How would you describe the Neck Radius difference?

[maddnotez]

Guitar A is what I am used to, guitar B is what I am looking at.

I can guess the differences between the width and thickness, thats a no brainer but I am unfarmiliar with the Radius.

How would you describe the difference between:

A) 430mm Radius and B) 348mm Radius


Full Guitar specs comparison below:

Width at nut: A) 1.89 B) 1.875

Width at last fret: A) 2.55 B) 2.19

Thickness at 1st fret: A) 21.5mm B) 21.5mm

Thickness at 12th fret: A) 23mm B) 22mm

Radius: A) 430mm B) 348mm

 

[jsp]

It's the radius of curvature of the fretboard. Larger number means flatter board, smaller number means a more round board.

 

[maddnotez]

Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

A picture can sometimes explain it better than words

 

[university81]

It's the radius of curvature of the fretboard. Larger number means flatter board, smaller number means a more round board.

+1

it seems to some extent a smaller radius makes barre chords easier to play whilst a flatter radius is better for lower action and string bending

i've had one vintage radius guitar 7.25 inch radius, ( a roadworn strat) , to avoid bends fretting out , i had to raise action a fair bit

to give you some idea

7.25" inch radius: vintage spec fenders
9.5" inch radius : most modern fenders
10" inch radius: PRS / SE
12" inch radius : Gibson
13.5 inch radius : yamaha pacificas
16" inch radius : ibanez

this isn't a general rule as there are obviously fenders/gibsons/ibanez etc models which have varying radius, but should give you some idea if you're in a guitar shop and trying things out

 

[gbsmusic]

12 is the best to me!

 

[xzyryabx]

A picture can sometimes explain it better than words

That's excellent.
Are the numbers the radius or circumference?

 

[Anonymous]

A picture can sometimes explain it better than words

That's excellent.
Are the numbers the radius or circumference?

I guess if they call it radius, it must be circle radius

 

[maddnotez]

Awesome, thanks for that pic and the replies.

It got me digging and come to find out, after 19 years of playing I'm a complete noob.

I just learned the radius is actually the shape of the fretboard. This whole time I thought it was the shape of the neck lol.

more research to do now.

Edit: I use the original wizard and that's what I compare other necks to. Does anyone know how Ibanez labels the neck "shape"?

I can't find anything on it. I would guess it is a D shape or possibly a C shape but cannot confirm.

 

[Anonymous]

The Wizard is described as being elliptical/modern "flat oval"