I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

[danglybanger]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Then your action is higher than mine and you don't play like I do. There is no way I could play leads the way I do with high action on a 7.25" radius. The way you play, it may work for you. For me, not at all. It has to be flatter to be playable. Same with the frets. With the way I play, the smaller frets just don't cut it.

I'm not too bendy, if I want to bend more I use the trem anyway... which is different altogether I know but still...

For some reason "fretting out" happened less when I had my neck shimmed more than it needed to be.

my metal ruler tells me 1.5mm over the 22nd fret on both my axes anyway.

 

[ErikH]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

What's your measurement at the 12th fret? That's more realistic. The 22nd fret can be the same for a bunch of guitars but different at the 12th-15th because of neck relief. Of course, this all depends on how much relief the neck has. If it's bowing, then it'll surely be higher at the 22nd fret than the 12th.

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Told you that ASAT was rubbish Keith!!! Have it in the post to me tomorrow!!

 

[stevie_bees]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

I can't really say I take much notice of fret radii. It either plays nice or it don't....

 

[danglybanger]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

a tiny bit above 1.

 

[ErikH]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

a tiny bit above 1.

1mm?

 

[danglybanger]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

1mm?

hah err yes 1mm, I'd call it about 1.15 it I had to guess at it.

 

[ErikH]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

hah err yes 1mm, I'd call it about 1.15 it I had to guess at it.

That's pretty darn low. Then again, you said you don't bend much (not until after I said your action must be higher than mine...lol) so you can afford to go as low as you can. On my 9.5" necks, it's about 1.6mm-2.0mm (per Fender Strat setup guide). On my compound radius neck, it's a little lower than that. I like to be able to dig in and get under the strings. Different style, different setup. I'd probably go crazy playing your guitar...lol.

 

[danglybanger]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

2 step bends seem a bit over the top for me, people do that? :laugh2:

 

[ErikH]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

I can bend 2 steps if I have to. 1.5 is about max though.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Told you that ASAT was rubbish Keith!!! Have it in the post to me tomorrow!!

I was wondering how long it would take you to chime in and try to get me to give it up.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

2 step bends seem a bit over the top for me, people do that? :laugh2:

Wait, what exactly is a 2 step bend? How many frets?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Wait, what exactly is a 2 step bend? How many frets?

Four.

 

[BigAlTheBird]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

That's what I thought.

Yeah that's a lot, but it happens.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

That's what I thought.

Yeah that's a lot, but it happens.

Especially if you're playing Gilmouresque lines.

 

[Falstaff]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

I'm with you...anything modern feels strange to me.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

So after doing some measurements, I think these are the radii for my three main guitars:

'94 Les Paul Standard = 10"
'01 MIM Stratocaster Standard = 9.5"
'06 G&L ASAT Classic S = 12"

Do these measurements seem typical (at least for the LP Stand. and MIM Strat Stand.)?

I'm definitely most comfortable playing the Strat, at least from a neck radius perspective.

- Keith

 

[ErikH]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Those are standard radii for those models, Keith. All the MIM Standard Strats are 9.5" unless otherwise specified.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

Those are standard radii for those models, Keith. All the MIM Standard Strats are 9.5" unless otherwise specified.

Okay, cool. I just wanted to be sure I was reading my radius gauges correctly. There's not much difference between the curvature on the 9.5" and the 10", as you know.

Thanks, Erik.

- Keith

 

[uOpt]

Re: I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

The Gibson should have 12", but I wouldn't be surprised if some Gibsonologist can point out all the exceptions.