Looking for a Strat and am thinking the necks with 7" - 9" radius would work well with my small hands. I know sometimes you may have issues with bending strings but thats ok. Gonna have to get my hands on some and try. Don't know if a V or C shaped neck would be an advantage either. Your thoughts?

Try out as many Strats as you can at your local music store to find what's comfortable for you.

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Radius doesn't necesarily tell you much in that regard.
A 9.5 radius neck can have different shaped neck profiles and can be narrow or wide.
There was some post (I wish I could remember the title) that had a list of neck widths.

For me (a man with pretty small hands) the 9.5 soft V that came with the 50's Player is perfect.

You might not believe it, but you may want to check out the SRV strat.I have fairly small hands and sometimes have trouble with the Modern C neck.I was always told to stay away from the SRV because the neck is meant for people with "big hands".I sat down and tried it one day and guess what? Even thoughit is pretty thick,it fits my hands better than anything i have played so far.It might be a thick neck, but it is narrower than alot of the necks out there.The modern c neck is wide and thin where the SRV neck is thick and narrow.I would try every type of neck profile you can get your hands on and you will know which one is best.Since i have gotten used to the modern c i can play it better than before ,but i still prefer the SRV.

Step 1: Go to a couple of Music Stores and sit down with every guitar you can to find what feels comfortable to you.

Step 2: Find out what neck or necks feels right.

Step 3: Try out all the guitars with the neck you like to find the one guitar that is for you.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

My hands are also small.
I shave them down.
My 85 LP Studio,
My Bullet/SRAT hybrid,
My ALLParts Swamp Ash and CBS wide neck.
Not for the timid.

You can either have the shop tech do it or do it yourself.
If you do it yourself;
Take it real easy or the blade will distort your neck.
Sand between shavings.

Maple is very tough with very tiny grain.
You almost have to go out of your way to ruin it.

Thanks BJ maybe the finger stretcher would make me taller too!

You would be the same height but your knuckles would probably drag on the ground.

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I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

For Fender Stratocasters: play the Clapton, and the Vintage Hotrod.

Also see if you can find a used Musicman EVH or Peavy EVH. The neck has a hybrid cross section. The new EVH/Fender collaboration is a pricey guitar unless the 2K range is a price point you can reach.

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Texasguitarslinger, and CAFeathers gave you the best advise. Don't buy a Strat until you find the one that feels right for you, sounds good, and makes you feel like you've found the perfect extention to your anatomy.

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there are a few strats on CL im going to try out. One is a Clapton, another A USA standard and a beautiful '57 reissue. That should help me decide.

The Knopfler strat has a smaller width apparently. Also if you look around cheaper models you can find some differences. My MIM has a 38mm width at the nut as opposed to the standard 42mm. No doubt a mistake at manufacture that has been covered up. Still it makes for a nice playing experience.
A now retired friend of mine had trouble with arthritis in his hands to the point where he couldnt play. I told him about a supliment i used when i suffered a sports injury, chrondrotin glucosamine sulfate. Its very good for joint pains and can be bought at most herbal remedy places. If your taking any medicine check with your doc first though.

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No no and no

Try as many as you can to find the one that fits YOU best. I can tell you that the '07 MIM Arctic White Strat with maple fb had a very thin/narrow neck that I think was described as a soft C shape.