Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

[Gunny47]

I've just been wondering, if you were to order a strat with jumbo frets, would it be better to get a larger fingerboard radius? For example, a normal Time Machine NOS guitar (or closet classic or relic for that matter) has a fingerboard radius of 7.5 or 7.25 or something like that. If you were to order one of those with jumbo frets, would it be better to make the neck radius like 9.5? Is there a general rule for this (bigger fretwire, bigger the fingerboard radius) or something similar? I was just wondering because all the vintage spec reissue strats have smaller "vintage style" frets and smaller (in the 7s) fretboard radis while the modern strats have larger medium jumbo frets with 9.5 neck radius. Thanks for any replies.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

vintage Fenders typically had a tighter radius, most if them were around 7.25 inches and vintage Fenders also used small wire frets...most people tend to prefer a flatter radius (9.5 and up) as well as fatter frets. There are no set rules as to which goes with which. A lot of guys get their vinatge (or vintage style) Fenders re fretted with fatter frets but leave the 7.25 radius, some guys get the fingerboard re shapped with a flatter radius as well...it's all a matter of taste.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

Yeah the best thing to do is to separate them mentally. There's no correlation. The tops of the frets are going to be level (assuming they're properly levelled) regardless of the radius, so they truly are not related.

The only way you could generalize a connection is to say that flat radius players generally play with a lighter "tap the string down" left hand technique, so they'd benefit from the extra grip on the string that a tall fret provides. The round radius "squeeze it like a baseball bat" player may prefer the vintage frets because he can strangle the heck out of the neck, and the notes won't pull sharp, nor will the strings cut in to the fingers as deeply. But it's not a correlation, just a stereotyping of playing styles.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

Knowing that, I'll probably go with the 9.5 radius if I get a custom order strat. It will probably make the neck feel a little chunkier and more of what I am used to with my Les Paul. Easier for me to play my jazz with the flatter neck, I'm not really a Hendrix self-taught style beat the living sh!t out of your guitar guitar player. I'm more of a "soft touch chord" guy with my left hand and hit the chord hard with my right etc etc.

BTW, I just got a quote for a custom order strat. I decided to save up the money for it. I've been working this summer a lot so hopefully I can get something in about a year or two. I looked on the internet for a guitar shop that would ship a guitar, give me a good price, work with me over the internet with speedy responses and would be very helpful and flexible about the specs I'd want for the guitar, and I turned to The Music Gallery. I sent them an e-mail requesting (after extensive research and playing strats at the stores for a few weekends straight) a quote for a '56 NOS strat in Lake Placid Blue with jumbo frets and a AA flamed maple neck. The price came out to be $2350 which was very good considering that I seen 2 stock '56 NOSs with AA flamed maple necks for $2700 at a different shop.

I have to email them again requesting another quote, a quote for the same guitar with a '60s pickguard (like the 3ply mint green ones off of a '60 NOS Strat) and a 9.5 neck radius. How much money do you think these things will cost? Do you think it will add a lot of money to the total price of the guitar? Thanks.

 

[Gunny47]

Re: Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

I just found out that the Eric Johnson strat has a 12" neck radius, and that guitar had one of the most comfortable necks ever. What do you guys think about putting a 12" neck radius on my custom order strat with jumbo frets? Thanks.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Fingerboard Radius in relation to Fret Size

12" radius with jumbos is pretty typical of a modern strat style guitar. You should like it just fine.