The Best Guitar Necks for Fingerpicking: Essential Factors for Optimal Performance
As a seasoned guitarist, I've played a wide range of acoustic and electric guitars, from modern electric models to classic acoustics, and I've amassed a collection of 12 guitars. However, when it comes to the perfect guitar for fingerpicking, there's one model that truly stands out: my ancient Giannini from Brazil, featuring an almost flat fingerboard. When the composition demands a delicate, intricate finger-style performance, this guitar provides the clean, crisp notes essential for such techniques.
Optimal Neck Shape for Fingerpicking
Regardless of whether you're playing classical or steel-stringed guitars, the spacing between the strings plays a crucial role in your fingerpicking experience. Playing techniques require a comfortable spacing that allows for precise control of your fingers.
Classical guitars with their wider string spacing offer a more spacious feel, which is ideal for intricate fingerpicking. Gypsy guitars also benefit from this wider spacing. However, if you're leaning towards a traditional steel-stringed guitar, it's essential to look for one with wide string spacing both at the nut and at the bridge. This ensures a more comfortable and natural finger placement.
The Importance of Consistent String Spacing
A common issue among some electric guitars, such as the Gibson 335 semi-acoustic, is the taper in string spacing. These guitars often have narrower string spacing at the nut and wider spacing at the bridge, which can create discomfort when fingerpicking. Instead, I recommend looking for steel-stringed guitars with strings that are more parallel, featuring only a small taper. This parallel spacing ensures that your fingers can move smoothly over the strings without feeling squished together.
Fingerpicking Chord Challenges
To play a common A major chord at the second fret using your index, middle, and ring fingers (without a barre or using two fingers), you should ensure that the string spacing allows for comfortable finger placement. If your fingers feel squished together, it’s a clear sign that you might need to reevaluate the strings or the guitar itself. Comfort is paramount in fingerpicking, and any discomfort can significantly hinder your performance.
Intonation and Setup
Intonation is another critical factor to consider. If your guitar’s frets are not evenly aligned with the evenly tempered scale, it can affect the clarity and tuning of the notes. Ideally, the intonation should be perfect, or as close to perfect as possible. Modern tools make it relatively straightforward to achieve precise intonation, so any deviation is less common.
While the action, string gauges, and fret height can be customized to your preference, wide string spacing is nearly impossible to change without adding wood to the neck. This makes it especially important to choose a guitar with an appropriate string spacing from the outset. A well-scaled neck ensures that your fingers can move with ease, providing a superior fingerpicking experience.
Ultimately, the right guitar neck for fingerpicking should prioritize comfort, spacing, and intonation. Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, the right setup can make a world of difference in your playing. So, take the time to find a guitar that matches these essential factors, and you'll be well on your way to achieving the best performances.