What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
- SemiOpaque
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What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I'm interested to hear opinions on which fretboard you prefer. Obviously the vintage JMs and Jags have 7.25. I myself have a MIJ 7.25 in Old Candy Apple Red with matching headstock. I love this guitar. However, I'm finding myself drawn to a 9.5. The reason I'm bringing this up is because there have been a few select JMs imported to my country and right now I can get a Sherwood Green 'Hybrid' MIJ with a 9.5inch board, these seem to not be as common as the 7.25 MIJ, which would be the JM66. There aren't a lot, one large store here only received one. It doesn't have a matching headstock, although comes with US pickups (VMOD). Satin neck and an upgraded bridge, so there really isn't much to spend after getting it. Unlike my current, which I upgraded pick ups and went to a mastery bridge. I can't seem to reason with myself in keeping two guitars that are quite similar, so if I buy the Sherwood, the OCR may have to go. I know the Sherwood isn't as period correct, but ultimately it comes down to playability and feel. Anyway, total first world problem here, I know it's a silly predicament. But I'm interested to hear the opinion from other offset fans.
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I prefer 7.25, but what you prefer is what's important. It's also less important to me than some other specs, and I don't care about period accuracy, but ymmv.
- SemiOpaque
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I agree, period accuracy isn't super important to me personally. If it mattered a great deal, I suppose more of us would be going for nitro finishes..
What specs do you place above radius?
What specs do you place above radius?
- Larry Mal
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I prefer 7.25" usually, but I have a Telecaster with 9.5" which is just an incredibly well playing guitar. I also have a G&L Legacy which is 25.5" in scale length and has a 12" radius and that plays incredibly.
I think I finally don't care much about radius, but every now and then I play one of my Fenders with the 7.25" and it just feels so right.
I think I finally don't care much about radius, but every now and then I play one of my Fenders with the 7.25" and it just feels so right.
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- adamrobertt
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I prefer 9.5. I don't outright hate 7.25 but I usually try to find 9.5 when I'm buying a new Fender.
- mortron
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
While always conscious of radius making a difference, I can't say I know the radius on any of my instruments. That said, I am fairly certain they're in the 9.5-12 range as my oldest guitar is about 25 years old and none are advertised as having a "vintage" radius.
Each feels different and find some necks are better than others for various reasons. In my experience, it's kind of a combination of factors. One neck I have is like a bat, round and thick, another is flatter and thinner. Both are two of my favourite necks and they have different fretboard radius, frets and finishes.
Comfort may come down to a combination of factors for some. If bends fret out on vintage radius for some, that could be all the reason for a switch to a different radius. If you don't bend, then that aspect is a non-issue. OP mentioned the newer radius felt comfortable... I think that is key. If a guitar's uncomfortable to play, you're not gonna reach for it as often IME
Each feels different and find some necks are better than others for various reasons. In my experience, it's kind of a combination of factors. One neck I have is like a bat, round and thick, another is flatter and thinner. Both are two of my favourite necks and they have different fretboard radius, frets and finishes.
Comfort may come down to a combination of factors for some. If bends fret out on vintage radius for some, that could be all the reason for a switch to a different radius. If you don't bend, then that aspect is a non-issue. OP mentioned the newer radius felt comfortable... I think that is key. If a guitar's uncomfortable to play, you're not gonna reach for it as often IME
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
i prefer 9.5
i like a 12 for riffing / power chords
i try to stay away from 7.25 but its not a deal breaker
i like a 12 for riffing / power chords
i try to stay away from 7.25 but its not a deal breaker
- mgeek
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
when I'm fretting a guitar I've put the fretboard on, I like 9.5. It's easier to dial them in, get the frets seated etc imo, but when playing I don't have a preference. Both good, just different, and i never think about it when playing
- s_mcsleazy
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
7.25 if i'm doing a lot of rhythm stuff.
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- SignoftheDragon
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I could go either way fender-wise.
Personal preference though? I like the compound radius on my Charvels best- I think its a 10-13" grade, and it feels the best in my hand.
Personal preference though? I like the compound radius on my Charvels best- I think its a 10-13" grade, and it feels the best in my hand.
- tdbajus
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
I used to love the smaller, more vintage radius, but I have been converted to the 9.5"
Obviously, opinions very widely, but I find that big frets and a slightly flatter radius make the guitars SO MUCH easier to play that I am going to sell the '65 jazzmaster in my avatar that has been my main guitar for almost 20 years. It feels unplayable to me now that I have become flat and fancy.
I guess I should post it up here sometime soon...
Obviously, opinions very widely, but I find that big frets and a slightly flatter radius make the guitars SO MUCH easier to play that I am going to sell the '65 jazzmaster in my avatar that has been my main guitar for almost 20 years. It feels unplayable to me now that I have become flat and fancy.
I guess I should post it up here sometime soon...
- Kyon
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
7.25 fits my hands better for chord melody but for more modern shred 9.5
- vistavision
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
The plan I instigated last year was get down to just the guitars I'm most creative with. That left me with....my three 7.25" guitars. I hang fine with other radii, though. People always bitch about bends with 7.25 but I've never had a problem with that.
I'm sure some Fender dealer in '64 looked at the new Duo-Sonic II and thought, "That's not a Duo-Sonic. That's a Mustang".
- soul1
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
9.5 all the way. I can't really hang with 7.25.
- SemiOpaque
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?
Thanks you all for the input. Interesting to see the different perspectives. I bit the bullet and ordered the Sherwood Green this morning. Should be here by mid/end next week. I’ll keep both for a few months and see which one gets the most play time. Who knows, maybe I’ll convince myself to keep both . Will post pics when it arrives.