dpm99 Posted January 15, 2009 Report Share Posted January 15, 2009 Can anyone give me an idea as to how flat a radius needs to be to keep from fretting out? I'm looking at getting a 9-11" compound radius board. To me, it makes no sense at all to make a compound radius board where you'll still fret out on the upper frets, so that leads me to believe it's been tested and works. However, that sure doesn't seem very flat to me. What do you guys think? Thanks for your help, -Dave Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Daniel Sorbera Posted January 20, 2009 Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 I've found that once you hit around 14"-16" radius fretting out is really a none issue. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted January 20, 2009 Author Report Share Posted January 20, 2009 Daniel, thanks. So you think you can run into problems even on a 12" radius? I thought you were pretty safe on those. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metalhead28 Posted February 13, 2009 Report Share Posted February 13, 2009 I think with really low action, you might run into that on a 12", but they seem to be pretty safe too I'd say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted February 14, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 14, 2009 That seems sensible to me. I'm going with 16" on my current build anyway. It does make my hand tired a little easier, but it's probably worth it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SJE-Guitars Posted February 19, 2009 Report Share Posted February 19, 2009 (edited) Lets put it this way I was playing on my 12" radiused guitar the other day with my tuner next to the amp I played around with a few bends getting them stay in pitch/tune (i.e. exact 1/2 step, 1 step etc) and I end up bending 2 1/2 steps on the G, B and E strings - with no fretting out. Although my finger tips didn't thank me afterwards! So as a far as I'm concerned anything 12" and over there ain't no issues. Edited February 19, 2009 by SJE-Guitars Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dpm99 Posted February 21, 2009 Author Report Share Posted February 21, 2009 That's what I needed to hear. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
postal Posted February 26, 2009 Report Share Posted February 26, 2009 I think you can get away with a smaller radius if the fretboard is prepped correctly. You need to "ramp" the upper frets. During leveling, sand the upper frets- say from about 17+ bring em down more than the rest. Level the frets as normal, then scrub 17+ a lot more, applying the most pressure to the last fret. This keeps them from fretting out during bends, but is still plenty level enough for normal playing as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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