RADIUS??? COMPUND or NOT?

[losbastardos]

I'm still getting the final touches on my partscaster...taking over a year, but patience is a good thing since I used to be an amp whore. I was looking at the idea of the compound 10-16, versus a flat 10, 12, 14 etc. I heard that they are hard to get the frets dialed in. I bend a lot and like low action...small to med jumbo frets. I'm gonna use Warmoth or USACG, but leaning on USACG.

[WisconsinStrings]

Welcome!

My partscaster has a Warmoth neck with a compound radius neck. I love it. In fact, I just received my second one in the mail last week.

[Telenator]

I'm a straight radius guy. I have had a couple compound radius necks and just didn't care for them. I like the feel of a straight radius better.

[Rich Rice]

I don't really have a preference, as I tend to run higher action anyhow. The closer your action gets, the more benefit you will get from a compound radius. As the radius gets flatter, there is more string clearance- thus less chance of fretting out on bends up high. What I've come to like is higher action anyway, as the strings are easier (for me) to grab when they are farther from the frets. Radius really doesn't affect me nearly as much as scale length, fret size, and nut width. Since everybody has a different touch, you will have to try it and decide for yourself. Personally, I think it's a great idea. Many of my clients love the compound radius.

[woodman]

my all-time fave is the USACG 7.25-9.5 radius. vintage feel up top, flattens out just enough on the higher notes. i've use two Warmoth 10-16 necks and they were just fine, though a lot flatter all the way up and down.

[losbastardos]

I'm used to 10.5 all the up to a 16. I like it in the middle somewhere. I have changed my playing a bit and pref. used to have higher action and thought I liked huge frets...I played whatever I had in front of me.
I guess the main thing is if compound radius is harder to work on fret wise.

[losbastardos]

Sorry if I wasn't clear on this before, but is a compound radius too hard to work.....fret dress and such

[Rich Rice]

Originally Posted by losbastardos

Sorry if I wasn't clear on this before, but is a compound radius too hard to work.....fret dress and such

No. They are just frets.

[losbastardos]

cool...guess I just need to narrow it down between compound, or straight radius. Thats just personal pref.
I will get some pics going when i get it comleted sometime between june and august. Thanx for all the great info guys. I discovered and got Don Mares thanx to this site. I'm excited...thanx again.