Can I change a 7 1/4 radius to a 9 1/2?

[momo]

I have a few precisions (and a strat) that have a radius of 7.25. I feel better playing of boards of 9.5 or more. Can I use a stewmac radius block to reshape these frets to this radius? Would I have to defret and reshape the whole board, or can I just do the frets, assuming there is enough fret left on the neck (my 78's frets are a tad low)?

I am looking at fret leveling tools for Christmas (the book too) and just want to make sure that I don't need the 7.25 if I prefer a 9.5 radius.

How flat can you go? I am into the idea of going with a flatter compound on the 12th+ frets.

Thanks for the info.

[momo]

Oh, and if I use the skip method of crowning, do I need any other tools? I'm also thinking of the fret beveling file, necessary?

[ehque]

Defret and shape the whole board would be my recommendation. I'll let more people chime in now, treat this as a friendly bump.

[waseok]

I think if u will radius the frets, from 7 to 9 u will have a lot of metal to remove (lol)..
so i would rather defret, re-radius and then put frets.

[Chebass88]

Make sure to check the thickness of the fretboard material. You will be taking the most wood from the center of the fretboard (proportionally), so if it is not thick enough, you could completely remove it - the rosewood on my 78 PBass is pretty thin - not as thick as the ebony on my G&L L2500 or my Pedulla Thunderbass.

+1 on removing the frets & replacing. If not, you'l be sanding a ALOT of metal, and then you will be left with merely the fret tang without a way to pull it out.

My personal recommenation would be to buy a replacement neck with the larger radius, that way, if you find that you prefer the 7.25, you can switch back, which is highly unlikely if having to re-shape the neck.

imp

[erikbojerik]

Yank the frets, re-radius, then re-fret. If you try to do this with the frets on, you will come close to sanding through them and into the wood (depending on what kind of fretwire you have).

Get ALL the proper fret-job tools. That includes a good straightedge....don't balk thinking "why would I spend $40 for a ruler?" you should be thinking "$40 is an investment in a good fret job". If you pay attention to detail in levelling, crowning and setup, there's no reason you can't do a good fret job yourself.

Be very careful to take off only as much wood as you need when you re-radius, and no more. Or you may also find yourself sanding through the dots.

[momo]

Good to know everyone. So if I need to do a leveling on any 7.25 boards, I just need the 7.25 radius block. Is this correct?

Oh, and don't worry, I'll practice plenty before I put one to my 78 P.