Fretboard Radius

[Crazy_Joe]

Was looking to buy an Fender Aerodyne strat, but then saw it had a 7 1/2" radius. Is this bad? I tried to research it and it looks like it's a very rounded style thing. How different is this to play than a flatter style? (I currently play my Ibanez RG a lot, and my ESP LTD EC-1000)

[Lazy_McDoesnothing]

It's not bad, it's more of a preference thing.  I think it's considered "vintage" radius and is one of the roundest radii used.  If your RG has the wizard neck, the fretboard radius is 430mm which is 16.929in.  I'm not sure of the ESP's radius but I'm guessing it's pretty flat too.

I believe a smaller radius is better for chording than it is lead work.  I know this is a cop out answer, but you're just going to have to try it out for yourself to see if you like it.

[Antag]

7¼" & 16+" radius are at opposite extremes of guitar radii, but the difference is one of feel - you are unlikely to be able to see much of a difference between them.

The 7¼ will feel much easier/comfortable to play chords on (especially barre chords), but harder to bend strings (ever wondered why players of really old strats have uncomfortably high actions & look like they're in pain trying to hold long sustaining bends?).

The difference is exacerbated by the "typical" choices of fretwire used on these necks - old fender necks often have 6230 wire (low & narrow, not dissimilar to an acoustic), whereas the Ibanez most likely has 6100 or even 6000 (skyscr@pers!).  In other words, the Ibanez will feel "fast" but the Fender may feel more comfortable...

7¼ necks are not unplayable by any means - in fact they're still very popular.  Just don't expect to shred on one like you're holding the Ibanez :)

[Antag]

Also, this is why I like the compound radius necks of Warmoth & Jackson so much.

Warmoths are 10"-16" (in other words, at the nut the radius is 10" & at the last fret it's 16" - the fretboard is slightly conical as the radius tapers out), Jacksons have 12"-16".

You get easier chording on the low frets & easy fast lead playing on the high frets.  It really is the best of both worlds.  I find Jackson necks much much more comfortable to play than Ibanez, even though there's not a huge difference in the thickness/shape of the neck & I suspect the easier chording on the low frets has a lot to do with it.

[Sifu Ben]

I can't get on with anything under 12 :( even the 10.5 on a PRS feels "not quite right"

[dave_mc]

you'll probably notice quite a difference- as has been said, you need to try it to see how you get on with it. :)

[gwEm]

just got a strat recently and was worried as you are about the 7.25" radius thing. in fact, its no disaster at all. bends are harder, but you can still do them ok!

i think the fret wire is an important difference too, compared to the radius, but i can't really put my finger on the differences there

[MDV]

I never got the low radius thing

It might make chords the tiniest bit more comfortable, and for that you have to worry about buzz and notes choking on bends far, far more. As such you have to set the action higher. They're a pain, and I'd avoid it. If you want a strat then I believe many have 10" radius (not too sure of that, but I think so) and you'll find it much better if youre used to the near-flat of metal guitars.