Fingerboard Radius

[Sibob]

So I don't really understand fretboard radius'.
I understand that it's a curvature of the fingerboard, but where are the actual measurements coming from?

From what I can gather, 3 of my basses have these radius':
2003 US Jazz - 9.5"
1973 Jazz - 7.25"
Squier Deluxe 5string - 12"

Do the higher values mean, less curvature? I think my 5 string is flatter than the two 4's.
I'm more interested in the practical differences between my two Jazz basses to be honest

Thanks
Si

[Protium]

Imagine a circle with a 7.25" radius and your fretboard is a line between two points on the circle.
Using a bigger circle with a 12" radius with the same sized fretboard will be flatter.
Exaggerated example:
[attachment=34067:radius.PNG]

[size=1]edit for clearer pic and poor english [/size]

Edited October 6, 2009 by Protium

[henry norton]

It means a bit more with guitars where a smaller radius (ie. more curve), can choke the strings if you bend them, especially if the action's really low. Bass generally having a higher action doesn't really mean so much. I've seen some multi string monsters (7, 8, 9 string), with no radius at all and are apparently very nice to play.

[Sibob]

Gotcha!
Thanks very much!

So the difference between a 7.25" and a 9.5" is going to be fairly minuscule I guess!?

Si

[henry norton]

[quote name='Sibob' post='618812' date='Oct 6 2009, 06:32 PM']Gotcha!
Thanks very much!

So the difference between a 7.25" and a 9.5" is going to be fairly minuscule I guess!?

Si[/quote]

Well, it's like tonewoods, finishes, capacitors, construction, magnets etc. - some people don't think it makes any difference and some people think it's the difference between 'perfect' and 'unplayable'.

But yes, there's not much in it - probably more of a marketing ploy than an assertive effort on behalf of Fender to improve their instruments.

[Al Heeley]

Nothing really to do with tone, but whatever feels more comfortable really. At the end of the day that's down to your hand size, your playing style, what you learnt on and your own personal preference

[nig]

somewhere I downloaded a gauge you can print onto a sheet of paper, cut it out and you can tell what radius it is, try google for it.

[GreeneKing]

[quote name='henry norton' post='618811' date='Oct 6 2009, 05:32 PM']It means a bit more with guitars where a smaller radius (ie. more curve), can choke the strings if you bend them, especially if the action's really low. Bass generally having a higher action doesn't really mean so much. I've seen some multi string monsters (7, 8, 9 string), with no radius at all and are apparently very nice to play.[/quote]


Clever Dick here. A flat board doesn't mean no radius at all but an infinite radius

My 5 string Harlot had a flat board and was very nice to play. Some basses have a compound radius where the radius changes along the length of the neck.

[EssentialTension]

[quote name='GreeneKing' post='619857' date='Oct 7 2009, 06:51 PM']Some basses have a compound radius where the radius changes along the length of the neck.[/quote]
Is that the same as asymmetrical radius or would asymmetric refer to a radius change across the neck rather than along the length of the neck?

[Prosebass]

Interesting topic this as I have conflicting thoughts on whether a bass really needs a radius on the fingerboard.
Is it purely left over from the double bass and other bowed string instruments that need a large radius to accommodate the bowing action.
With lead guitars barre chords are more comfortable played on a highly curved fingerboard and it aids string bending. Some classical and Flamenco guitars have a totally flat fingerboard that suits certain styles of playing and not others.
In other instances preople just report it as being 'more comfortable' with a radius.
Best thing to do is for me to put a neck together with a flat board and report back on my findings.

[GreeneKing]

[quote name='EssentialTension' post='619870' date='Oct 7 2009, 07:10 PM']Is that the same as asymmetrical radius or would asymmetric refer to a radius change across the neck rather than along the length of the neck?[/quote]


I'd say that assymetrical would be as you suggest, across the neck.

[eightball]

[quote name='nig' post='619840' date='Oct 7 2009, 06:24 PM']somewhere I downloaded a gauge you can print onto a sheet of paper, cut it out and you can tell what radius it is, try google for it.[/quote]

here?

[url="http://www.kinman.com/Shop/raduis_tmp.htm"]http://www.kinman.com/Shop/raduis_tmp.htm[/url]

[Al Heeley]

and here:
[url="http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/"]http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/[/url]
[url="http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/bass_guitar_radius_gauge.pdf"]http://www.tunemybass.com/bass_setup/bass_...adius_gauge.pdf[/url]