What Is A Baseball Bat Guitar Neck?

If you have been a guitarist for a while, you’ve probably heard the term baseball bat guitar neck. Many guitarists throw around this term when they have tried a thick neck. But have you ever wondered what this term means?

The term baseball bat guitar neck is a name used to describe the shape and profile. This is usually referring to a very thick guitar neck like a U shape, which can be harder to play for some people.

It does not mean that the guitar neck was made from a baseball bat.

In this Killer Rig article, we are going to explore the term used for thick necks and see why they got this nickname.

What Is a Baseball Bat Guitar Neck?

Many electric guitar necks are wide and thick, which makes them hard to play for some people. An example of this is the U shape, which has a profile that is hard to hold for some and very comfortable for others.

Because some guitarists find a neck profile hard to play. The term baseball bat has been coined as a description of the thickness.

This means that the neck is much thicker than most and is quite deep. You might also hear them called chunky because they are very round.

These necks have a feel that is all their own, but can be hard to perform solo or leads on. Most guitarists who use the baseball bat neck prefer the feel. This is because they are easy to grip. It fills their hand in a way that makes them easy to hold.

Baseball Bat Guitar Neck Shape

Who Is A Baseball Bat Guitar Neck For?

The baseball bat guitar neck shape can be used by any guitarist. They are not made for every style of music, however, as they are thicker.

This makes playing certain leads and solos a bit harder. To know if this electric guitar neck shape would be a good fit, one would need to try it for themselves.

Some players love them because the extra grip reduced hand fatigue. It’s a result of being easier to hold.

Others like them because they feel their fretting accuracy is greatly improved. The extra width and depth provide a comfortable thumb pocket. Which makes it feel smoother.

But if you play very fast leads, you may find that this neck profile is a bit too big. In this case, it would be better to find a size that allows for faster playing techniques. If you play rhythm, on the other hand, a thick neck might be quite comfortable for you.

Guitars With Baseball Bat Necks

There are a few instruments that are well known for their baseball bat guitar necks. These are mainly older guitars from the 50s made by Fender and Gibson.

The original Telecaster guitars came with a U-shaped neck. Gibson released their Les Paul Junior and Tribute with thick profiles.

There are also a few Fender guitars that have thicker C-shaped necks:

  • Fender American Professional.
  • American Original 60s Stratocaster.
Fender American Original 50s Telecaster

These necks, while a C-shape, are known to be baseball bat-style profiles. And so if you are looking for something a tad thinner, then these might be a good fit.

However, if you are looking for the chunky U-shaped baseball bat neck, these guitars might be a good fit:

  • Fender American Original 50s Telecaster.
  • Gibson Les Paul Tribute.
  • Gibson Les Paul Junior.

Conclusion

The baseball bat is a description of a neck that is very thick and deep. These necks are not for everyone, but some guitarists love them for their comfort and extra grip.

Are you are looking for a guitar with this type of neck? Make sure to try it out before you buy to see if it’s the right fit for you.

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Author: Don East

My name is Don East, I'm the editor for Killer Rig. I've been playing guitar for over 20 years and have designed and manufactured products like guitar amps, effects pedals, and more. Over the years I have played in many bands and have a deep love for quality gear. I am an electrical engineer and have a passion for music gear, and now want to share what I know with the community!