Thor Mark III: Asymmetric Trapezoidal Neck
The asymmetric trapezoidal neck profile combines two unique neck profiles.
The trapezoidal neck profile has an angular cross-section, which offers exceptional ergonomics for both thumb-over and pinch-grip players. The angular shape gives it a wider and flatter contact area to grip, thereby giving it superior playability and stability.
An asymmetric neck profile has a shape that is thicker on the bass side (the thumb side) to maintain a robust overall thickness, which further improves stability, while making it easier to reach around the neck.
This asymmetric trapezoidal neck has an off-center top plane that maintains a straight-line transition across the neck, similar to a standard asymmetric neck, but with a trapezoidal shape. The low E side has a steeper angle than the high E side, allowing the bulk of the neck to rest naturally in the curve of the palm while tapering beneath the fingers for enhanced comfort.
The original Thor neck design is inspired by the Ibanez JEM7V, Steve Vai’s signature model. It has a thin “C” to “D”-shaped neck profile, more accurately classified as an ultra-thin C or Wizard-style neck with slight flattening towards the back. This profile has the comfort of a C-shape but with a slightly flatter feel, especially near the center, making it closer to a D-shape in some areas, with 19 mm thickness at the first fret, 21 mm at the twelfth fret, and 21 mm at the 12th fret.
This design retains the ultra-thin taper and sleek feel of the original Mark II. The volute, which reinforces the neck-to-headstock transition, has also been minimized and moved further back to maintain structural integrity while reducing bulk. The modern aesthetics align perfectly with Thor’s design.
The Mark III neck maintains the original Thor neck construction: nine layers of laminated maple, wenge, and carbon fiber. This construction is extremely stable against changes in temperature and humidity. Over the years, the original Thor neck has proven remarkably reliable, and this new iteration carries that same DNA forward.
