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Post subject: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 12:58 pm
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Here's something I've never gotten a straight answer, and perhaps someone like brotherdave or lpdeluxe might be able to help out. I've been playing Fender basses for well over 20 years. I started out on a 78, and after years of being away came back to the modern necks and hated them. Had gotten ahold of another real 78 for awhile and loved it. Then I found the RI's, and now I'm in heaven. (well...some of them...)

What I'm wondering is. When did the switch from 7.25 to 9.5 radius necks happen for basses? It seems all these "70's RI and Vintage Vibe" basses use the modern radius. Why is that? Was that when the switch happened and it was gradual? (which I find hard to believe from a manufacturing standpoint)

I always assumed it happened after CBS sold the brand, and Fender moved into the new facility as they lost a lot of tooling and machinery. Does anyone know for sure? I've never been able to get a straight answer.

If I'm correct, and the switch did happen in the 80's I have to say that I'm really disappointed in Fender and they way they are handling the 70's era RI offerings.

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Post subject: Re: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 5:10 pm
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In 1981 William Schultz became the president of the Fender/Rogers/Rhodes division of CBS and John McLaren became the managing director. Dan Smith was also hired at this same time as Marketing Director, but in spite of his title he had greater influence in instrument redesign than Marketing Directors in the past.

All 3 gents had been working at Yamaha USA. In their short tenure at Fullerton the new management team instituted some spec changes. Starting with the 82/83 models their impact showed up in production instruments such as the Stratocaster sporting the new 9.5 Radius. The Strat radius had been 12 inches for a couple of years previous while this "Dan Smith Strat" as it is now known, had more of a Pre-CBS body contour. It was a huge hit. Some of their other redesign features such as the integral Jazz Bass pickguard/control plate weren't so popular and eventually abandoned but not the 9.5" radius. When production started in Corona under the new FMIC the Dan Smith 9.5" radius was adopted across the entire line as the standard radius on all Fender guitars and basses. Having one universal neck radius simplified things and made switching from a Strat to a Tele much easier where before you probably played one or the other exclusively.

So you can safely assume that most of the pre-FMIC/Corona basses are going to be 7.25" radius instruments, except for the a few notable exceptions like the "pancake" necks some players custom ordered which were 12" radius, but these are so rare you really shouldn't worry about it. In the FMIC era the only USA made 7.25 to 7.5" radius necks that I know about have been Custom Shop instruments. A handful of vintage reissue and artist series instruments from both Japanese sub contractors like Fuji-Gen and from the Fender Ensenada plant have the 7.25 to 7.5" radius. But you have to look hard to find them.


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Post subject: Re: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 6:55 pm
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When I got my Classic '50s I was replacing a G&L L2000 with a 12" radius neck. Since I'm older'n dirt with arthritis, I was afraid it wouldn't work out. In the event, I found it very comfortable, once I let it work on its own terms. There's something about the high crown and the fat neck that fits my left hand.

Thanks for the compliment. Right now I'm separated from my library, but Brother Dave stepped up to the plate as usual. :mrgreen:

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Post subject: Re: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Tue Sep 25, 2012 9:06 pm
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I think the current 70's Reissue Jazz Bass has the vintage radius.


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Post subject: Re: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:45 am
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The 70's J maybe, but wasn't and isn't that still a CIJ import? The biggest bummer was that Fender Japan made a perfect 70's P bass, with a vintage radius. However, once they cracked down on the Japan imports that model (which for some bizarre reason was never imported here anyhow) was sent to Ensenada.

Unfortunately every 70's-ish P coming out of Ensenada has the modern 9.5 radius. It's a real bummer for someone like me who started out on an old boat anchor and still has a fondness for them.

This isn't a knock against the Ensenada plant or workers. They do amazing work and I'm sure they could easily put together reissues with vintage correct specs of topnotch quality if given the chance.

It's just a real let down that THIS is where Fender decided to be lazy and skimp out. :(

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https://www.facebook.com/CFandtheVM

2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


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Post subject: Re: Fretboard Radius
Posted: Wed Sep 26, 2012 5:53 am
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brotherdave wrote:
In 1981 William Schultz became the president of the Fender/Rogers/Rhodes division of CBS and John McLaren became the managing director. Dan Smith was also hired at this same time as Marketing Director, but in spite of his title he had greater influence in instrument redesign than Marketing Directors in the past.

All 3 gents had been working at Yamaha USA. In their short tenure at Fullerton the new management team instituted some spec changes. Starting with the 82/83 models their impact showed up in production instruments such as the Stratocaster sporting the new 9.5 Radius. The Strat radius had been 12 inches for a couple of years previous while this "Dan Smith Strat" as it is now known, had more of a Pre-CBS body contour. It was a huge hit. Some of their other redesign features such as the integral Jazz Bass pickguard/control plate weren't so popular and eventually abandoned but not the 9.5" radius. When production started in Corona under the new FMIC the Dan Smith 9.5" radius was adopted across the entire line as the standard radius on all Fender guitars and basses. Having one universal neck radius simplified things and made switching from a Strat to a Tele much easier where before you probably played one or the other exclusively.

So you can safely assume that most of the pre-FMIC/Corona basses are going to be 7.25" radius instruments, except for the a few notable exceptions like the "pancake" necks some players custom ordered which were 12" radius, but these are so rare you really shouldn't worry about it. In the FMIC era the only USA made 7.25 to 7.5" radius necks that I know about have been Custom Shop instruments. A handful of vintage reissue and artist series instruments from both Japanese sub contractors like Fuji-Gen and from the Fender Ensenada plant have the 7.25 to 7.5" radius. But you have to look hard to find them.



Wow, as always you are a font of information. Thanks, Dave! Now I know who to blame... :twisted: What a shame that the radius got carried over to the basses. I get why guitarists like it, though I prefer the 7.25 radius when playing guitar, as well. I just can't get into it on the bass. It just feels...wrong. I hate when companies view the bass as just a big guitar. Makes sense that they came from Blah-maha.

:?

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http://www.reverbnation.com/casanovafrankensteinandthevoodoomachine
https://www.facebook.com/CFandtheVM

2012 Fender Custom Shop 55 Precision Bass
2012 Fender American Vintage 57 Precision Bass RI
2014 Fender Super Bassman and Bassman 100T/410 Neo


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