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Please explain neck radius to me.


Lungimsam

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Somewhat, it depends how critical you are on the feel of it. More of a curve or flatter. Some players say they don't notice it at all. Yes, the Fender is 9.5. I had a G&L SB-2 made up with a vintage thin #6 neck and a 7.5 radius fretboard.

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Does the difference in neck radius effect the feel of the playing?

 

Are some radii more desireable than others for certain things?

 

A larger radius means a flatter neck. Some styles of play favor that, others do not.

 

Classical guitars have an almost flat neck. Shredders like 'em too.

 

Some say a guitar with a small radius inhibits bending.

 

An upright with a lot of curvature at the bridge is more suited to playing a single string with a bow than one with a flatter bridge (which might be better if you wanted to bow three note chords.

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I hope you're not 'shopping by radius'.

 

Even with fine advice about the feel

or application of different curves, it

means little by itself. The radius has

to be considered in combination with

the neck profile [back of neck], plus

the width of the neck, such that an

overall cross secton of the complete

neck and FB results. That complete

shape is the shape in your hand.

 

If you had a nearly semicircular back

and a nearly flat FB on a narrow neck,

you might get cramps in your hand.

 

 

 

 

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Measure it and let us know!

 

Use a string (as described in the link above) and draw some curves using different lengths. cut them out, and see if the outside matches your fretboard.

 

I'd guess 12" or 14" - maybe even compound like the EB-3

What do you mean by "compound"?

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What do you mean by "compound"?

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It changes as you move up the neck.

 

There's a curve copier, or "curve copper", that

consists of a bunch of thin plastic strips captive

in a clamping device. You push it up to a shape

with the clamps loosened, then snap the locking

clamp and you've copped the shape, whether of

some fancy millwork or just a simple curve.

 

http://www.csnoffice.com/asp/show_detail.asp?sku=RBT1356

 

You can use this tool to cop curves offa some

round objects in your kitchen, CD collection,

etc. When the curve matches, your FB, you just

measure the radius of the original object and

you know your radius. Now you REALLY have

the definition and description of "FB radius"

as well. It's just a radius like any other !

 

 

 

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