, plus a single coil pickup that is a real screamer when pushed, plus some suprisingly responsive controls for a budget guitar.





Neck is not far off being as thick as my MM Blues, and has a nice feel, with the satin nitro finish as well.

You kind of have to live with Gibsons "Quality Control" a bit, but if you can find one of these for a good price (mine was half the cost of a new one) they are a lot of fun, and will take heavy guage strings easily as well.

I love mine, and to be honest its not only my first Gibson (being a Fender Tele man myself) but is one of the most fun Gibbys I have played, and it doesnt weigh a ton either (or cost one)

[percythewonderant]

Or why not try a Sollophonic tele, I did and I like it a lot! Big fat sound and a comfy string spacing.