Conical fretboard

[Plessure]

http://www.stewmac.com/How-To/Onlin...pair_and_Setup/Compound_Radius_Explained.html

This page has the maths. I put in sloppy measurements of my stratocaster, did a sloppy calculation and arrived at a 9-10.5" compound. That would be an example of a conical compound radius, save for my slight errors due to mathematical laziness. Anyway, the idea is clear. The advantages are even string height and conceptual harmony

As for me, i want slightly rounder than 9.5 at the nut, and slightly flatter up the fretboard.

What would be your ideal conical compound radius?

 

[Mincer]

Re: Conical fretboard

I like the Warmoth...10" to 16".

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Conical fretboard

I like to use a radius block to more precisely level my frets, so I prefer a flat 10" or 11".

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Conical fretboard

10 or 11 inches is not considered a flat radius. 14 or more would be....

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Conical fretboard

I meant straight radius.

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: Conical fretboard

I think the 12-16” that Jackson does is fine, but I might like 10-16” better.

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Conical fretboard

The compound radis necks that Stewmac sells are very comfy to play.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Conical fretboard

I have one Warmoth 10-16 and it feels so natural to me that my other two guitars feel a little awkward to me now.

 

[Jacew]

Re: Conical fretboard

I don't know. Don't really like any radius above 12...

 

[Silence Kid]

Re: Conical fretboard

The diagrams with a cone are a bit mis-leading; they should show the ruler closer to the point-end of the cone to more closely approximate the action of a guitar. Anyway... I did a TLDR write-up on the impact of this a while ago, as far as setting string radius & using a radius guage on a single radius neck.

Overall takeaway is even when you take away bends "fretting out" a low radius neck will never be capable of as low action as a compound radius, and also string radius should be set flatter than neck radius on anything but a compound neck.

...That said, I think most compound radii aren't actually conical; more like stepped. Also, I don't care about this stuff near as much as I used to. I play all sorts of radius necks, compound, 7.25" etc. and I really don't have trouble getting along with any.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Conical fretboard

The diagrams with a cone are a bit mis-leading; they should show the ruler closer to the point-end of the cone to more closely approximate the action of a guitar. Anyway... I did a TLDR write-up
...That said, I think most compound radii aren't actually conical; more like stepped.

10-16 seems more than conical, by the numbers. Can't be arsed to calculate right now.

The stepped thing surprises me. I'm not sure i've ever played a compound fretboard. How many steps? Wouldn't that produce an uneven fretboard surface with bumps?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Conical fretboard

Are we all stating our favorite radius? :laugh: Me and I

I play on a custom with a flat fretboard and i love it.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Conical fretboard

Are we all stating our favorite radius? :laugh: Me and I

I play on a custom with a flat fretboard and i love it.

Yeah i guess. My intention was to discuss conical fretboards in particular and y'alls idea of a good one. Then it turned into compound fretboards in general and fretboard radius in general. I don't mind.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Re: Conical fretboard

I like the Jackson 12-16" radius. I wouldn't mind if it were straight 16", though. If there's one thing I could change about my PRS, it would be its 10" radius. Much prefer flatter radii.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Conical fretboard

i like a straight radius, usually 10" for guitars with fender adjustable bridges but if its a tom bridge, i want the radii to match which is usually 12"

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Conical fretboard

Conical is to "Compound Radius" as Vibrato is to "Tremolo"

 

[Masta' C]

Re: Conical fretboard

Oh, and I'm a huge fan of the Jackson and Warmoth fingerboard profiles

 

[Plessure]

Re: Conical fretboard

Conical is to "Compound Radius" as Vibrato is to "Tremolo"

No, not every compound radius is a cone segment. And "Compound radius" is not a misnomer.

 

[orpheo]

Re: Conical fretboard

My preferred radius for a fretboard is indeed a 'compound' radius, from 9.5'' to 18''. Just a bit rounder and flatter on each respective ends.

and yes, my boards are true cones.

 

[Plessure]

Re: Conical fretboard

My preferred radius for a fretboard is indeed a 'compound' radius, from 9.5'' to 18''. Just a bit rounder and flatter on each respective ends.

and yes, my boards are true cones.

Unless my calculations are way off base, that neck would need to taper off extraordinarily in width from bridge to nut in order to be truly conical.

I'm not dissing that compound though. But on a neck of ordinary dimensions it would bring reverse string height discrepancies as compared to a single-radius fretboard.