Does radius affect action?

[plymman]

Just a quickie, does fretboard radius affect how low the action can be set? I've a 9" radius very flat board with low action and can't get the action as low on a curvy 7.5" board. Is that to be expected or am I just not trying hard enough? The 7.5" is perfectly playable and not overly high as it is.

 

[notdave]

Yes

Although, unless my Stewmac radius gauges are telling porkies, a 9" radius isn't 'very flat'

 

[plymman]

Yes

Although, unless my Stewmac radius gauges are telling porkies, a 9" radius isn't 'very flat'

It doesn't sound like it should be very flat but on the thin neck of my CVC it feels like a much larger radius.

 

[cwzcwz]

I have the same question!

I just put together my first Tele using a MM neck with a 9.5" radius. I can't seem to get the action low enough and the strings are set to spec. If I set the saddles even a little lower I get too much buzzing.

My go to guitar for the last 12 years is a tele-ish Carvin H2T which has a beefy neck with a 20" radius. I don't have action problems with the Carvin so I'm guessing the neck radius has a lot to do with it.

 

[G McBride]

If everything is proper the radius should not stop you from a nice low action. Try harder or take it to a pro.

 

[czook]

Is your nut cut correctly for the radius?

 

[chipbutty24]

If everything is proper the radius should not stop you from a nice low action. Try harder or take it to a pro.

+1

Could be anything from saddle height to nut to truss rod. The radius itself isn't your issue. You may even need to shim the neck.

 

[Telemarkman]

If everything is proper the radius should not stop you from a nice low action. Try harder or take it to a pro.

On a totally flat fretboard you won't fret out no matter how much you bend the strings. On a small radius fretboard (7.25") you definitely will fret out on big bends if the action is too low ... It's the law of physics. That is of course if you bend by pushing the string towards the middle of the fretboard (where the frets are higher compared to that individual strings saddle - not if you bend by pulling it towards the edge.

So yes!, radius will affect action, but only if you compare a rather flat radius with a very curved one.

 

[cwzcwz]

On a totally flat fretboard you won't fret out no matter how much you bend the strings...
So yes!, radius will affect action, but only if you compare a rather flat radius with a very curved one.

That's what I was thinking too. Maybe I don't have a problem, the measurements all seem correct. I do need to check the nut but I think it's probably OK. It may be that a 20" radius feels very different than a 9.5" radius to me. It's not only the bends that feel weird, just playing chords seems awkward also.

OK, enough about me, I'll let the OP have the thread back

 

[Ricky D.]

Aside from bending/fret-out issues, radius just doesn't affect action height at all. Standard set-up issues are the focus. Nut slots, fret level, relief. Get those right, and any guitar can have action as low as the best you've ever played. Most necks will benefit from a level & crown job even if they're brand new. Some would say especially if they're brand new.

 

[plymman]

I'll get it a pro setup then at some point. Like I said it's perfectly playable as it is but I'd like to get the best out if it. It's a MIM classic 50's esquire I picked up 2nd hand and I can see it becoming my beloved 'go to' guitar. Its a beautiful guitar and we're bonding very nicely so far!

I'm going to fit a Toneshaper control panel, either a Nocaster or SD broadcaster pickup and some brass saddles. Once I've done that, the setup comes next. Even after all that It will still come out cheaper than buying new and should be just about perfect. I just didn't want to throw money away on a setup if it was already as good as it gets so thanks for the advice folks.

 

[notdave]

On a totally flat fretboard you won't fret out no matter how much you bend the strings. On a small radius fretboard (7.25") you definitely will fret out on big bends if the action is too low ... It's the law of physics. That is of course if you bend by pushing the string towards the middle of the fretboard (where the frets are higher compared to that individual strings saddle - not if you bend by pulling it towards the edge.

So yes!, radius will affect action, but only if you compare a rather flat radius with a very curved one.

That was my point, above. If the action's too low, it'll fret out. That's the limiting factor on a low radius board.

 

[Telemarkman]

Aside from bending/fret-out issues, radius just doesn't affect action height at all.

As a "big bender", I have to take this aspect into consideration, so I don't use a real low action.