Does compound radius actually offer anything?

[OrganicZed]

I have guitars with compound radius and guitars without. From my experience it makes little difference to the playability of a guitar and it would not sway me one way or another.

 

[spawnofthesith]

I love compound radius

 

[gonzoknife]

I find other factors more important than compound radius. String spacing, nut width, neck shape, heel, etc.... As part of the recipe compound can be nice but by itself I can take it or leave it.

 

[Jynx]

Compound radius is great. The guitars I have that have it just feel better.

End of.

 

[la szum]

Personal preference is far from objective truth. Differences are sometimes just differences,
and there is not a need for a fight to the death for eternal supremacy.

I like all the radii. Different feel for different vibes and approaches.

 

[metropolis_4]

Fretboard radius is something I’m mostly oblivious to. I’ll notice when I first pick a guitar up if it’s at one extreme or the other, but after a few seconds I’ve adapted and forgotten all about it.

My Strat is 9.5”, LP is 12”, TheaterCaster is 10-16” compound. I don’t even notice the different when switching between them

 

[maguchi]

I tried it on a couple of Kiesels I got. It felt fine, but not sure I felt much of a diffrence between that and my 9 1/2", 10" and 12" radius guitars. But then again I don't play no Yngwie licks neither. Oh wait, that's scalloped fretboard not compound radius

 

[TSJMajesty]

The only thing that I can think of, that a smaller radius may make a noticeable difference with, is when you're playing a minor chord shape across the 3 top strings, but playing each note separately, thus needing to roll your finger across those notes. Ex: Em- 1/12, 2/12, 3/12

I'd love to try that on a small radius, because I have trouble keeping those notes separate. Actually, I'm lying. I can't do it.

Does the radius decrease as you go higher on the fretboard on a compound radius guitar, or is it the other way around?

 

[TSJMajesty]

Personal preference is far from objective truth. Differences are sometimes just differences,
and there is not a need for a fight to the death for eternal supremacy.

I like all the radii. Different feel for different vibes and approaches.

You remind me of something a late friend used to say: "I like all women. Some just more than others."

 

[norminal]

Does the radius decrease as you go higher on the fretboard on a compound radius guitar, or is it the other way around?

The radius increases the closer you get to the bridge.

 

[Eagle]

The only thing that I can think of, that a smaller radius may make a noticeable difference with, is when you're playing a minor chord shape across the 3 top strings, but playing each note separately, thus needing to roll your finger across those notes. Ex: Em- 1/12, 2/12, 3/12

I'd love to try that on a small radius, because I have trouble keeping those notes separate. Actually, I'm lying. I can't do it.

Does the radius decrease as you go higher on the fretboard on a compound radius guitar, or is it the other way around?

Flatter as you go up and in a perfect world the cone of the fingerboard should match exactly that of the strings. It’s often not something that you feel much but it helps with an even dynamic response.

 

[Frankencat]

I like the 10”-16” compound radius very much. I would be a 12”-20” would be great as well.