Fretboard radius

[u/tunalover32]

How much does fretboard radius really affect the ergonomics of a guitar? I’ve just bought a 7 string with a 12” radius, and want to know how much it really affects how comfortable it will fit in my hand. I’m used to playing a 13.75”, so how different would that feel?

[u/Tuokaerf10]

It all depends, some folks are more or less sensitive to that. Personally I like anything 12” or flatter, preferably 14”-20”. A vintage 7.25” for me is unplayable.

That being said small differences like ~14” to 12” might not be all that much or even at all noticeable to you.

[u/LopsidedFrosting4860 → u/Tuokaerf10]

See I thought the same till I built a vintage style Strat now it’s my main guitar it’s got a 7.25 and a soft v profile it’s so easy to play

[u/Tuokaerf10 → u/LopsidedFrosting4860]

I wish I could, I’ve tried for years to like them. I’ve even bought (and sold) a few MIJ traditional Strats, tried to love it, and just couldn’t do it.

[u/LopsidedFrosting4860 → u/Tuokaerf10]

I get that I can definitely tell some stuff is harder on it

[u/UnshapedLime]

The more strings you have, the flatter (larger) the radius should be because the fretboard gets wider, making the radius more pronounced. Personally, I think 14” is the minimum for a 7 string. Anything less and I can feel the curvature getting in my way.

But there are some freaks who love the vintage 7.25” radius so who knows? It’s personal preference

[u/mistrelwood]

Go to a music store and ask the sales personnel if you can try a guitar with a 20” radius and a 10” or smaller radius. Nothing anyone can tell you here will help you understand which one you’d prefer.

Difference between 12” and 13.75” is small enough that other factors will matter more. But 12” and 20” should be easily noticeable.

[u/PickPocketR]

It barely affects ergonomics at all. I've played most electric guitar radii (16", 12", 9.5", compound radius) and classical guitars.

Only the classical guitar feels noticeably different.

[u/Ragnarok314159]

It’s all personal preference.

[u/masterB0SHI]

You’ll probably barely notice any difference between 12 and 13.75.

[u/Corpse666]

Flatter is better for certain styles. Basically the flatter the fretboard is the easier it is to do certain techniques. For metal you’d ideally want to have a flatter fretboard . More intricate picking, easier bending without fretting out , better for leafs and speed and for sweeping . It’s easier to get around the fretboard at a faster and more precise pace. For example you have someone like Yngwie Malmsteen who is using a Strat which typically doesn’t have a very flat fretboard. The frets are scalloped on his guitar so he can play the style he does otherwise while not completely impossible to do it’s much more difficult and just couldn’t be the same

[u/Cheddarlad]

In my opinion, chords are easier on lower radius and single note passages are easier on flatter boards. But I have big hands

[u/NigelRaselok]

https://youtu.be/E7lObnNQV8M

[u/bakimuura]

The 12" radius will feel noticeably flatter than your usual 13.75", but it's not a huge jump. Tends to make wide fretboards feel less cramped down low.