ShortScale.org

I am setting up a purchase from a local luthier I work with on a lot of projects. I am having a run of necks made, maple, big headstock, 24" scale, zero fret, gibson style nut. Last issue I am facing is what radius do I have them made in? My knee jerk is 7.25 but I know there is a ton of 9.5 and 12 fans out there. Any thoughts?

i much prefer 12" at the moment to get a nice low action. also, almost ALL shortscale necks are going to be 7.25" or 9.5" so some variation might be attractive to some people, like myself in fact! i think most people on SS like 7.25" though

are you looking to sell them? if so, would they be gloss, and what profile and nut width are you thinking?

Yeah, my job took an unfortunate turn and I took an early retirement bail out. I am going to be selling them. I can either have them glossed or unfinished. I prefer 12" radius myself too. Hmmmmm.

From what I gather, 7.25" seems to be an acquired taste. But it's not terribly common, and it's hard to come by at a reasonable price, so that may give you an advantage if you have a big pile of necks to sell. Personally, I prefer a 9.5" over a 12", but I play both.

I play all neck radius and get on with it.

If I had a gun to my head I would probably say 9.5 is my favourite.

If I was selling I guess 9.5 would probably be the best investment

I like 12" on gibson/shecter wide style d profile necks with big frets. very comfortable and natural for me. for a more narrower fretboard, I like a chunky neck and 9.5" medium fret is fine. I love the jagmaster conversion neck for this reason. fits my hand perfectly. 7.5" and chunky is fine with me too, but I choke out on bends a lot.

i voted 7.25 just because it seems kinda rare these days

Zero fret nice... all guitars should have this. Only thing I'd change about my telecasters.

I'm dying to try a 7.23 to 9.5 compound radius. I love 7.25 for comfort but like a low action and bends too. a 7.25 - 12 would be an interesting experiment

dezb1 wrote:Zero fret nice... all guitars should have this. Only thing I'd change about my telecasters.

Yeah, I just don't get why they are not more prevalent.

I like them too. But maybe best if made with fret material a little harder to keep from groves getting worn in them. Maybe that is why, easier to nock out a nut then pull a worn zero fret? I don't know just spit balling.

cur wrote:I like 12" on gibson/shecter wide style d profile necks with big frets. very comfortable and natural for me. for a more narrower fretboard, I like a chunky neck and 9.5" medium fret is fine. I love the jagmaster conversion neck for this reason. fits my hand perfectly. 7.5" and chunky is fine with me too, but I choke out on bends a lot.

Yes on the flat radius and profile with big frets and wide nut. I think that's my jam at the moment

That's my jam too. The Vista MM has a really nice spacing. I have been rocking a pank one I nabbed from Blane.