Some guitars speak to the eyes. Some to the ears. But the ones that stay with us the longest? They speak to our hands.
Last night, holding my 1988 Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster, I had a moment of quiet gratitude. She feels perfect. And I realised—it’s her neck. That led me to reflect on the other guitars in my stable. What makes them feel the way they do? Let me compare the six I know most intimately: Clapton, R6, Free, Gold Glory, Faith, and Joy.
1. Clapton (1988 Fender Eric Clapton Stratocaster)
Neck Profile: Soft V
Radius: 9.5″
Feel: The most comfortable neck I’ve played. The soft V fits my thumb naturally, and the vintage vibe pairs beautifully with modern playability. Combined with her midboost and TBX tone, she completes me. Weekly. Sometimes daily.
2. R6 (1996 Gibson Custom Shop Les Paul Goldtop Reissue)
Neck Profile: Chunky ’50s
Radius: 12″
Feel: A beast. Revered. Her neck is huge but powerful. She’s not a grab-and-go guitar, but when I want to feel the thunder, she delivers. She’s monthly, not daily. Like royalty.
3. Free (2012 Gibson Les Paul Studio ’70s Tribute Left-Handed)
Neck Profile: Rounded ’70s
Radius: 12″
Feel: A balanced fighter. Less bulky than the R6 but with enough meat to remind me she’s Gibson. Her mini humbuckers and resonance make her spiritual. We’ve had moments, especially elevating the Psalms. A solid companion.
4. Gold Glory (2020 Epiphone JJN Gold Glory)
Neck Profile: SlimTaper D
Radius: 12″
Feel: Surprisingly sleek. Needed a boost to match Free’s bite, but her feel is graceful. Fast and expressive. She replaced the Collings 290 DC S not just on economics, but on connection. She earned it in 5 minutes.
5. Faith (2023 Fender Japan Traditional 60s Mustang)
Neck Profile: U-shape
Scale: 24″
Radius: 9.5″
Feel: Chunky for her size, but her short scale makes it manageable. She’s a travel notebook: light, dependable, and always there. One for legacy, for my daughter.
6. Joy (2022 Fender Japan Junior Collection Stratocaster)
Neck Profile: Modern C
Scale: 24″
Radius: 9.5″
Feel: Effortless. She invites creativity. Her neck is forgiving, her body light, and the tone just right. She’s named well. A legacy for my other girl.
Summary Table:
| Guitar | Neck Profile | Radius | Scale | Feel Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clapton | Soft V | 9.5″ | 25.5″ | Most comfortable, my perfect match |
| R6 | Chunky ’50s | 12″ | 24.75″ | Big, bold, not for daily use |
| Free | Rounded ’70s | 12″ | 24.75″ | Balanced, expressive, emotional |
| Gold Glory | SlimTaper D | 12″ | 24.75″ | Sleek, fast, surprising replacement |
| Faith | U-shape | 9.5″ | 24″ | Short, chunky, compact and reliable |
| Joy | Modern C | 9.5″ | 24″ | Easy, fluid, a joy to play |
Each of these guitars has her place. But when my hands decide, the Clapton always wins. The neck is the handshake. And a good one lingers forever.