I recently got a 2007 DP Strat and just haven't had much luck getting used to the 12" radius fret board. Anybody else have that problem? What is the advantage (or disadvantage) to it over the MIM 9.5" boards?
I have an MIM Strat and an MIM Tele (both 2006) and I can really feel the difference. Or at least I think I can.



Thanks,
Jim

I dont like flat boards at all. Any assistance they give to bending is far outweighed by the discomfort caused during extended rhythm playing. Great for intricate lead playing but thats about it. All the talk of being unable to bend on 7.25" boards is greatly exaggerrated. If you have a moderate action you can bend on them.

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No no and no

The vast majority of Strats which I've owned were the 7.25" radius. I had no singular problems with any of them and managed quite well. This was even before any other radius was offered. For some reason or other, I could not get used to the handful of 9.5" ones I owned and ultimately sold them all. Yet, here's the crazy thing: The first time I put my hand around a DP's 12" radius, I couldn't stand it. For whatever reason, I continued to play it in the showroom. After about 20 minutes, I bonded with it and now own it. I really don't understand it but choose to not argue with success either. FWIW though, playing slide on it is a breeze.

Personally, I think Fender offered the 12" to sway Gibson or more likely, Epiphone enthusiasts towards Fender and/or to see how well the option would take off in general with hopes of converting G&L players [back] to Fender as well.

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You dig?

Discomfort can be a problem like Niki said. I have platyed on compound necks and they are nice (16"-10")

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

I hear this discomfort issue from a lot of people. Believe it or not though, I think some of it has to do with how low one hangs their guitar while they are standing and playing. I do wear my strap slightly higher than most but this way, I don't have to have such an extreme angle with my wrist on my left hand. Granted, it doesn't look as slick as others with the strap up a bit but again, I think this is the key to ne not experiencing the flatter radius discomfort.

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You dig?

I am more comfortable playing 7.25 radius fretboards.

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Chet Feathers

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

I agree, i play a SRV with a 12" radius and i play with my guitar fairly high up and have no problems playing either rhythm or lead . I also have a 9.5 and there is a noticable difference.Definately easier to do bends with , as far as being uncomfortable for rhythm playing ,you cant prove it by me.

I guess I'm the odd ball out of the bunch. I prefer a 9.5 radius. It just fits my hands the best or I'm just used to a 9.5/modern C neck.

A 9.5 or 12 is like the happy medium for me any flater is ok. for a while but thats it 7.5 is ok. but I tend to fret out on it. The compound's I have tried were nice though with the flater area where you do most bending and smaller radius where you doing most your rhythm.

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The strongest reason for the people to retain the right to keep and bear arms is, as a last resort, to protect themselves against tyranny in government.

Thomas Jefferson

That is perfectly sensible CV!

I like it flat for rock/metal lead soloing and shred type stuff.

The arched necks are better for song-birdy type stuff where you sing and play and bang out some chords or something.

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-Kc
"Payin' dues."

Martian did you ever receive classical training? When i owned a jackson V i found the only way to play it was sitting flamenco style with the headstock level with my ear. Despite its flat radius it didnt hurt at all. Thats the only guitar i've played where pain hasnt been an issue on a flatboard.

I like curves

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No no and no

Then I'm another odd ball! 9.5 is good for me. I do fine on 7.25 - but I sure notice the difference. 12 on a Gibson is the flattest neck I regularly play - 'cept a classical guitar of course, but that's a different issue.

9 to 12 inches: absolutely good. 7.25 seems to start demanding a certain type of music to be played on it, but that's OK too!

Cheers - C

for some reason, 9.5" fretboards put me in a more cruisy, spacious frame of mind while 7.25" draws out more focused, biting stuff. I think it's because I can wrap my hand more around the narrower board, like a neanderthal with a favourite club. Life being as it is at the moment I'm feeling the 7.25" a bit more.

To me, 7.25" radius feels sexy, whereas 9.5" or 12" feels like a Gibson.