I Think My Neck Radius Preference Is in the Minority Here

[ErikH]

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.

I started to rethink that after I posted but wasn't 100% sure. I think the Studio I had in the early 90's had a 10" radius.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

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

Well, for whatever reason, my LP is definitely a 10" radius. I just checked again with the gauge, and it rocks side to side on the 12", but sits properly with the 10", and no gap in the middle of the gauge.

- Keith

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

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

Something else I'm finding is that I prefer a neck profile that's beefier than the Strat or ASAT -- something closer to the Les Paul, but perhaps just a bit less thick. There's just not enough wood in that Strat neck to support my palm.

I wonder how I'd like a "V" profile. Is it the Clapton signature model that has a "V" profile? The Jeff Beck signature model has a beefier-than-normal Strat neck too, right?

- Keith

 

[BigAlTheBird]

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

How do you measure radius?

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

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

How do you measure radius?

You need a radius gauge.

- Keith

 

[stevie_bees]

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

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

Well..... You've gotta take your chances eh????

 

[KeeperOS]

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

Dunno, the most comfortable radius I remember playing was a Jackson Dinky, I think it was 10-14, my Strat has 9.5 and my Cort 12, honestly, I think I prefer the Strat radius-wise but the neck profile is so fat I acn't stand it for too long...

I think anywhere from 9.5 to 12 though is ok for me, it's the frets that make all the difference IMO

 

[Gamera]

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

Didn't take long before my fingers started to hurt -- not a tired, aching hurt, but a hurt like the edges of the fingerboard were digging into my index finger.

This is precisely what happens to me and one of the reasons I prefer my Strat 9.5" to my V 12" radius. For some things the V feels awesome, I just can't seem to sustain it long before it starts feeling crampy.

 

[cream123]

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

7.25 FTW!


it feels best on my hands.....but I'm not really grown up all the way.

 

[RushOfBlood]

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

I think something like 8 would be perfect for me

 

[Ascension]

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

I played Ibanezes and neck through shreadder neck Carvins for years. Anything under 12 I won't play. I was looking last year at the new Carvin V220 I was thinking or ordering one with the 20. I vibrato and bend the heck out of um and have a hard time playing that stuff with smaller frets and tight radii.

 

[Lazarus1140]

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

I think my Warmoth compound radius neck is 12-16 which is OK. I THINK the Suhr standard is 10-14. I have not played that but it sounds ideal to me.

Now if I could just find a strat type guitar with the 10" - 14" neck radius and a 25.25" - 25.3" scale .......

 

[DrownInk]

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

I have two 12" radies guitars and one ten inch. For metal I prefer the 12", but bluesy jazzy stuff the 10" radius. I would really like a 7.5", but I dont like bending with them and I do alot of bending... With chords you can't beat a smaller radius though because it will take more to bend notes out of tune with the rest-besides the comfort thing is a logical choice...

I think a compound radius is ideal though...gotta get me one of them!!

 

[Mephis]

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:

I guess that's why I've never had issues with my ric and lead work.

I never really push beyond 1 step. Not my style, I'll just slide up and bend if I need to go that far.

 

[Bludave]

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

I have a lot of guitars and for the most part can play and feel comfortable with all. But I feel most confortable with a Strat that has a 9.5" radius.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

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

I know that the radius on my strat is 12", and my bass is 7.25" (thanks to the handy radius guides Dan Erlewine included in one of his books), coz I just adjusted the strings to match. However, I have no idea about the radii of my Kramer or Ibanez. I'm glad, too, coz otherwise I might convince myself that I required a certain spec to play properly.

I did just get a Washburn classical, and that is taking a bit of adjusting, but I can still jump from the skinny, round bass neck to the flat, stupid wide acoustic.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

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

My neck radius is bigger than yours.

 

[Pink Unicorn Horsey]

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

My neck radius is bigger than yours.

But your truss rod is busted.

 

[YJM_Rocks]

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

But your truss rod is busted.

Ohhh, burn....

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

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

How do you measure radius?

You can make a radius gauge by using some poster board and drawing the arc, by tying a string to a marker, and by making the length of the string from the center of the circle that is the radius distance. Then cut out the arc that you traced.