Sometime in the 80's I believe Fender decided the 7.25" radius wasn't good enough and switched to the 9.5" radius. However, many signature models are based upon the artists favorite guitar of the day. Would it be safe to assume that Clapton, Beck, Vaughan, and all the rest have been using 7.25" radius guitars?

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"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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No, not if they were using their signature models (which they both are). The Clapton and Beck models (both production and Custom Shop) are 9.5" radius and have always been since the day they were released (or at least since the "final" 22-fret Clapton without the on-off switch for the boost was released). Of course SRV didn't live to see his signature model come out from the factory.

Also although these guys were obviously using Strats that came from the factory with a 7.25" radius it was likely that a well-worn, refretted numerous times Fender would wind up with a flatter radius anyway. Not sure about Blackie or whatever Strat Beck was using prior to their signature models, but it was pretty well documented that SRVs #1 was getting pretty close to a 12" radius by the time the original neck was destroyed a few months before his death.

I've also read that Eric Johnson's tech would put huge frets on his vintage Strats and then dress the frets down so the crown was close to a 12" radius even though the wood itself was a 7.25" radius.

Now that makes sense. Someone I know saw Number 1 in a display case and noticed how thin the Rosewood is now after the guitar was leveled and refretted after years and years.

_________________
"Epitaph on a blues musician’s tombstone: “I didn’t wake up this morning”" Davy Knowles


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