I am in the process of building a Strat to be different from my other 5 Strats.....I gave some thought to maybe building this one with a 7 1/4" radius neck. What are the pros and cons of this radius?

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Frank

"Why put off till tomorrow what you can get someone else to do today"

Pros - vintage correct, if that's your thang. Can't think of any other pros. Sorry I hate 7-1/4" radius.

Cons - tend to choke out strings when doing big bands. you might need to raise the strings higher than your flatter radiused guitars to prevent strings choking. you'll have to adjust your technique. cramps your left hand. All my opinion of course.

Maybe do the best of both worlds with 7-1/4" radius with medium jumbo or jumbo frets that are filed to a little flatter radius than the actual neck. Or a compound radius neck starting at 7-1/4" and working it's way to 9.5" or 12" or whatever you want starting around the 12th fret - vintage style on frets 1 to around 11 and soloing with big bends clear and free from frets 12 on up.

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I know I will regret this come the morning, but...

The 7.25 is easier to finger as the radius gives more room for your fingers.

I mean fingering chords not singe line runs, it makes for a easier playing rhythm guitar.

But as Mr.74 pointed out, it is not what you want if your doing lead and bends and all, in that case the flatter the better.
That is why many of the 80's speed metal guitars are 15.

If I were to suggest a radius to you is would be the newer compound ones Fender has, it's the best of both worlds.

Many people will tell you the rounder radius won't allow for really high bends, Hendrix is an exception. Honestly, I'm used to my 9.5, but really, I'd love to have a 12". The action on a 12" can be really, really low compared to other profiles. You'd be happier with that. If your skilled enough, the compound radius seems to play really well. Goes from 9.5 to 14.

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I think i've got just about all the neck radius options across my humble collection.

15" , 12" , 9.5", 7.25" and a Stewmac compound radius.

The 7.25 is by far the most comfortable feeling neck of the bunch but i have found that it is slightly harder to pull big bends (as mentioned above). To get round this i have the action higher than my others to add a bit of extra grip.

Have you tried one out? If not pop down the local shop have have a play

Hope this helps

Andy

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Pending Greatness

I support all of the above comments. 'Cept: I have my geets set to pretty much Fender recommended specs as regards string action (which is probably a little higher than many players here), and I have no difficulty whatsoever doing big bends on my 7.25 radius RI necks. No choking.

Love the skinny frets too. Also love getting back on modern jumbo frets later on. Life's rich tapestry has many threads!

I say: go for it. Especially if you already have other necks with other radii. Educate your fingers with more options.

Cheers - C

A good setup will give a great playing 7.25" board.

This size radius follows the natural curve of your hand.

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Being able to play and enjoy music is a gift that's often taken for granted.

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i have a classic 50s strat with the 7.25 neck... absolutely no problems here at all. My other Fenders have a 9.5 which I really like. I was a little leary of the 7.25 when I got it, but after playing one time, all was right in fret land

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Hey, Boy Blue is back!

thanks guys......I have 9.5" radius necks on all of my other Strats, but was thinking of the possible ease of chording for my small hands. For the bulk of my playing, I am a "Melodian", I play single note melodies, whether jazz or ambient, so I may also have to try a 12" radius on the next build.

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Frank

"Why put off till tomorrow what you can get someone else to do today"

All my Fenders have 7.25" radius. Personally, I love the feel. To me, it wouldn't feel like a Fender without it.

I love my 7.25 radius guitars too!!!

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Chet Feathers

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

¡El mizmo aquí!

Seven of my eight Strats are 7¼" radiuses.

That said, I am glad that Fender offers the 9½" and the 12" for those players who prefer the flatter boards.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

im a believer that if you play it enough, you'll get used to it to the point that it feels normal. i love my 7.25

I have both 7.25 and 9.5 Strats and although I can bend anywhere I want to on the 7.25,I usually play the 9.5 because those are RW necks and I like the sound.
I think if you're a seasoned player who has bent notes for years,it won't hinder you to have a good 7.25 neck.

I had a much easier time bending on a 12" Les Paul then a 9.5" Strat, but I think it has to do with the longer scale of the strat versus the Les Paul....

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