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.

 

[HomespunEffects]

A local guy (walking distance) has an Indonesian Jackson soloist SL4X listed on CL. I believe that has a compound radius. I’m kinda not really interested in Indonesian guitars but it would be a cheap introduction. Hmmm. I wonder if he’s going for any trades.

 

[Eagle]

A local guy (walking distance) has an Indonesian Jackson soloist SL4X listed on CL. I believe that has a compound radius. I’m kinda not really interested in Indonesian guitars but it would be a cheap introduction. Hmmm. I wonder if he’s going for any trades.

Once you get past 14” straight you hardly notice in practice unless you like the lowest possible action and play the full dynamic range to the point of slapback on the next fret.

 

[Tito83]

There is nothing ergonomic to say that a curved board is better than a totally flat one but familiarity and marketing starting with Fender.

If you had said that to me before I got an Squier SQ I would probably agree. Coming from a Rock/Shred background I always played flatter fretboards. My first reaction with the Squier was how comfortable it was, just in a different way. Not really for the fast stuff, stretchier chords were a bit awkward, but for bar chords, thumb over, or was really comfy.

I think we tend to think about ergonomics only when playing fast, but there's something to be said about playing just in a different style. Playing SRV stuff is a different technique vs playing Polyphia, both highly technical, but having different requirements as far as ergonomics go.

I have no idea why this happens, on paper a flat board should be better for everything, but IME is just not how it works.

As controversial as this is, not at all as controversial as saying I like 6000 frets as much as 6230.

 

[Eagle]

If you had said that to me before I got an Squier SQ I would probably agree. Coming from a Rock/Shred background I always played flatter fretboards. My first reaction with the Squier was how comfortable it was, just in a different way. Not really for the fast stuff, stretchier chords were a bit awkward, but for bar chords, thumb over, or was really comfy.

I think we tend to think about ergonomics only when playing fast, but there's something to be said about playing just in a different style. Playing SRV stuff is a different technique vs playing Polyphia, both highly technical, but having different requirements as far as ergonomics go.

I have no idea why this happens, on paper a flat board should be better for everything, but IME is just not how it works.

As controversial as this is, not at all as controversial as saying I like 6000 frets as much as 6230.

There is less than 1mm difference in finger placement between 7.25” and dead flat. I’m not seeing it considering the huge performance degradation with small frets and the radius.
I always think it’s more about familiarity for most people.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I’ve read that the human finger can detect imperfections as small as 13 nanometers. I’m not saying this is the same thing but I’m also not going to discount a 1mm difference.

 

[Eagle]

I’ve read that the human finger can detect imperfections as small as 13 nanometers. I’m not saying this is the same thing but I’m also not going to discount a 1mm difference.

You can easily feel it but 1mm in the middle of a movement makes no difference to the ergonomics of this.

 

[Warmart]

Like damn near every sort of "feature" on a guitar, it all comes down to you - not anyone else.

For me, and the few I've gone through, I think it's a small benefit, but a benefit nonetheless. YMMV, but you should give it a whirl!