30 YEARS RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

Our AXN™ neck shapes are a result of over 30 years of research and calibration by Johnny. The result is hundreds of pages of data and over 2000 technical entries that precisely record neck shapes and vintage guitar neck profiles. We are the only luthiers that have collectively documented historic neck imprints taken directly from the most famous 1980s signature guitars. The data holds neck shape specifications unique to the 1980s such as those mentioned below.

Even today Johnny will search out artist owned signature models for scientific analysis. Honestly, every other boutique builder is just selling you a generic neck shape that they fudged a little and called it a medium or thin C profile. Where is the creativity?

As you learn a little about our neck shapes you will discover the essence of why an AXN is something very different.

LUTHIER GRADE R&D

We have created effective tooling and made these duplicates and templates for study. We recorded these awesome 1980s neck shapes. We also have stored data for many interesting modern shapes and sought after vintage neck profiles that came from the 1950s to today. This includes some beloved ‘62 Strats and vintage ‘59 Les Paul chunky profile. All this just for our creative consumption.

DOCUMENTATION With Influence

Science has played a big role in the manufacture of our AXNs. The years of R&D have revealed many things that lie just underneath. Today we are working with several famous 1980s artists. They also have helped us connected the dots. We have uncovered many details only available to those that have taken the time to study, learn and compare the science.

With our AXN Gen2 manufacturing we have fast comfortable neck shapes and unique flat fretboards as our new standard.

We have implemented a neck heel/butt size that was a in fashion for Fender and Gibson for a short time and was quite common in the 1980s. Used for a short time in guitar history, the wider 2.25” neck heel size is our standard bringing yet more 1980s authenticity and fresh uniqueness to our AXN guitars.

AXN™ Neck Shapes

Below are the AXN™ Neck Shapes offered for this model year. Because of the proprietary nature of this information some of our neck specifications will be concealed and referred to as the generic names introduced below.

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AXN™ Standard

This is our standard. This is a perfect boutique neck shape. Its both intelligent and educated. Actually, Our standard AXN neck shape is the most logical balance between thin and thick.

A true “boutique neck profile” that feels unique and hand made, our AXN neck shape is exactly inbetween a shallow-U and a Mid 60s-C profile.

Our standard neck profile is ultra-comfortable and feels both substantial and quick. This back contour virtually eliminates fatigue offering a euphoric players experience.

Don’t forget our AXNs have that ‘80s raw wood feel on the back of the neck. We create an authentic oil finish that was very very popular in the 1980s!.

  • Neck Shape - ( 2022 ) Boutique Hybrid Thin/Thick

  • Neck Shape : Thickness at 1st Fret = .794” at Fret 12= .865”

  • Fretboard Radius - 15”

  • Frets Size - ( D6100 or D6000 )

  • Nut Size - 1-11/16” - Floyd Rose = R10

  • Fretboard Edges - Squared ( Not Rolled)

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1983 Holy Grail ( Holy Grail Baretta )

This neck profile is 100% exact. This neck specification has the holy grail back contour in all places - 1st fret, 5th, 7th, fret 12 and the one-of-a-kind rear heel contour. It contains the exact fingerboard radius, size of frets, along with other unique information showcased in the original 1983 Kramer Baretta Signature Guitar.

It will be referred to as our “Holy Grail” profile

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE US CLONE A 1983 KRAMER BARETTA HOLY GRAIL ]

We are the only luthiers that have recorded the finite details of this unique neck shape. No one knows the specifications or offers this famous neck shape. We reproduce it exactly for you to enjoy. That said, we will be offering this headstock for a short time. We will discontinue this ‘83 Holy Grail banana headstock with our cool AXN headstock shape very soon.

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1981-1982 Bumblebee ( Bumblebee )

This neck profile was born in Glendora or San Dimas as some remember. This neck specification has the exact same technical specifications as the first of five Bumblebee guitars Grover Jackson delivered as gifts to someone famous in 1981. It contains the exact fingerboard radius, size of frets, along with other unique information showcased in the Special Edition Bumble Bee black and gold striped guitar Grover sold in limited quantities in late 1979 to early 1982.

It will be referred to as our “Bumblebee” profile

[ CLICK HERE TO SEE A 1980 CHARVEL BUMBLE BEE BEING MEASURED INCH BY INCH ]

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1985 GL ( Prototype Kamikaze Profile ) available now

This neck profile was created in 1985 for George Lynch when he was working with Kramer Guitars. We own this Prototype Kramer Kamikaze.

This neck specification contains the exact back shape and contour, fingerboard radius, size of frets, along with other unique information showcased in the original design for the Kramer GL Kamikaze Prototype manufactured in 1985. It exhibits his playing preferences from Tooth & Nail which show some minute differences from later official ESP Kamikazes.

It will be referred to as our “Prototype Kamikaze” profile

GL Signature Kamikaze Profile ( not launched in AXNs yet )

George called for a very unique neck shape in most of the high end Kamikaze guitars. Near all the early Kamikazes had it.

That neck shape had “pronounced shoulders” a flat fretboard radius. The nut shelf was 1-3/4” nut size with a 1-11/16” nut mounted with some space on either side of that nut. That neck was still a 1-3/4” wide neck at the nut. If you owned any real Kamikaze guitars you know about this Kamikaze neck shape. Very Very unique and original neck profile not found on any other guitars ever. George developed this profile with ESP in th early 1990s.

It will be referred to as our “GL Kamikaze” profile. We will offer this cool neck shape in 2023!

Les Paul Standard Neck Profile ( 1959 )

That's the year that everything came together right. The 1959 Les Pauls imprint is considered the quintessential perfect neck profile by many guitarists and our AXN™ version is exact.

This vintage profile is well known. Collectors familiar with that era Les Paul know its specifications as approximately .879” at the first fret and at fret twelve its .955” and featured a so called “rounded C profile”. That said, the neck profile varied in size and shape due to it being hand carved and boasted a 12" fretboard radius the whole way up the neck. The frets Gibson used were approximately .100’’ fretwire when they came out of the Kalamazoo Michigan facility in 1959.  This is a desirable profile which is large enough to feel comfortable but small enough to still be fast playing.

Our AXN™ version of the 59’ neck specifications :

  • Fretboard Radius - 12”

  • Frets used - Dunlop 6105

  • Nut Size - R4 or 1-11/16”

  • Fretboard Edges - Squared ( Not Rolled)

  • Thickness at 1st Fret: 869”

  • Thickness at 12th Fret: .956"

  • Shape - unique and between a thin U and Med C

  • AXN™ 59’ necks may be Mahogany, Korina ( White Limba), and/or other woods

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Below Are Neck Profiles that we will be offering in year 2023 models. These are not currently available on production AXN™ Guitars.

1982 Randy Rhoads ( Pre-Production from Grover Jackson’s Specifications )

Slated for a 2023 launch here at AXN™ Guitars. This profile is the most accurate Randy Rhoads specification and taken from an San Dimas “employee build guitar” containing the coveted RR neck profile.

1974 JEL Whitey ( Whitey )

Slated for a 2023 launch here at AXN™ Guitars. This profile is JEL’s Whitey Strat. Details forthcoming.

1984 AH ( 84 Holdsworth The Charvel Years )

Slated for a 2023 launch here at AXN™ Guitars. This profile is Allan Holdsworth’s 1984 Charvel forthcoming.

AXN™ NECK SHAPES VIDEO

You Can Get Close or You Can Get an AXN™ Our AXN™ neck shapes are a result of over 30 years of research which resulted in hundreds of pages of data and over 2000 technical entries. We are the only luthiers that have collectively documented historic neck imprints taken from the famous 1980s guitars.