Author Topic: Compound Radius Fretboards (Read 4531 times)

Simon D · « **on:** February 13, 2007, 10:55:24 AM »

Does anyone have any experience of playing a neck with a compound radius fretboard?

I'm wondering specifically about the Warmoth version, as I'm shortly going to be ordering the bits for a Warmoth guitar, and I'm still in two minds as to whether the compound radius thing is for me.

The main problem is the lack of ability to try one, as nowhere within decent travelling distance has a guitar with one I can play.

The boards I currently play go between a 9.5" Fender and a 13.5" Yamaha.

Any and all comments and viewpoints happily recieved. Cheers. :)

maliciousteve · « **Reply #1 on:** February 13, 2007, 12:38:54 PM »

I think most Jackson guitars come with a compound radius fretboard, look around your local dealers and see if they have any Jacksons in to get an idea of what it's like.

jordan · « **Reply #2 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:07:54 PM »

I've just fitted a warmoth compound radius neck to my strat which has vintage stagger Apaches. I was a bit nervous cos there's alot of hype around vintage stagger not working with compound necks, but I can assure you it's all marketing BS. I emailed Tim a while back and he assured me it would be fine, and it is. There's no problem there at all.

The neck is an absolute beauty. It plays great, came perfectly well setup, and I'm really pleased with it. As for the compound, despite being 10-16" you can't actually tell its there. However it does allow you to get a really good setup on your guitar.

More details on my neck can be found here: http://creationoffrank.blogspot.com

Hope some of that helps - feel free to PM me or ask more questions here and I'll be happy to help.

Cheers
Jordan.

FELINEGUITARS · « **Reply #3 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:09:15 PM »

Jacksons , Charvels etc
and also I think Ibanez too

There's nothing not to like - feels easy right up the neck

Antag · « **Reply #4 on:** February 13, 2007, 01:15:26 PM »

Warmoth's compoud radius is 10"-16", Jackson use 12"-16".

I have 3 Warmoths. IMO the difference over other guitars is very subtle - they don't feel radically different, just very comfortable. You have to look very closely to even be able to see the changing radius with the naked eye.

& FWIW, I highly recommend the Wolfgang & 59 Roundback neck profiles :)

dave_mc · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:07:41 PM »

Quote from: maliciousteve

I think most Jackson guitars come with a compound radius fretboard, look around your local dealers and see if they have any Jacksons in to get an idea of what it's like.

+1, those are the easiest ones to try. though, the japanese ones only go from 14-16", so that's not a major difference...

EDIT: some gordon smiths might have it too.

as feline says, there's nothing really not to like... but you need to decide if it's worth the extra cash.

Simon D · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2007, 05:59:59 PM »

Cheers for all the replies guys.

I've read elsewhere that the change on the Warmoth necks is quite noticeable - goes from 10" to 16" within the space of a few frets - between the 7th and 10th according to some sources. Just wondering if that's the experience of any of you who play them?

As far as extra cash goes Dave, Warmoth actually charge more for a straight radius neck than they do for a compound. :?

dave_mc · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2007, 06:18:24 PM »

^ interesting.

:drink:

Bainzy · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2007, 08:48:24 PM »

Quote from: Simon D

Cheers for all the replies guys.

I've read elsewhere that the change on the Warmoth necks is quite noticeable - goes from 10" to 16" within the space of a few frets - between the 7th and 10th according to some sources. Just wondering if that's the experience of any of you who play them?

As far as extra cash goes Dave, Warmoth actually charge more for a straight radius neck than they do for a compound. :?

No - when playing my Warmoth neck I always forget it's a compound radius fretboard, it just feels completely natural.

MDV · « **Reply #9 on:** February 14, 2007, 01:45:51 AM »

The only one I have to go on is my 14.5/16 (or something like that) Jackson: it isnt perceptible and I really do wonder why they bother.

shaman · « **Reply #10 on:** February 14, 2007, 03:37:27 AM »

have a Jackson Phil Collen-reminds me of the particlar strat style neck (C??) that is sweet for chords -until you get to higher register-really shines with lead play ing high on neck-best of both worlds-I NEVER tune to standard, but I makee an exception here-the comp radius really feels like it is tuned half step low..it has big ass frets,too...barre chords are effortless!!!highly recommended

nfe · « **Reply #11 on:** February 14, 2007, 01:08:09 PM »

Both my parkers have 10-16 compound radius necks. I think they make a world of difference. I really notice how much more my fretting hand works when playing straight radius necks.

Simon D · « **Reply #12 on:** February 14, 2007, 05:23:55 PM »

Thanks guys. Cheers to maliciousteve for pointing out the Jackson thing.
Managed to get me hands on a Jackson with a compound radius today, very comfy, but not immediately noticeable until I went from riffing low to trying a two step bend around the 15th, which would be in danger of choking out on a 10" radius. Nailed it no problem.

Whatever Warmoth style I end up going for, it will certainly have a compound board! :guitar4: