Neck Radius Question

[fastforded]

so i guess in reality there would be a fingerboard radius and a (back of neck) radius when you are trying to figure out a comfortable neck?

i have been looking at some Ibanez necks, and found some specs,

http://www.jemsite.com/jem/necks.htm

but i would think these specs are for the fingerboard radius and not the back of the neck radius?

thanks, any info appreciated

 

[CTN]

Mostly the shapes of neck backs are not governed by a fixed radius. They're usually somewhat elliptical. Long side at center of the neck in the case of a C or U shaped neck and short side center on the case of a flat U or a D shape. Then you have the pointy profiles like soft and hard V's and asymmetrical shapes which are less common.

Neck shapes usually go by a profile (C, D, U, V, etc) and accompanying thickness measurements at 1st and 12th frets to determine the tapering of the neck up the fretboard.

Those specs you're looking at are for fretboard radius measured in millimeters (common way of doing it in Europe and Asia)

 

[fastforded]

Re: Neck Radius Question

thanks, i use a under string radius gauge to tell me the fingerboard radius...

not sure how i can check a back of the neck radius though, especially if the back of neck has a compound radius?

im comparing several necks and wanted to get some specifics on the dimensions...

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Neck Radius Question

thanks, i use a under string radius gauge to tell me the fingerboard radius...

not sure how i can check a back of the neck radius though, especially if the back of neck has a compound radius?

im comparing several necks and wanted to get some specifics on the dimensions...

Never seen anyone offer exact specs... You will get usually a shape description then a measurement at the 1st and 12th fret and thats about as good as it gets. Many necks are finished by hand so the contour from neck to neck varies a little so exact specs are useless. Hence the vauge descriptions. Its really a try and feel situation.

 

[fastforded]

Re: Neck Radius Question

Never seen anyone offer exact specs... You will get usually a shape description then a measurement at the 1st and 12th fret and thats about as good as it gets. Many necks are finished by hand so the contour from neck to neck varies a little so exact specs are useless. Hence the vauge descriptions. Its really a try and feel situation.

Yep makes sense. Just doesn't make it easier to compare the necks. Thinking about it I guess the back of the neck isn't that much important compared to the fingerboard radius...

Just thinkin how uncomfortable a les paul neck is for me and a strats neck is a lot better but it seems that the Ibanez necks just feel and fit like a glove in my hand...

 

[Edgecrusher]

Re: Neck Radius Question

Yep makes sense. Just doesn't make it easier to compare the necks. Thinking about it I guess the back of the neck isn't that much important compared to the fingerboard radius...

Just thinkin how uncomfortable a les paul neck is for me and a strats neck is a lot better but it seems that the Ibanez necks just feel and fit like a glove in my hand...

The good news is that Ibanez necks are pretty consistant. You can compare a half dozen wizards and they will all feel very similar. I own 1 les paul and the only reason i own it is cause it was one that i finally found that i REALLY like the neck on. Compared to other LP necks its much narrower and missing a lot of the bulk on the sides of the neck its almost a V shape instead of the usual C.

 

[fastforded]

Re: Neck Radius Question

The good news is that Ibanez necks are pretty consistant. You can compare a half dozen wizards and they will all feel very similar. I own 1 les paul and the only reason i own it is cause it was one that i finally found that i REALLY like the neck on. Compared to other LP necks its much narrower and missing a lot of the bulk on the sides of the neck its almost a V shape instead of the usual C.

Yep I would almost bet that neck was shaved... Had some work done to it.
Hard for me to imagine the cross sections of the necks... Guess I need to really start paying attention to the shapes... I had a Flying V that had a really pronounced v shape neck a while back

Kinda hard to play that one, my thumb was always trying to get in the center of the neck.. Seemed more natural. Hated that neck, thumbs much happier on a flat d shaped neck

 

[AlexR]

Re: Neck Radius Question

There is a tool that looks like a comb which would be useful for you, it is called a profile gauge. Just buy one of those and you can get a precise 3D sense of the neck profile you like. Its also useful to take into a shop do do a direct comparison on necks there.

 

[fastforded]

Re: Neck Radius Question

There is a tool that looks like a comb which would be useful for you, it is called a profile gauge. Just buy one of those and you can get a precise 3D sense of the neck profile you like. Its also useful to take into a shop do do a direct comparison on necks there.

Yep know the tool you mean...

you can check moulding profiles with it.

Perfect idea. Thanks

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Neck Radius Question

The wizard II necks on my rgs
Have a flat 14" radius fretboard
And the back of the neck has a flattened streak down the center that some like
And some don't

It depends on how you play
If you have more of a lifted palm with.only the thumb pad and finger tips making contact

Then you will like it

Most players rest their palms on the back of the.neck and when it has nothing to rest on
It causes tension in the thumb tendon

This would be the pain they describe

Once you get used to it, it's ok

I like both the fender and Ibanez necks I have

*(Sent from my durned phone!)*