Why are less new guitars 7.25?

[GreenKnee]

Wow, great image, thanks for making it.
At first I thought, wow there really is basically no difference between the 2 on paper. But in the hand it is surprising how different the 2 can feel. Really interesting.

[mashastrat]

Wow, great image, thanks for making it.
At first I thought, wow there really is basically no difference between the 2 on paper. But in the hand it is surprising how different the 2 can feel. Really interesting.

Yeah thanks for the technical illustration… but does anyone have a fret gauge tool.

Either showing 9.5” radius gauge tool on a 7.25” neck just to put your technical illustration into context a perspective?

Radius seems more noticeable the smaller nut width.

Like a Jag-Stang’s narrow neck.

[Sonichris]

Take this story for what its worth.

A few years ago, I made a Telecaster with a completely flat radius neck at Texas Toast Guitars for our annual guitar show. I called it the "infinity" radius neck. We displayed it, and probably 6 or 8 local pickers, some very accomplished, picked it up and played it. I told every single one there was something very different about the guitar. None said the fretboard is flat. NOT ONE!!!! They guessed dumb stuff like body shape, or other very minor differences. A couple of them played it for quite a while, playing all sorts of licks and bends, and even said how much they liked how it played.

As soon as I told them the fretboard was completely flat, several said "well, I guess it would be good for slide."

[Larry Mal]

Classical guitars are traditionally flat across the neck. So are banjos, but in both cases, radiused necks are starting to show up.

[mashastrat]

[ThePearDream]

drew it up in CAD

This is a great image, would you mind adding 12" to it?

Here you go! I didn't save the original, so I had to redraw it, so it might look a little different. I also changed the main dimensions to decimal, since it shows the difference better (IMO).

[Futuron]

Remarkable. Hardly any difference visually.






I find my 12" necks to be less comfortable to play. That is mostly negated by rolled-edges, but only some guitars come that way.

[andy_tchp]

As soon as I told them the fretboard was completely flat, several said "well, I guess it would be good for slide."

[maaaaaaaaaaark]

Call me cynical, but I think a big part of it is that 7.25 appeals to vintage Fender enthusiasts/purists, so it makes business sense to restrict it to more expensive models. The average player probably doesn’t care that much either way.

In the cnc era they could easily churn out a line of ‘vintage inspired’ squiers with 7.25 necks alongside the standard fare, but they need some exclusive spec options to hold back.

Same reason the cheaper models often don’t have precisely ‘vintage correct’ colours.

[welshywelsh]

This is likely a reflection on my guitar playing ability, but after reading this thread I checked my guitars, two of which are 7.25 and two are 9.5. Can't say I've ever noticed a difference in playing

[R_T_Hermit]

after reading this thread I checked my guitars, two of which are 7.25 and two are 9.5. Can't say I've ever noticed a difference in playing

I fall into this camp and, after that beautiful graphic was posted, I realized that my preferences were as much the overall neck shape and not necessarily the actual radius. I have a wonderful AmPro I Jag that, since I got it, I’ve played more than any other, but my only complaint is that I wish the neck was as lean as my 62 Jag. I burned a bunch of money on a CS, heavy relic, limited edition Strat (7.25) that has virtually the same neck shape as the 62 Jag and I love it—although I miss that 22nd fret. I just bought a Squier Sonic Esquire while they were on sale for $159, and it has a wonderful neck shape, even though pretty much nothing is vintage spec. So… I’ve clung to 7.25” as my go-to, without realizing I have a specific neck shape that I prefer—regardless of radius.

[mashastrat]

Call me cynical, but I think a big part of it is that 7.25 appeals to vintage Fender enthusiasts/purists, so it makes business sense to restrict it to more expensive models. The average player probably doesn’t care that much either way.

In the cnc era they could easily churn out a line of ‘vintage inspired’ squiers with 7.25 necks alongside the standard fare, but they need some exclusive spec options to hold back.

Same reason the cheaper models often don’t have precisely ‘vintage correct’ colours.

Are the fret board shaping done by CNC? I was under the impression the neck was last piece that was really hand done. Maybe I’m mislead by those ‘inside the factory’ YouTube videos, and it’s on the dearer models.

Squier’s they are more machine made? Or the does the CNC just do the template and someone has to sand off round both body & neck regardless of model?

Perhaps I’ve been mislead by those ‘inside the factory’ Fender & Gibson YouTube videos.

[mashastrat]

I’m in a bit of decision difficulty, there’s a used guitar I’ve seen with a 7.25” neck and vintage fret combination.

But a number of the frets have some pretty bad wear, pitting, indent grooves. The seller isn’t so good at showing how bad they are with decent photos or information.

One of the drawbacks of vintage/vintage spec… would you buy a guitar that’s not so rare, a pretty modern MIJ mustang. The unsure of level & crown or a refret.

[sal paradise]

This thread is definitely telling me that other things about the neck probably determine the feel way more than radius.

I’ve had 3 cobain mustang necks over the years & I thought it was the radius that made them super comfy. Now that I think about the 7.25 on my avri Tele vs the 9.5 on my Jag, there’s little difference. So something like rounded edges on the mustang neck must be what I was feeling.

My squier CV tele feels almost flat to me, I’ve never enjoyed it. As it’s 9.5”, there’s obviously something else going on as I have two Les Paul’s that are a dream to fret with.

[mashastrat]

after reading this thread I checked my guitars, two of which are 7.25 and two are 9.5. Can't say I've ever noticed a difference in playing

I fall into this camp and, after that beautiful graphic was posted, I realized that my preferences were as much the overall neck shape and not necessarily the actual radius. I have a wonderful AmPro I Jag that, since I got it, I’ve played more than any other, but my only complaint is that I wish the neck was as lean as my 62 Jag. I burned a bunch of money on a CS, heavy relic, limited edition Strat (7.25) that has virtually the same neck shape as the 62 Jag and I love it—although I miss that 22nd fret. I just bought a Squier Sonic Esquire while they were on sale for $159, and it has a wonderful neck shape, even though pretty much nothing is vintage spec. So… I’ve clung to 7.25” as my go-to, without realizing I have a specific neck shape that I prefer—regardless of radius.

It’s harder getting harder to find even a ‘Custom Shop’ Fender with 7.25, I’ve continuously contemplated that’s the solution to the neck / guitar all I’ll need. But can’t bring myself justifying the extortionate expense of a custom order.

It’s a combination of 4 it seems, radius, nut width, depth, shape. Getting it all right.