Hi everyone! I'm new to the community so excuse me if this topic has been beaten to death. I have a G&L USA invader with a 12" radius neck. I'm really drawn to the Fender American Standard series which has a 9.5" radius. What's the pro's & con's of the 9.5" or does it matter? Is the 9.5" easier to play? (BTW, I'm not located where I can easily try the Fender model). I'd order one from Guitar Center but I'd feel guilty returning it after trying it a couple of days. I look forward to hearing from you. Thanks!

Rounder the fingerboard/easier the chording. Thats about it on a well set up guitar.

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No no and no

Some people say it's easier to bend on a 12" radius board then a 9.5"... I however am not one of them.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

To me 12" is too flat. 7.25" is actually quite nice for playing slow bluesy stuff, but not so good as for heavy soloing. Although, I have 7.25 on my Thinline that I use for playing old-school delta stuff on, and it works great for that. 9.5" is just right overall ... a little rounded, but not too much. You can really rock out with it.

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+1

Had an ibanez with a wizard 2 neck. they are very very flat and very wide. super thin but only really good for running up and down through scales on. not great for bending. Am Dlx Strat has a 9.25' neck which is perfect.

It's funny, but when I've been playing my 12" Tele Deluxe for a long time, going back to my 9.5" Strat or Jazzmaster feels like I'm holding a round dowel! It really takes some adjustment for me. I can't imagine going to 7.25".

I do agree that barre chords are easier on the 9.5" neck.

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I really like all them "Aster" guitars. You know, like the Stratoc, Telec and Jazzm.

I can handle barre chords using my thumb for the bottom E and A strings on a Fender 9.5 radius boards a lot easier than 12" radius like on the Deluxe Players Strat. The neck, overall is too meaty for me though I have long and slender fingers. Also, for me, the neck is too thick for fast runs like you could get from a flat, thin neck like the Ibanez Wizard IIIs or a Gibson SG for music like Heavy metal or Jazz Fusion.

To me, the 9.5" radius for the modern Fenders fits perfectly. I especially like the jumbo fret wires that were used on my HW1. Now that's a perfect blues guitar!

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"If I don't see you no more in this world I'll meet you on the next one and don't be late... don't be late." -Jimi Hendrix

I dig the 12" on my SRV, but its the combination of the flat radius and the tall frets .I have played the deluxe and dont really care for it.The 9.5 is ok,but I have a love hate with the modern C neck.Doing barre chords on the SRV is easier than the 9.5 modern C to me.

Flatter radii contribute to lower action, but at the cost of being able to bend the strings easily. I have big fingers and I can get my action down there pretty close to the frets up and down the neck, but then they just slip out from underneath of my fingers. I'd say it depends on what you play mostly, but for me, I can go from 16" to 9.5" now without really noticing it at all. The major benefit of the 9.5 is definitely comfort; you aren't holding your fingers board straight on barre chords. The Fender necks feel great and I'm sure you'll love the Strat soon if not immediately. I say go for it!

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60th Anniversary AD Strat, Deluxe Nashville Tele, Player's P Bass. Mesa/Boogie Mk IV combo, Marshall JCM800, 1960A cab, Genz Benz El Diablo 60, Genz 2x12" cab, too many neat little practice amps and kit projects!

So, would the 9.5" radius & modern "C" neck be a good choice for a casual player just above beginner status such as myself? BTW, thanks all for the comments.

I would definitely say yes.Most strats are 9.5 radius modern C.You will find most strats necks out there are this .Play for a while and after you become more accomplished then maybe try some different setups.There iare a bunch others to sift thru,but if it were me , I would get comfortable with the neck and them once you become better , check out other necks and radius".

Oh I was trying to say that I don't think either is easier than the other. I don't even notice the difference in radius.

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Tune Low, Play Hard & Floor it!

9.5 is considered a happy medium. The flatter the neck the easier to bend. Chording on lower radius. This is the idea as to why compound radius necks start with the lower radius at the nut and become flatter towards the heel. 10" to 16" at heel can be had.

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I have a little trouble with bends on my 7.25 strat but chords are a breeze. of the 4 guitars I currently own none have a 9.5 radius. I just dont like it.

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