What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

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What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by SemiOpaque » Fri Jun 12, 2020 4:04 am

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?

Post by Singlebladepickup » Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:23 am

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.

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by SemiOpaque » Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:36 am

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?

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by Larry Mal » Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:44 am

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.
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by adamrobertt » Fri Jun 12, 2020 5:54 am

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.

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by mortron » Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:07 am

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

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by dinosaurkale-> » Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:31 am

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

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by mgeek » Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:41 am

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

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by s_mcsleazy » Fri Jun 12, 2020 6:45 am

7.25 if i'm doing a lot of rhythm stuff.
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by SignoftheDragon » Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:49 am

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.

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by tdbajus » Fri Jun 12, 2020 10:56 am

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...

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by Kyon » Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:18 am

7.25 fits my hands better for chord melody but for more modern shred 9.5

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by vistavision » Fri Jun 12, 2020 11:41 am

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.
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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by soul1 » Fri Jun 12, 2020 12:41 pm

9.5 all the way. I can't really hang with 7.25.

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Re: What's your personal preference, 7.25 or 9.5 radius fretboard?

Post by SemiOpaque » Fri Jun 12, 2020 9:53 pm

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 :whistle: . Will post pics when it arrives.

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