7.5 inch neck radius!

[eupharies]

Does anyone have experience using one compared to a 9.5 inch radius.

Basically i have tiny hands, and it seems the rule is if you have smaller hands, you will suit a smaller radius...!

Thanks

 

[Bernin]

I don't know about that.. If you have a very tight radius, then the E string would be further away than if it were a flatter radius. I'd say a better solution for small hands is making sure your technique is at a good spot, and finding a neck with a narrower nut, slimmer neck profile, or both.
IMO, IME, etc...

 

[John Wentzien]

I like the 9.5
if you bend strings it will "fret-out" more easily on a smaller radius.
The 7.25 does "feel" better but not as functional IMO

 

[eupharies]

oh would it really.. i thought that on a 7.5 it would be able to reach the E string and therefore have more finger stretch on it.... so thats not the case...

 

[eupharies]

i just dont get the difference really can any1 explain it as if i was an idiot haha.,...

So irishpride in effect... if i say got an 11inch neck radius the E string would be closer.... im looking to get a stringray you see

 

[LilRay]

eupharies, I think you may be confusing neck "radius" with a neck "profile". A necks radius has to do with the curvature of the fingerboard ONLY. A neck profile has to do with everything else (back of the neck, nut width etc).

A 7.5 "radius" would be "rounder" on the front of the neck than a 9.5 which consequently would be "flatter". The radius has nothing to do with the "size" of a neck.

I think with small hands you'd be looking for a small "profile" ie; a Jazz Bass.

P.S. I've never heard of a 7.5 radius before. Fender Vintage Standard is 7.25

Hope this is helpful.

God Bless, Ray

 

[eupharies]

i have a jazz bass which is fine, i was just thinking that if the neck radius was less, that id be able to wrap my hands around more and have more access to the E string!

 

[LilRay]

I don't think you understand.

Radius has NOTHING TO DO with being able to reach the E string PERIOD.

If you want a flatter fingerboard (where the strings are) you need a "higher" radius ie; 9.5 , 12, 16 etc. The higher the number the flatter the fingerboard. If you want a "skinnier" neck ie; strings closer together you want a smaller nut width. The Fender Jazz has one of the "skinniest/narrowest" necks available.

Can't get your hand around a Jazz Bass, go short scale.

God Bless, Ray

 

[smogg]

i have a jazz bass which is fine, i was just thinking that if the neck radius was less, that id be able to wrap my hands around more and have more access to the E string!

I have small hands and have had better luck with the flatter fret boards. When it's too rounded it makes me feel like I have to stretch more than I like. My Millennium 5er has a 15" radius and a very shallow neck profile, works out good for me.

As always YMMV.

 

[Rickett Customs]

Basically i have tiny hands...........

Couldn't resist.........

 

[smogg]

Couldn't resist.........

LMFAO

 

[John Wentzien]

LOL

 

[Mike]

i have a jazz bass which is fine, i was just thinking that if the neck radius was less, that id be able to wrap my hands around more and have more access to the E string!

for clarification, as Ray mentioned, and in very simple terms, the larger the radius the flatter... the smaller the radius the more rounded an object will be. this is a case where less is more.

 

[eupharies]

lol ... when you say a smaller neck profile, you mean like a jazz neck for instance...

so in effect if i got a neck with a bigger radius, id find it easier to stretch....

 

[kcole4001]

That's one reason I like Rick necks (which are 10" radius): fairly narrow and very little taper from heel to nut.

 

[svtb15]

7.5 should be any old fender bass that you find... that was the standard

 

[mongo2]

P.S. I've never heard of a 7.5 radius before. Fender Vintage Standard is 7.25

This.

 

[moobass]

A 7.5 "radius" would be "rounder" on the front of the neck than a 9.5 which consequently would be "flatter". The radius has nothing to do with the "size" of a neck.

This

 

[Fun Size Nick]

Neck profile refers to the shape of the back of the neck and the thickness of the neck's cross-section. Fingerboard radius refers to the flatness or roundness of the fingerboard. See here for explanation of how the number relates to the flatness or roundness of the board.

Fender FAQ about neck profile Invalid Link Removed.

My advice? Play a bunch of different instruments with differing neck profiles and fingerboard radii and see what you find to be the most comfortable - don't go in thinking that you know what you will like; try things that you think you wouldn't. I played an Ibanez Soundgear for years, thinking that a shallow, flat neck was what I liked best. Then I played an old Fender Jazz with a big deep neck with a round fingerboard and LOVED it. I then got an old Precision with an even bigger, wider neck, and LOVED it. When I go back and play the Ibanez, I feel like I'm playing a toothpick with strings

 

[BassmanAd]

My advice? Play a bunch of different instruments with differing neck profiles and fingerboard radii and see what you find to be the most comfortable.QUOTE]

Best advice yet I reckon. As someone with pretty small hands I tend to find a small radius more comfortable. Flatter fretboards make me feel like I have to dig in harder with my left hand. But the best thing would be to try out a bunch of different stuff and see which works best for you. Vintage type fenders have the 7.25 radius which is about as small as it gets.