Neck radius?

[fuzzyratfarts]

Im about to order a neck, and I dont know what neck radius size to get...The neck on my USA strat (not replacing its neck) is 9.5", and I LOVE the feel of this neck...The possible radii available for this custom neck is 10"-16"...Obviously, 10" will be closest, but how will it differ from my #1 neck?

[FretFire]

Where are you ordering from?

[octavedoctor]

The tighter the radius, the more air you will need under the strings to allow you to bend without choking, particularly on the high notes. When you bend a string it sounds across the board's camber which effectively cancels out any arc relief at that point so the string "sees" a hump in front of the fret at which its stopped.

Compound radius boards were developed for people who like a tight radiused fingerboard for rhythm work but a lower action for lead.

Over a board of 2" width you are really not going to be able to tell the difference between a 9.5" and 10" radius. Try drawing the two on paper and see how much difference there is...

[zionstrat]

Yeah practically no difference in 9.5 to 10-
There was another thread here or on project guitar where I was amazed to find such diverse likes and dislikes-
I prefer the flater radius, but there were folks out there that even like 7.5!

So the moral is to make sure you get close to specs that already feel good to you and if you really like 9.5 than 10 should feel about the same (all other specs the same)

[ErikH]

If you're looking at Warmoth, their compound radius is incredible. I have one and it's so comfortable to play. I almost want to get another one to put on my Fender, and it too has a 9.5" radius.

[fuzzyratfarts]

Thanks for the replies fellas...Im looking at Warmoth and USA Custom necks, but I am definitely leaning more towards Warmoth because the prices are better, and I am not super super picky about necks...I am just EXTREMELY picky that it has a satin finish. The neck I want is $157 at Warmoth...Maple on maple, Warmoth pro with 10" radius..What d'yall think?

[fuzzyratfarts]

pm sent FretFire

[CharlieNC]

Thanks for the replies fellas...Im looking at Warmoth and USA Custom necks, but I am definitely leaning more towards Warmoth because the prices are better, and I am not super super picky about necks...I am just EXTREMELY picky that it has a satin finish. The neck I want is $157 at Warmoth...Maple on maple, Warmoth pro with 10" radius..What d'yall think?

just something you might not know, either that or i'm misreading your post:

when warmoth shows the neck radius of 10-16" that means that the radius is compound moving from 10" at the first frets and gradually chaning to 16" inches in the higher registers. it costs more to get a straight radius of only 10" from Warmoth.

[Jeff_H]

The compound 10-16" radius from Warmoth is truely an incredible neck to play. Feels wonderful for fretting chords, and you get the added advantage of a 16" neck on the upper frets, which I think makes playing up there easier.

I think more manufactures should offer this option.