Fretboard Radius

Fibus · Post by **Fibus** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 3:47 pm

I am not really sure where to put this but since it in relation to a strat i am thinking of buying i thought i would put it here.
Is there a huge difference between a 7.25" and a 9.5" fretboard radius?
I have been told that 7.25" is rounder and therefore the action is higher which i am not too crazy about but i have only ever played 9.5" fretboards on my electrics.
I tried out a CP 60s strat and i liked it but the neck, while smooth as butter, just didn't feel right and i think this is down to the fact the fretboard is 12" radius.

So does it make a huge difference?
I am not usually one to buy online since i believe in try before you buy but the specs on this strat are exactly what i would be looking for otherwise.

By the way this is the strat i was looking at
LANK

vivadeluxxe · Post by **vivadeluxxe** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:04 pm

I've got a Tele and a Strat, both with a 7.25" radius, the Tele has super-low action where as the Strat action won't go as low without getting fret buzz... so I'm not sure you can judge just from the radius...

Fibus · Post by **Fibus** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 4:30 pm

I am not really looking for super low METAL!!!! action. I just don't want the strings to be a mile above the fretboard. Anything lower than an acoustic height is good with me.

paul_ · Post by **paul_** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:27 pm

The usual difference I feel isn't down entirely to radius, rather the vintage radius having vintage sized frets and flatter ones having medium jumbo/jumbo business going on for wide, easier bends... 9.5 may be worth checking out for you, you'll have more uniform string-to-string action.
I prefer 7.25 on a Fender everytime. I prefer the way they feel on a strat/tele/shortscale and, to a lesser extent, the way they look. Sexy curves.
It's quite possible to achieve a happy compromise as far as action goes on 7.25 IMO. None of my electrics have what I'd consider high action, certainly not as high as my acoustics.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:58 pm

I think that the difference is more in feel rather than action - I know that the action on my Jaguar, Strat and Jag-stang (all 7.25" radius) is no higher than that of my Les Paul (12" radius).
If you're doing massive bends then you may find the 7.25" frets out, and a higher radius would be less likely to do so.
To me the 7.25" feels better, more comfortable, but it's certainly not the only factor.

Thom · Post by **Thom** » Fri Jun 19, 2009 7:59 pm

By the way - that strat looks hot, you should totally buy it.

More Cowbell · Post by **More Cowbell** » Sat Jun 20, 2009 12:07 am

Depends on the bridge if the action will be high or not. If you put a flatter style bridge such as a T.O.M. on a 7.25 radius neck it will have high action where as if you had a strat/jag style adjustable bridge where each saddle is adjustable by height then you can adjust each strings height to match the radius of the fretboard make it like a rainbow. They sell bridge set up guages at guitar repair shops that will set the radius to match the fretboard on the bridge. You can also google image search the 7.25 radius guage and perhaps print one to scale and use it and save some $$$.