What fretboard radius should I get? Need Help on deciding!

Alpenglow · 01-30-2012, 05:37 PM

Hear me out guys, I need help!So basically I ordered a Carvin DC700 and it comes with a 14" fretboard radius standard (although it says 20" on their website, it costs $40 extra). I figured this would be fine for me because I have been playing on a Schecter Omen 6 (14" radius) for two years now, as before I had no funds.
However, I've realized that maybe a 20" radius would better suit me. I play music about as technical as Periphery or Scale the Summit, and I use chords about as much as Periphery does. The opportunity to test different radii is hard for me though, because I'm a lefty and lefties are hard to come by here (they only have a couple low end Ibanez and Shecters at stores here).

Now the general consensus (it seems) is the lower the easier for traditional chords, and the flatter the easier for shredding and tapping. I at first thought 14" was fine for me because JP shreds on a 15" radius that he designed and Loomis shreds on a 14". Yet at the same time Chris Letchford said that as far as playability his Strandberg is the best playing of his guitars (20" - 22") and Misha prefers a flatter fretboard? Is it worth spending $90 mid-order to change it.
Thoughts?
TL;DR:
I tap and play shreddy/lead stuff about as much as Periphery or Scale the Summit and use chords about as often as they do as well. Is it worth spending $90 mid-order to change it?

atimoc · 01-30-2012, 05:41 PM

IMO the playability becomes drastically different only when you go below 10", 14" should pose no problem.

Alpenglow · 01-30-2012, 06:58 PM

That's what I was hoping. A friend of mine with a couple Ibanez guitars said there really isn't that much of a difference from a 400mm ibby radius and a 14" radius.

HighPotency · 01-30-2012, 09:22 PM

It's all personal preference. IIRC, typical Ibanez radius is around 17".

20" is pretty damn flat.

Jessy · 01-31-2012, 09:16 AM

You'll be happier if you get the flatter radius. Life is short. Definitely do it.

Deadnightshade · 01-31-2012, 09:37 AM

I play an 8 with a relatively flat radius (must be 20"-22" haven't actually measured it) , and one with a completely flat radius.I like the flat radius better.

For the record,both necks have totally flat profiles (with the flat fingerboard one having a pinch chunkier flat neck).

USMarine75 · 01-31-2012, 09:41 AM

You seem like you know what you want and you just want us to reaffirm it for you...

I prefer compound radius 12-16" because best of both worlds... if not compound, then my next favorite is the Ibanez at 430mm (~17"). I've never played 20" but I assume it feels similar to the Ibanez... so, if that's the style that you want I don't see why you shouldn't get it now than regret it later... If you're not big into bar chords than you shouldn't have any playing issues... (IMO)

Alpenglow · 01-31-2012, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMarine75

You seem like you know what you want and you just want us to reaffirm it for you...

Now that I think about it you're probably right.

I'll go ahead and change that order. Thanks guys.

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01-30-2012, 05:37 PM	#1
Alpenglow music and shat Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 411 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	What fretboard radius should I get? Need Help on deciding! Hear me out guys, I need help!So basically I ordered a Carvin DC700 and it comes with a 14" fretboard radius standard (although it says 20" on their website, it costs $40 extra). I figured this would be fine for me because I have been playing on a Schecter Omen 6 (14" radius) for two years now, as before I had no funds. However, I've realized that maybe a 20" radius would better suit me. I play music about as technical as Periphery or Scale the Summit, and I use chords about as much as Periphery does. The opportunity to test different radii is hard for me though, because I'm a lefty and lefties are hard to come by here (they only have a couple low end Ibanez and Shecters at stores here). Now the general consensus (it seems) is the lower the easier for traditional chords, and the flatter the easier for shredding and tapping. I at first thought 14" was fine for me because JP shreds on a 15" radius that he designed and Loomis shreds on a 14". Yet at the same time Chris Letchford said that as far as playability his Strandberg is the best playing of his guitars (20" - 22") and Misha prefers a flatter fretboard? Is it worth spending $90 mid-order to change it. Thoughts? TL;DR: I tap and play shreddy/lead stuff about as much as Periphery or Scale the Summit and use chords about as often as they do as well. Is it worth spending $90 mid-order to change it?

01-30-2012, 05:41 PM	#2
atimoc deus ex machina Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Finland Posts: 564 Thanked: 23 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	IMO the playability becomes drastically different only when you go below 10", 14" should pose no problem. "These songs are long and there are fast parts, so that automatically means that they're good!"

01-31-2012, 09:37 AM	#6
Deadnightshade I'm sayin' Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Athens Posts: 1,197 Thanked: 5 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I play an 8 with a relatively flat radius (must be 20"-22" haven't actually measured it) , and one with a completely flat radius.I like the flat radius better. For the record,both necks have totally flat profiles (with the flat fingerboard one having a pinch chunkier flat neck). Die.Get cremated.Laugh your ash off..

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01-30-2012, 06:58 PM	#3
Alpenglow music and shat Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Indiana Posts: 411 Thanked: 3 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	That's what I was hoping. A friend of mine with a couple Ibanez guitars said there really isn't that much of a difference from a 400mm ibby radius and a 14" radius.

01-30-2012, 09:22 PM	#4
HighPotency SS.org Regular Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 370 Thanked: 2 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	It's all personal preference. IIRC, typical Ibanez radius is around 17". 20" is pretty damn flat.

01-31-2012, 09:16 AM	#5
Jessy Banned Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NE Ohio Posts: 280 Thanked: 2 / 1 Feedback Score: 0 reviews	You'll be happier if you get the flatter radius. Life is short. Definitely do it.

01-31-2012, 09:41 AM	#7
USMarine75 糟糕 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: MA Posts: 1,704 Thanked: 24 Feedback Score: 2 reviews	You seem like you know what you want and you just want us to reaffirm it for you... I prefer compound radius 12-16" because best of both worlds... if not compound, then my next favorite is the Ibanez at 430mm (~17"). I've never played 20" but I assume it feels similar to the Ibanez... so, if that's the style that you want I don't see why you shouldn't get it now than regret it later... If you're not big into bar chords than you shouldn't have any playing issues... (IMO)