Gibson Neck Profiles Explained: Choose the Right Shape

There are 4 main Gibson and Epiphone neck profiles:

• Rounded/ Rounded C/ ’50s Vintage
• Slim Taper
• Asymmetric Slim Taper
• Advanced Response

These necks vary in terms of their shape and depth (aka thickness) and suit different hand sizes and playing styles. In this article I’ll compare these different neck profiles to help you figure out which is the most suitable for you.

Gibson Neck	Thickness (1st-12th Fret)	Shape	Fretboard Radius
Rounded/ ’50s Vintage	0.87”-0.98″	C	12”
Slim Taper	0.82”-0.93″	C-D	12”
Asym Slim Taper	0.82”-0.93″	Asym C-D	10-16”
Advanced Response	0.82”-0.90″	C	16”

Rounded/ Rounded C/ ’50s Vintage

The Gibson “Rounded”, “Rounded C” and “Vintage ’50s” necks are identical in terms of shape and thickness and the names are usually used interchangeably. I have spoken to Gibson regarding this who confirmed that the necks are the same thickness and shape.

Most guitars with this neck profile typically refer to it as a “Rounded” neck, however several models including the LP Standard ’50s, Special and Junior refer to it as a “Vintage ’50s” profile.

As the name would suggest, this profile is based on a C-shape and is pretty thick. It is designed to closely mimic Gibson guitars of the ’50s so that’s why you’ll see it on many models such as the LP Standard ’50s, LP Tribute and ES-335 however there are some exceptions such as the SG Standard which also has a rounded neck.

Slim Taper

The Gibson Slim Taper neck is the most common neck shape seen on both Gibson and Epiphone guitars. It is seen on models such as the LP Standard ’60s, LP Classic, SG Standard ’61, Explorer, and Flying V to name a few.

Asymmetrical Slim Taper

The Asymmetrical Slim Taper neck is a variation of the Slim Taper. It has an asymmetric C to D-shape which means the neck is thinner on the higher pitched strings compared to the lower pitched strings to make it easier to play single-note runs more quickly hence it is popular with lead players.

At the thickest point in the centre of the neck, the Asymmetrical Slim Taper neck has the same thickness as the Slim Taper (0.82″ thick at the 1st fret and 0.93″ thick at the 12th fret).

The Asymmetrical Slim Taper also has a compound fretboard radius of 10-16″ unlike the Slim Taper profile which has a radius of 12″. The compound radius means the fretboard is more curved at the lower frets and becomes flatter at the upper frets. This gives the player the best of both worlds for chords and lead playing.

The Asymmetrical Slim Taper neck isn’t used on a lot of Gibson guitars but can be seen on the SG Modern and some Epiphone models.

Advanced Response

The Advanced Response neck is only used on acoustic guitar models, most notable those in the Generation Collection. The Advanced Response neck is a C-shape and it is much thinner than the Rounded/ Rounded C profile and similar and in some cases slightly thinner than the Slim Taper.

Typically the Advanced Response neck profile measures 0.82″ at the 1st fret and 0.90″ at the 12th fret.

Unlike the Rounded and Slim Taper necks which have a 12″ fingerboard radius, the Advanced Response has a 16″ fingerboard radius which is flatter and feels better for bending but not quite as comfortable for chording.

Common Questions

Which is the Thinnest Gibson Neck Profile?

The thinnest Gibson guitar neck profiles are the “slim taper”/ “asymmetrical slim taper” and the “advanced response”. These typically measure 0.82″ thick at the first fret.

Check out this list of electric guitars with the thinnest necks.

Which is the Thickest Gibson Neck Profile?

The thickest Gibson guitar neck shape is the “Rounded” profile which measures approximately 0.87″ thick at the first fret and 0.98″ thick at the 12th fret. This profile is also called the “Rounded C” and ’50s Vintage”.

Which Gibson Neck Profile is Best for Small Hands?

The most popular Gibson neck profile for small hands and fingers is the “Slim Taper”. This neck is found on several guitars such as the Les Paul Standard ’60s/ Modern/ Classic/ Studio, Explorer, Flying V, Firebird and SG Standard ’61/ Special and Junior.

Which Gibson Neck Profile is the Best for Shredding?

The most popular Gibson neck profile for shredding is the “Asymmetrical Slim Taper” as it is quite narrow and has a compound fingerboard radius. It can be found on the Gibson SG Modern and several Epiphone guitars including the Les Paul Modern and Prophecy.

Check out my ultimate guide to neck shapes for everything else you need to know.

Gibson Les Paul Neck Profiles

Here is a list of all the Gibson Les Paul models (excluding artist signature and exclusives) and their neck profiles. There are no Gibson Les Paul models with an asymmetrical slim taper neck.

Gibson SG Neck Profiles

Here is a list of all the Gibson SG models (excluding artist signature and exclusives) and their neck profiles. There are no Gibson SG models with a ’50s Vintage neck profile.

Gibson ES Neck Profiles

All the Gibson ES models (excluding artist signature and exclusives) have a rounded C neck profile.

Other Gibson Electric Guitar Neck Profiles

Here is a list of all the other Gibson electric guitars (excluding artist signature and exclusives) and their neck profiles.

Gibson Acoustic Guitars

Epiphone Electric Guitars

Epiphone Les Paul

Epiphone SG

Other Epiphone Electric Guitars

Epiphone Acoustic Guitars