Hey folks .....
I have a Peavey Predator with, I think, a 12 inch radius.
Being a beginner, would I notice much of a difference if I bought a new guitar with a 9.5 inch radius?
The best answer would be to go to a store and see how it feels, but is there an answer that immediately come to mind for you more experienced players?
regards,
Mark

It will be harder to chord all six strings at one time.

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That's not good. Barre chords are giving me trouble enough as it is.

But definetly, go play one. It would really depend on how you play. It may be easier for you to play a guitar with a smaller radius. I have been playing for 26 years, I like having guitars with different radii, makes you a more flexible player.

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2000 American Deluxe Stratocaster
2011 Gibson Les Paul Trad Pro 50's
2007 Epi Les Paul Custom
90's ESP Eclipse
JH-1B Jimi Hendrix Crybaby
Analogman KOT
Korg Pitchblack
Boss NS-2 PH-2
Blues Deluxe Reissue
1999 & 2007 Marshall TSL 100 w/1960BV cab

Of course you're going to notice it, because you're looking for it. Don't let the radius stop you from buying a certain guitar, you'll eventually stop focusing on the difference and learn to like it.

The feel between a 12" and 9.5" is minimal and playing full chords is no more difficult.

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A fingerboard with more curve, is often touted as being more comfortable for chording, while a flatter fingerboard is considered by many to be better for single note soloing and string bending. Which is to say, you'll find more than one opinion out there.

Like the previous poster said, try a couple. Me, I like'em a little on the flat side, around a 14.

Like most things with guitars, it all comes down to personal preference, plus everyone's hands are different, so definitely try a lot of guitars and see what feels right. Even 9.5 feels a little flat to me; as far as Fenders go I like the vintage radius. Both of my Strats are 7.25, which makes it easier for me to grab bass notes with my thumb. The idea that it's hard to bend on them never occurred to me. It's really all about what you're used to. And you'll definitely get used to the 9.5" radius after playing it for a while.

The lower the radius "7.25" the more curve the fretboard will have. So, "9.5" is less curved or flatter than "7.25" and "12" is flatter than "9.5".

heres a good website that can explain it better:

http://www.ratcliffe.co.za/articles/radius.shtml

Neck radius determines the ease of playing cords, single notes and bending. But wouldn't all of this be upset by nut width too? How would both interact with each other in obtaining the results we're looking for?

You should play and consider a compound radius fretboard like on my Am Dlx which goes from 9.25" to 14" radius. I'm very happy with mine and I consider my Strat to be the easiest to play as far as fretboard goes. A wider nut will give you a slightly wider neck but not necessarily wider string spacing. It depends on how they cut the nut. I've found that I often play better on guitars that don't necessarily feel right at first. A small thin neck feels good but I play cleaner on a wide, flat, chunky neck. Go figure?

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Hi! I was Passing by. An i have a question

Does Anyone know where I can get Fender a Flame or Birdseye Maple Left Handed Stratocaster neck with

-9.5 radius
_Vintage Frets
-22 Frets
-Soft "V" Shape?

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