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Flat fretboard on a 5-string bass?

MPU

MPU

Sep 21, 2004
3,703
10,692
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Valkeala Finland
#1
I've read all the search results for flat fretboard. How much different does it feel compared to say 20" radius fretboard? I'd imagine not a lot. I play fingerstyle and I'd like to try flat fretboard on the fiver I'm making. Any reasons why I should't make the fretboard flat?
Marko
 
#2
My Rockbass Corvette $$ is a 20", my homebuilt fretless is flat. I have to say that I play each equally fine (or bad). I personally am not bothered byt the flat board. Both are fivers.

Try it with a flat board first. If it does not work you can still radius it.
 
#6
I guess I will buck the trend. Without at least a slight radius, the inside strings (A and D on a four string) feel sunken in to me. My first build was a 4 string fretless and I started with a flat board but just didn't care for the feel. I went with a 16 radius and it felt much better to me. Anything over 4 strings with a flat radius would really mess me up. But hey, whatever makes you happy is what matters.
 
#10
You should consider not only the radius but neck profile and string spacing.
IMHO the flatter the better.
JB is very confortable due string spacing not for the small radius IMO
The last model of Jerzy Drodz is flat.
The trend goes to flatter FB in all makers.
The only reasons to radius a FB is make easy bar chords with the index or make posible bow the instrument matching the FB with radiused bridge.
Ive just finished my own five string fretless with flat fingerboard, asym profile, 46mm nut 72 bridge:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=705713&page=2
The bass is very confortable, I love the action, flat FB allows the lowest action, I prefer it by far to radiused FB.
Let it flat, give it a try and if it dont like you always can change.

Just my opinion
 
#11
They also make those compound radius necks. Although I don't see the point of one on a bass really. I like equal playability across the neck.

I remember playing a 5-string P-bass, the middle strings played really smoothly. Now, a 5-string P bass supposedly has the same radius as a 4-string. But I think, when it's stretched out like that, that the radius towards the middle gets pretty flat.
 

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