COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

[Diminished Triad]

For those playing (or have played) compound radius fingerboards, could you share your experience and opinions? I prefer the 7.25 neck radius and need to go "vintage" most times (and only with Fender) to find such necks - and very few compound radius fingerboards available with that curvature. The few I have found with 7.25 compound radius (up to 12.00) I have found (4) starting with 7.25 are:

http://www.fender.com/en-GU/guitars...0s-stratocaster-maple-fingerboard-fiesta-red/

http://www.fender.com/en-GU/series/...caster-maple-fingerboard-butterscotch-blonde/

http://www.fender.com/en-GU/guitars...atocaster-rosewood-fingerboard-olympic-white/

http://www.fender.com/en-GU/series/...caster-rosewood-fingerboard-3-color-sunburst/

Anyone play/own one of these guitars? There are many more flat compound radius fingerboards - most starting off at 9.5 or so. I'm very interested though in the 7.25-12.00 compound radius fingerboards/necks. Have you tried any?

Thanks so much!

 

[Rockstar216]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

Never tried a 7.25 to 12 but own a 10-16 and it feels different from a straight constant radius. I will say it's a bit harder to get the radius at the bridge to match up to get great playability but once you do it's the greatest thing.

 

[dystrust]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I have 3 Charvels from the 80s with a 12-16 compound radius and don't really notice much difference (except setup) from my guitars with straight radius.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I don't do the whole "vintage radius" thing but I have played a ton of guitars and I bet that those are some pretty nice guitars you selected but the price is way steep. Have the basic compound Jackson fretboard and it is barely noticeable when you swap guitars.Think the best one I have is the 25" scale Strat with the 17" radius , a strange and different beast but very hand friendly. For the price of one of those guitars you could build a much nicer one yourself or even get someone else to do it.It depends a lot on what sort of player you are and how much you "require" that vintage radius.

 

[Diminished Triad]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

The vintage 7.25 is great for chords! Thanks.....

 

[Jeff5]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I've owned a Jackson and Charvel with compound radius necks. I now play PRS with non compound and also always play my Hamer with non compound. I find very little difference in using the compound radius necks. Great necks and great guitars for sure.

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I owned a Fender Hot Rod '52 Telecaster back in the days when the neck pickup was an SM-1n. I did not get on so well with its 9.5" fingerboard radius.

Strangely, the same radius on the Old Growth Redwood Tele-bration model does not faze me at all. (The OGRW T has skinny fret wire. The HR'52 had medium jumbo.)

I have two Fender-style guitars with compound radius fingerboards. They both play nicely. To be honest, I give this very little thought. If I like the feel of a neck, I just get on with playing. I am disinclined to spend very much time navel gazing.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I think its part of the magic in a Jackson neck.

 

[NecroPolo]

Re: COMPOUND RADIUS NECKS

I've been abusing a Warmoth LPS that has a compound radius neck for over a decade. It is quite different from anything else I have so I'm not sure if it's the neck that makes the difference or all the elements altogether. It feels nice for sure and for all the attributes it's my #1 guitar. I love it but considering the neck only it is not the best player I have around.