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Post subject: Fretboard radius
Posted: Tue Oct 30, 2007 4:53 pm
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Let's talk about fretboard radius. I am looking to get a Standard Strat which has a 9.5" radius or a Delux Players Special Strat that has a 12" fretboard radius. My understanding is that the smaller the radius the better for forming cords and that a larger radius is best for string bending. Am I all goofy on this or is this something that is not important in choosing a guitar?


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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:18 am
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It's pretty important. A 9.5 inch radius is a nice balance between the two, but if you're going to be doing huge blues bends, a larger radius is better. The problem is that a small radius is more curved, meaning when you go to bend, you will fret out and catch yourself on the other strings sooner than you would if the radius is large.


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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:31 am
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Go to Warmoth.com. They have a compound radius neck that I have on one of my Strats.

There is truth to what you are asking, but like many things it's all very personal. I have a vintage neck on a Tele I built and I'm wishing that I had put the modern neck on it. I still love the guitar, but it's murder to play lead in the upper registers of the neck.

Paris


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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:35 am
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I play blues a lot (lots of bending) with a 9.5 and I haven't had a problem with notes choking out. I wouldn't go flatter than that if you want nice clean chords.
I actually wish for a compound radius that would go from 7.25 to 9.5 but I haven't seen anything like that.

My best suggestion is to look for signature strats by people who’s music you like to play and see what they are using.

-Eddie


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Posted: Wed Oct 31, 2007 9:37 am
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If lead is your thing then go with the larger radius. If you're more of a rhythm player a smaller rad. will probably be more comfortable. The only way to play lead on a smaller radius neck is to raise the action.
Case in point - Eric Johnson opted for a 12" radius on his sig. strat and sets his strings with 1/16" or less action at the 12th fret...


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Posted: Fri Nov 02, 2007 12:07 pm
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9.5" r is plenty flat in my book; I wouldn't worry about it.


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