Kind of a dumb question here maybe. I'm a casual new player in my mid-fifties and I would appreciate your opinion. I'm looking at a Fender American Standard and a G&L Legacy. The neck is what I am most focused on. The Fender has a 1 11/16 nut with 9.5" radius fretboard, the G&L has a 1 5/8 nut with a 12" radius fretboard. I'm not sure about the shapes. Bottom line I'm looking for the most comfortable and easiest to play and of course learn on. I don't get to play but maybe 15 minutes a day so my learining curve is quite long so playability is important. I have heard the Fender neck is the easiest and most playable. BTW, I don't have the pleasure of trying these in the store. Thank you very much for your advice.

I think the Fender would be the better choice, because a smaller radius is much easier to chord on.
-John

I'd have to agree, the fender neck is a well researched generic shape that suits a large number of players. I myself do prefer the 1,5/8 nut width, but I was a good ten years into playing when I discovered thats what I favour.
As a beginner (were all learners) with a somewhat lengthy amount of time before you, you could well develop more of a dependency on a particular neck/fretboard shape. In that case it would be better to be used to a generic shape that you wont have too much trouble moving to a flatter/wider neck or a thinner/rounder neck. You'd be sort of center and able to up or down a bit.

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Please pardon my rude intrusion guys, first, excellent input as always Nik! i just wanted to query you Nik, about your preference of the 1,5/8 " nut width. It's just amazing to me, that such a small difference in size can make a tangible difference. exactly how specificaly does the 1,5/8 work better for you please?

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

I dont have the biggest hands and wear my guitars low

It makes for a thin E-E at the nut end where I wrap my thumb around. I can do the same fine on a 1,11/16 its just more comfortable on the smaller one. As you go up the neck to the 56mm heel I dont play on the bass strings so dont need the thumb.

Bad habits abound.

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No no and no

Ah, wow, amazing just how many physics are involved! Thanks guy, it makes sense now!

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I believe in Christianity as i believe that the sun has risen. not only because i see it, but because by it, i see everything else. C.S. Lewis

Hi GoldTopsRock! Welcome to the forum, and welcome to the world of the guitar. I began just a couple of years ago in my 40s. For the most part, I agree with those who recommend the 9.5" fretboard radius. I have a Strat and a Jazzmaster with a 9.5" and a Tele with a 12" radius. I find the 9.5" radius much easier for playing chords. Oddly enough though, the Tele is my favorite of the three. Maybe I'm just a masochist.

I would recommend that you visit your local guitar shop with a knowledgeable friend. Even if you can't play the instrument, your friend can advise you on how to place your hand on the neck and fretboard. Just see what feels comfortable to you: neck, fretboard, scale length, body shape, etc. Then pick the one you like and start learning and playing!

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