It’s a common notion in the guitar community that to achieve lightning-fast shredding speeds, a thin guitar neck is a prerequisite. A quick online search reveals countless discussions and forums where guitar players often associate ‘fat neck’ guitars with styles less demanding in terms of speed and technicality, seemingly contradicting the very idea of a ‘Shredder Guitar’. But is this widely accepted belief truly valid?
Legendary guitarist Peter Green famously described the neck of his iconic Les Paul, “Greeny,” as being “like a tree trunk.” This substantial neck didn’t prevent Gary Moore, known for his blistering solos and incredible speed, from setting the world alight with his playing on the very same instrument. This anecdote alone casts doubt on the supposed incompatibility of fat necks and shredding prowess.
As a guitarist often labeled a “shredder” within my own music circles – sometimes as a compliment, sometimes not, depending on individual tastes – I can attest to the fact that neck thickness has never been a limiting factor in my ability to play fast. Provided the guitar is properly set up and the string gauge is within a reasonable range, the profile of the neck, whether thin or fat, simply doesn’t impede shredding capabilities.
This isn’t to say that neck preference is universal. Personally, I find thinner necks in width challenging to navigate. Despite having average-sized fingers, my larger palms seem to favor a more substantial neck. The point here is that many guitarists might be inadvertently dismissing potentially perfect instruments due to the prevailing lore that fat necks are detrimental to fast playing. It’s possible that many players would be pleasantly surprised by what feels right in their hands if they dared to challenge these long-held assumptions and explore different neck profiles for themselves.
