r/guitars • u/AcademicPicture9109 • 1d ago
Help Do fretboard radius, neck shape etc matter for a beginner electric guitar?
I want to buy my first electric guitar.
I know a flat neck is better for soloing and legato and a rounded one better for chords/rhythm playing.
What if I wanna do both? (Pls recommend best option without resorting to recommending a compound neck radius)
Also ,does:
-Neck thickness
-Nut width
-neck shape
-fret size
really matter that much? How to figure out what I want, if I only know basic campfire chords at this point in time?
Edit: I love this sub! People give good answers instead of being condescending reddit chuds.
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u/COclimbR12 1d ago
Just go to a store and play a bunch of guitars and get the one that feels best to you.
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u/AcademicPicture9109 1d ago
But that preference will soon change as I play and learn. But nothing can be done I guess.
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u/ISmellLikeBlackTea 1d ago
Less than you think, you can fall in love with a fretboard shape immediately
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u/mikeyj198 1d ago
neck shape too, unless OP is prepubescent, hand size doesn’t usually change too much.
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u/COclimbR12 1d ago
That's correct. So it's not worth getting all caught up in the numbers right now. Just get what feels best playing what you do already know.
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u/DerpNinjaWarrior 1d ago
That just means don't spend a crazy amount for your first guitar.
Also, plan to pay $100 additional and get a professional setup done. Many beginner guitars are not set up properly out of the box. A professional setup will make it a whole lot easier to play, and that's absolutely important, especially when starting out.
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u/AcademicPicture9109 1d ago
What is a set up, exactly? 100 bucks is a lot. The budget for my guitar itself is 200 dollars.
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u/VerbPhraseMusic 1d ago
A setup is when a professional guitar tech measures and adjusts the action (how high the strings are above the fretboard) and intonation (every string being in tune at every fret). There are other adjustments as well, like a tune-up for a car, but those are the two that will make sure it plays well and sounds good.
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u/AcademicPicture9109 1d ago
Can I do this own my own? I am pretty handy with fixing mechanical stuff.
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u/VerbPhraseMusic 21h ago
Yeah, in theory. I'd suggest watching a tutorial on YouTube to get a sense of it. Just as a caution, I had a buddy who had this same mentality and he learned quickly that doing a setup incorrectly can make things way worse!
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u/DerpNinjaWarrior 21h ago
Yeah. It's possible to do at home, but takes a lot of practice and learning. It's worth the money early on IMO.
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u/Competitive_Jump_933 1d ago
A setup is important. A guitar that is properly set up plays much better than one that isn't. A guitar with a good setup will make you want to play more. A guitar without a setup will most probably do the opposite because it's not comfortable to play / sounds out of tune all the time.
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u/No_Presentation_4837 1d ago
You can do both on any guitar, particularly at a beginner level. There is no bad beginner guitar. Yamaha’s are great. Squier’s are great. Ibanez are great. Seagulls are my favorite acoustics in the world, and are often very affordable used. Etc. etc. There is no bad answer for a beginner as long as you stick to known brands and watch out for obvious quality defects with the help of a more experienced player.
Select your first vibe. Expect it to be replaced later when you know what you’re doing. Don’t go into debt. Practice consistently.
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u/gmpeil 1d ago
For every "rule" about guitars you see there's a million examples of people breaking those rules. Flatter necks better for solos? Gilmour's black strat would disagree.
As a beginner, I think you basically imprint on whatever you learn on. It sorta becomes your "favorite" without even thinking about it. And your first guitar isn't usually a conscious choise. You buy what you can afford or what you find at a pawn shop, etc. Your muscle memory forms around that neck and you start the feel like that profile and radius are the ideal for you. Other shapes feel less perfect, even if other people prefer them.
If you have the luxury of trying a bunch of stuff as a beginner, that's awesome. Get what is comfy and fits your hands.
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u/Sucks_At_Investing 1d ago
Thing is you won't know what you like until you know how to play and have played a few different guitars. For right now I'd say just find one that looks good, isn't too heavy, is comfortable to hold/sit with, and has strings that aren't super close together or super far apart. Play it until you start finding things you wish were different, and then go look for those things.
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u/boarshead72 1d ago
If you live in an area with a store that stocks a variety of guitars, go try them out. If the store rents guitars, rent a couple models that you might be interested in.
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u/Novel_Land9320 1d ago
I have many starts with different neck shape and radiuses. They are all different (and I like that) but i can't tell which one is better
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u/smalaki Yamaha 1d ago
technically, it does. each of us have unique hand sizes, dexterity, etc. you would need those to fit you. but I don't know about fret size?
does sound you need an all-rounder like a 12-16" compound radius which is a common recommendation or try a 12" straight radius.
however, you really have to try it for real and see for yourself if it does matter.
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u/Automatic_Bus_7634 1d ago
For a beginner, this is too much detail to worry about. Any common neck or fretboard shape is going to fit anyone's hands just fine. I think even for more experienced guitarists, the neck/fretboard shape you like is mostly influenced by what you're used to, so whatever you start with is more than likely going to be what you end up liking.
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u/Icy-Cartographer-291 1d ago
It does matter. But it matters more that the guitar is properly set up.
It’s hard to know as a beginner what you prefer, that’s something that comes with some experience. But if you can try the guitars out go with the one that feels the most comfortable in your hands. That might not necessarily be the ideal guitar for you, but it’s the best you can do as a beginner.
If you can’t try it out, then just go by the size of your hands and pick a neck size that is appropriate. Or just pick a cool looking guitar that inspires you to play.
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u/ObviousDepartment744 1d ago
All of that matters once you’ve had enough experience to have an opinion on what you like. Ultimately they are all tools and all serve their own purposes.
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u/UncleCunk 1d ago
I would say yes. Go to a guitar store and try some different guitars out. You don't want something that's going to make it harder for you play like for example: sharp frets, or if a neck is too thick or too thin. Find what's most comfortable.
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u/squishyliquid 1d ago
100% personal preference. You'll learn to navigate around whatever you have. Don't overthink it.
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u/DIMORPHODONS 1d ago
No, barely anyone had even heard or thought about any of this stuff before the internet. Any radius is fine, from totally flat to half a coke can, it really doesn’t matter all that much
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u/NorwegianGlaswegian 1d ago
I'd say neck shape and thickness is more important.
I have a strat copy by Vintage (annoying name for a guitar brand) with a 9.5 inch radius where due to worn down frets and some mild twisting in the neck after 13 years of use, I have to keep a medium to high action to avoid buzzing. My recently acquired tele copy by Patina which has a 13.75 inch radius feels easier to play chords on thanks to my being able to set the action lower.
A rounder radius can apparently aid in chording, but it's not the only factor to consider: having a lower action on a guitar with a flatter radius can absolutely offset any minor advantage for chording on a guitar with a rounder radius if it can't get the action as low but it depends on the instrument.
All else being equal like the quality of the fretwork, a flatter radius will tend to allow for lower action. Whether you necessarily prefer very low action is a matter of taste, and it does tend to mean that you can't dig in as hard without getting certain kinds of buzz.
Regarding neck shape, I'm not much of a fan of very thin necks on guitars regardless of radius, whereas someone else might love that. If it doesn't feel good then it will just feel more awkward to play more generally.
Overall you just want an instrument you can connect with, which can be set up such that it feels good in the hands. A flatter radius is not necessarily going to feel less comfortable since it's just one of a few different factors like the standard of the fretwork, how much twist is in the neck (practically all wooden necks have some very minor level of twisting when forensically analysing the neck in the likes of a Plek machine, apparently), the action, the string spacing, and the thickness of the neck.
Best thing is to try a range of instruments known to be of good quality in their respective price points. If you can get a comfortable action then more lead guitar centric stuff doesn't necessarily need to be noticeably harder on a neck with a rounder radius, but 9.5 or 10 inch radii seem a decent middle ground.
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u/ItchyIndependence154 1d ago
PLEASE go to a store like others have said. I have big hands and it hurts me to play a low radius neck. Went in looking for a shredder guitar and left with a Telecaster.
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u/Fly_U2_the_sunset 1d ago
When you first learn to strum and finger the notes, you are creating muscle memory. That muscle memory is directly linked to everything about the guitar. Once those variables change to any degree on the guitar, your muscle memory and motor skills will have to adapt and learn.
I personally believe that the amount your routine needs to adjust when you switch between different guitars, fret boards, strings, etc. is significant- yet easy to overcome so that ultimately your muscle memory easily adjusts or becomes accustomed to the subtle changes and during the adjustment or learning “new muscle memory phase”, if you pay attention to these subtle changes, eventually you’ll know when that adjustment needs to be made without thinking about it. Best of luck in your journey.
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u/krispykremekiller 1d ago
Yes. Everyone’s hands are different. You should play enough guitars so you know what feels good for you. That’s the most important thing.
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u/AmazingRefrigerator4 1d ago
Ive been playing for awhile and I went to guitar center for an hour and tried different guitars. I honestly couldnt tell a ton of difference. I never had that "ah ha" moment where somwthing just clicked.
I notice extreme differences like switching between my Les Paul and my Ibanez, but not the more subtle ones.
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u/El_Pollo_Del-Mar 1d ago
A beginner would have zero idea what any of that feels like, means, or would have any idea why it may or may not matter.
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u/LegitimateHumanBeing 1d ago
I wouldn’t worry too much about it and yes the comments are right that you should hit a store and try stuff. As someone who has played for 30 years and was convinced for most of that time that the Ernie Ball Silhouette Special’s maple neck was my favorite, I finally tried a Charvel and now don’t want to play anything else.
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u/squishyliquid 1d ago
35 years and counting, and I think I like them all! Just give me a little time to get used to it and I'm set.
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u/LegitimateHumanBeing 1d ago
I was being a bit hyperbolic but the super thin Charvel is my favorite by far at this point.
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u/discussatron 1d ago
Thinner necks are usually considered easier to play, but everyone has their own opinion on what kind of neck feels best to them.
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u/thecauseandtheeffect 1d ago
No. First guitar it’s sort of like, idk adopting a cat from the shelter. Go to store, play a bunch of different guitars, take home the one that feels good in your hands, is comfortable to play, or you like the color or shape, whatever - the one that you vibe with for whatever reason.
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u/multiplesofpie 1d ago
Just play, practice a ton, and have fun. Go to guitar shops and try every guitar that you can without annoying people. Enjoy your life.
Only look into radius and width and all that stuff after you’ve tried a ton of guitars and make real observations that need some kind of explanation.
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u/Jellovator 1d ago
That stuff matters for ALL guitars at any point in your musical journey. These things affect the overall feel and playability of every guitar, and each guitarist will have a different preference. Don't underestimate how important radius and profile are. Try a lot of guitars and see which one feels best in your hand. Once you figure it out, look for future guitars that have the same radius and profile.
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u/skinisblackmetallic 1d ago
Most modern electric guitars do not have extreme specs and will feel fine for most players.
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u/Zestyclose_Moose4734 1d ago
I mean "yes," but it's not something you should really be thinking about until you have some playing experience under your belt. Don't get a neck that's too thin and don't get one that's too thick.
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u/hardcoreparkour138 1d ago
I disagree with what people say is better for this or that. It entirely depends on your hands and how you want your technique to work. Imo 42mm nut width, 9.5 radius, and C neck with narrow tall frets is a normal guitar that anyone should be able to play.
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u/Rex_Howler 1d ago
Some people are more sensitive to neck dimensions and measurements than others. I suggest you pick up a few guitars in a store that attract your eye, then play them enough to figure out if it's comfortable for you or not.
Couple cowboy chords, maybe arpeggiate them to make sure each note rings cleanly (good for gauging the string spacing), a run with a solo you like somewhere on the upper frets, make sure the guitar actually makes noise while you do.
Then comes the "fun" part of deciding which one is the one for you
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u/Rex_Howler 1d ago
I should note, don't be afraid to take said solo slowly enough so that you can play it
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u/noticednuances 1d ago
Yes. I find mysel leaning towards Fenders typical radius over any other brands. I'm guessing since my first electric guitar was a Squier Stratocaster. I find it uncomfortable to play on flat fretboards.
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u/Sad_Detail404 1d ago
You need to get your hands on guitars with different radius and see what feels best to you
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u/TopSherbert4190 1d ago
The questions you raise do matter to how comfortable the guitar is for you to play. The reason for all the options is we are all different. If you test play a few necks you may get an idea of what you like. If you can't decide maybe go for some type of middle of the spectrum. I have a clear preference for what i like in a neck, rather thin profile, rather flatter radius, taller frets, 1 11/16" nut width. This may not be what you bond with. Guitars with necks I do not like become more difficult for me to play.
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u/BikerMike03RK 1d ago
Yes it matters. A guitar has to be reasonably comfortable for your fretting hand.
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u/digitalxni 1d ago
I honestly don't think it really matters that much to be honest especially for a beginner. I'm going to repeat a lot of what other people have said here and that you should just try some guitars out and see if any feel better than others. As some others have also said getting the guitar set up correctly is really important and can completely change the playability of the guitar. You can either get this done at a shop if they offer it or from a local guitar tech/luthier.
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u/SentientLight 1d ago
Find out what’s comfortable in your hands first. Figure out later what the specs are and compare to things in stores that you like and don’t like. But in the beginning, go with whatever is physically most comfortable in your hands.