Better Fretboard Radii for Lead/Rhythm

bglaze · January 25th, 2008, 06:48 PM

I have been finding lately that some of my Tele's feel more comfortable for certain tasks than others. My '52AVRI with its 7.25" fretboard radius is so delicious for solo/lead playing. It is just so comfortable and smooth until I start playing a lot of rhythm stuff on it. The notes just don't pop as much while playing chords as they do my my guitars with flatter fretboards. The best Tele I have for rhythm, hands down, is one I have with a 10 - 12" compound radius. Chords sound so precise, and playing rhythm feels so comfortable. However, though playing lead stuff is still great, soloing doesn't feel quite as natural as it does on the rounder neck of my '52 AVRI.

Has anyone else ever felt this same difference before? Could it be something else? The type of pick-ups I have in each guitar? The fret width? Am I psycho?

beep.click · January 26th, 2008, 12:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bglaze

Am I psycho?

Yes.

bendecaster · January 26th, 2008, 01:10 AM

bglaze,
I think the radius of fretboards/better for lead/rhythm is subjective. I personally can't play a 7.25". If I bend a note, or do a double bend, it frets out. I do own a couple guitars with a 7.25", but I don't ever take them to gigs. I play them at home, usually learning chord progressions...So for my style and comfort, the 10"-12" compound radius, and usually a boatneck profile is perfect! Soundwise too! Is your guitar with the 10"-12" radius wider at the nut than your '52AVRI? Maybe that would explain the easier/cleaner chords.
No, your not psycho. Feeling comfortable makes it easier to play, and is very personal to each of us.
Good luck man, hope this helped.
Harry

Robert(og) · January 26th, 2008, 01:24 AM

i actually believe that a higher action than that of which is preferred by metal heads will produce a better tone and sustain.
i love the 7.25 radius but i level the frets a bit more in the center towards the heel to immitate a compound radius, the result is decent.
i think that the radius does not really have the much to do with lead/rythm, so much as the wood. and pickups do.

Axis29 · January 26th, 2008, 05:28 AM

I'm a big fan of 9.5" radius boards. I guess it's that crossover between vintage and modern?

Funny thing is you say 7.25 is harder for you to chord and the flatter radius is harder to do leads on... all the metal heads and neck manufacturers would have you believe otherwise.

Most compound radius necks go flatter as you get higher... maybe you need a really custom one that's flatter at the neck and curves more as it gets higher up?

Telemarkman · January 26th, 2008, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendecaster

If I bend a note, or do a double bend, it frets out.

This is not a radius problem - it's a setup problem.

I've never fretted out on any of my Teles, and all except one has had a 7.25" radius fretboard (and I bend a lot).

Quote:

Originally Posted by bendecaster

Feeling comfortable makes it easier to play, and is very personal to each of us.

Now that's one thing I can agree with

.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Axis29

Funny thing is you say 7.25 is harder for you to chord and the flatter radius is harder to do leads on...

Form a barre chord with your hand playing air guitar, and you will note that your index finger is curved. You have to use more power to straiten it, which indicates that a more curved fretboard would be the natural thing for chord playing, at least barre chords.

But as bendecaster said, what's comfortable is a personal thing...

dibber124 · January 26th, 2008, 07:01 AM

I have a '52 RI that I just cannot get into. The 7.25 feel is great up until the 5th fret but then I lose it for lead playing. The vintage frets add to the problem. My Squiers with 9.5 play like a dream. I'm thinking about one of those Musikraft 7.25 to 9.5 compound jobs before I just sell the RI off. So my impression is just the opposite of bglaze. Guess it really is a matter of taste and the difference in one's hands

thaus · January 26th, 2008, 07:47 AM

I have guitars with all three radius' mentioned and I seem to prefer the more modern 9.25, I can comfortably play all types and find that my tone changes and thus makes each guitar a little more unique. I don't seem to have a more difficult time playing chords on a 12" than I do on a 7.25...........to each his own but I believe that much of your 'tone' is in the fingers and the differing radius necks cause your fingers to apply varying degrees of pressure which affects to the final tone.

lostpick · January 26th, 2008, 08:06 AM

Fender got it right when they went with the 9.5 radius...
you get some of the comfort of 7.25
and the flatter, no fret out feeling
of 12 in one neck

bglaze · January 26th, 2008, 10:43 AM

Wow, lots of great opinions! It is amazing the different preferences everyone has. I will say that I have never fretted out on my '52AVRI, and I have my neck shimmed and my action set very low, and I do bend a ton.

When I strum a chord on my 7.25" neck I feel as if I have to strum in a semi-circle, whereas when I strum on my flatter necks I can strum straight downward and upward and all the notes sound out clearly. This again may just be me being psychotic, but it just feels that way.

odiemann · January 26th, 2008, 10:51 AM

with a lot of this. 7.25 does need higher action, and it works well. But I do feel as though I am sweeping the strum. I can't really stand the 12" except above the 7th fret. So, the two guitars that get played the most have 9.5" and 10" radii. There is a warmoth compound neck that I like, too

Trimmed&Burnin · January 26th, 2008, 12:36 PM

I like a 12 in radius and 10-16. I have not been able to get accustomed to the 9.5 or 7.5 but some of that may be in the set up,,, 9.5 is really not that far from 12 when you look at the short distance from the high side to the low side of a fret board. I think alot has to do with how much time you spend with any particular radius and how well set up it is not mention the fret size. Small frets will not give you much bend on the tighter radius whereas you can increase the bend with taller fets,,, I like taller frets as well.

boris bubbanov · January 26th, 2008, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bglaze

Am I psycho?

According to conventional wisdom, yes.

May I suggest, the pickup setting on the 7.25 is lending itself to single notes, the flatter board guitar pickups making better chords?

Try and swap the necks out, see what happens.

We are all subject to suggestion, it is very hard to avoid.

Bubbanov

January 25th, 2008, 06:48 PM	#1 (permalink)
bglaze Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indiana Age: 24 Posts: 509	Better Fretboard Radii for Lead/Rhythm I have been finding lately that some of my Tele's feel more comfortable for certain tasks than others. My '52AVRI with its 7.25" fretboard radius is so delicious for solo/lead playing. It is just so comfortable and smooth until I start playing a lot of rhythm stuff on it. The notes just don't pop as much while playing chords as they do my my guitars with flatter fretboards. The best Tele I have for rhythm, hands down, is one I have with a 10 - 12" compound radius. Chords sound so precise, and playing rhythm feels so comfortable. However, though playing lead stuff is still great, soloing doesn't feel quite as natural as it does on the rounder neck of my '52 AVRI. Has anyone else ever felt this same difference before? Could it be something else? The type of pick-ups I have in each guitar? The fret width? Am I psycho?

January 26th, 2008, 01:10 AM	#3 (permalink)
bendecaster Tele-Holic Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: maine Posts: 803	bglaze, I think the radius of fretboards/better for lead/rhythm is subjective. I personally can't play a 7.25". If I bend a note, or do a double bend, it frets out. I do own a couple guitars with a 7.25", but I don't ever take them to gigs. I play them at home, usually learning chord progressions...So for my style and comfort, the 10"-12" compound radius, and usually a boatneck profile is perfect! Soundwise too! Is your guitar with the 10"-12" radius wider at the nut than your '52AVRI? Maybe that would explain the easier/cleaner chords. No, your not psycho. Feeling comfortable makes it easier to play, and is very personal to each of us. Good luck man, hope this helped. Harry __________________ The Demented 7th

January 26th, 2008, 05:28 AM	#5 (permalink)
Axis29 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Virginia, USA Age: 40 Posts: 1,046 1 Photos	I'm a big fan of 9.5" radius boards. I guess it's that crossover between vintage and modern? Funny thing is you say 7.25 is harder for you to chord and the flatter radius is harder to do leads on... all the metal heads and neck manufacturers would have you believe otherwise. Most compound radius necks go flatter as you get higher... maybe you need a really custom one that's flatter at the neck and curves more as it gets higher up? __________________ John F. TDPRI # 1764

January 26th, 2008, 07:01 AM	#7 (permalink)
dibber124 Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Long Island, New York Age: 53 Posts: 1,187	Just the opposite... I have a '52 RI that I just cannot get into. The 7.25 feel is great up until the 5th fret but then I lose it for lead playing. The vintage frets add to the problem. My Squiers with 9.5 play like a dream. I'm thinking about one of those Musikraft 7.25 to 9.5 compound jobs before I just sell the RI off. So my impression is just the opposite of bglaze. Guess it really is a matter of taste and the difference in one's hands __________________ "I feel that it is healthier to look out at the world through a window than through a mirror. Otherwise, all you see is yourself and whatever is behind you." - Bill Withers

January 26th, 2008, 08:06 AM	#9 (permalink)
lostpick Tele-Holic Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Staten Island, NYC Posts: 963	Fender got it right when they went with the 9.5 radius... you get some of the comfort of 7.25 and the flatter, no fret out feeling of 12 in one neck Last edited by lostpick : January 26th, 2008 at 09:17 AM.

January 26th, 2008, 01:24 AM	#4 (permalink)
Robert(og) Tele-Meister Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: crawfordsville In. Age: 22 Posts: 128	i actually believe that a higher action than that of which is preferred by metal heads will produce a better tone and sustain. i love the 7.25 radius but i level the frets a bit more in the center towards the heel to immitate a compound radius, the result is decent. i think that the radius does not really have the much to do with lead/rythm, so much as the wood. and pickups do.

January 26th, 2008, 07:47 AM	#8 (permalink)
thaus Tele-Meister Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 439	I have guitars with all three radius' mentioned and I seem to prefer the more modern 9.25, I can comfortably play all types and find that my tone changes and thus makes each guitar a little more unique. I don't seem to have a more difficult time playing chords on a 12" than I do on a 7.25...........to each his own but I believe that much of your 'tone' is in the fingers and the differing radius necks cause your fingers to apply varying degrees of pressure which affects to the final tone.

January 26th, 2008, 10:43 AM	#10 (permalink)
bglaze Tele-Holic Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Indiana Age: 24 Posts: 509	Wow, lots of great opinions! It is amazing the different preferences everyone has. I will say that I have never fretted out on my '52AVRI, and I have my neck shimmed and my action set very low, and I do bend a ton. When I strum a chord on my 7.25" neck I feel as if I have to strum in a semi-circle, whereas when I strum on my flatter necks I can strum straight downward and upward and all the notes sound out clearly. This again may just be me being psychotic, but it just feels that way.

January 26th, 2008, 10:51 AM	#11 (permalink)
odiemann Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Denver Age: 41 Posts: 1,406	I agree with a lot of this. 7.25 does need higher action, and it works well. But I do feel as though I am sweeping the strum. I can't really stand the 12" except above the 7th fret. So, the two guitars that get played the most have 9.5" and 10" radii. There is a warmoth compound neck that I like, too __________________ It just got better, I think

January 26th, 2008, 12:36 PM	#12 (permalink)
Trimmed&Burnin Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Bellingham Wa Age: 54 Posts: 807	I like a 12 in radius and 10-16. I have not been able to get accustomed to the 9.5 or 7.5 but some of that may be in the set up,,, 9.5 is really not that far from 12 when you look at the short distance from the high side to the low side of a fret board. I think alot has to do with how much time you spend with any particular radius and how well set up it is not mention the fret size. Small frets will not give you much bend on the tighter radius whereas you can increase the bend with taller fets,,, I like taller frets as well. __________________ Keep your lamp Trimmed And Burnin Shannon,