Edward

[Edward Charles]

I'm neither a hater nor a lover. I don't own a Gibson but really like the tones people get from them, so I'm attracted. I do own a Tele and a Strat and what I love about them are their necks and fretboards; I have other guitars with big necks - not a big deal, I can get along with them. The 12" radius also, when I play I can deal with. It's only when I return to the 7.25 radius of the Fenders that I realise how right they are for me. As it's possible to get Fenders with the larger radii, I just wondered why Gibson never offer that same flexibility? Or do they?

[merciful-evans]

5 minutes ago, Edward Charles said:

I just wondered why Gibson never offer that same flexibility? Or do they?

 

No. Certainly not now. Probably not ever. 

You are the first person I have ever heard praise the 7.25" rad. I used a classic (early 70s) Strat exclusively for 23 years, and never got used to the tight rad and rolled edge. That is probably 16,000 hours playing time of struggling against it. IMO, it was always a poor and counterproductive feature. 

Gibson have made Fender style guitars (the Victory was one), but I'm pretty sure they kept the flatter fingerboard. 

OK, I understand you like the 7.25" rad. Personally, I prefer 16" (such as Hagstrom make). 

[rct]

My Fenders are one 7.25" Esquire, some 9.5 Strats and Teles.  I have a 12" bound neck Strat and a 12" unbound rosewood boarded Tele with two buckers, two volumes, two tones, and the switch up top.  It's my GoldTop.  I love them all.

rct

[Twang Gang]

I think it is what you are used to.  I played mostly Gibson necks over the years so when I bought a Strat recently, I got one with a 12 inch radius so it would feel similar to what I am used to.  Others like RCT aren't as concerned with it and play a variety of different radius necks.  Just like no two necks are exactly alike, I doubt if players hands are alike either.  The size of one's hands, and the length of their fingers probably has a lot to do with what feels comfortable.  I have often noticed that many astounding guitar players seem to have quite large hands and long fingers.  My hands are only average size which is my excuse for not being a better player. 🙂

[Edward Charles]

I get that most players seem to lean towards the larger radii but many stick to the slight crown of the 7.25" (the Mayer PRS Strat for instance)

My main point I think, is that Gibson might be missing out on some players who won't even look at anything with the 12" radius and so it would just

make sense to gain access to that piece of the market.