I have been thinking about trying a Warmoth conversion (24 3/4 scale) neck and wonder how others feel about the stock compound radius (10-16)? I am pretty religious about preferring vintage or 9.5 radius on my guitars, but maybe the compound isn't so bad. Anybody know what the radius comes out to up at the 12th fret?
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SurfGuitar101 Forums » Gear »
Thoughts on compound radius necks for surf?
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Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 284 |
Posted on Aug 24 2012 12:13 PM
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Joined: Dec 08, 2007 Posts: 1305 
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 12:31 PM
I think the only real benefit of a compound radius is with regard to string bending; so notes don't fret out on the higher frets during extreme string bending. Otherwise I don't really see a purpose for a compound radius. —https://www.facebook.com/coffindagger |
Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle 
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 01:04 PM
I've never knowingly picked up a guitar and guess about its radius. A guitar plays well or it doesn't. I like the concept of compound radii, don't know why it is necessary. If you are doing huge bends with light strings... Best playing guitar I own is a 12" radius Gibson. Compared to my 7.5" Fenders or any other fender I've owned this thing blows it away. Chording and bending are preferred on the 12". Not sure if this is a radius thing or just the Gibson craftsmanship being higher on this guitar. Gibson's are much nicer(but sound is where it matters, and all brands have their own place). I also prefer the 9.5" radius Thin Skin Jags and Jazzmasters. Gotta keep the action a little higher on the 7.5" Fenders. Just not as fast either. With that being said, I own three 7.5" Fenders and I play them to death. I'm very discerning when it comes to necks, but I'll play anything. Flat radius, huge nut width, they are all just different. I am hyper sensitive to them when playing, but I don't let it stop me from getting enjoyment out of making music. |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 01:08 PM
6V6 wrote:
Which guitar are you putting this on? A neck of this scale length is seriously going to modify the playability of that guitar, more so than you would notice with a compound radius. Putting that on a strat/tele/jazz is going to reduce the tension. If you ever play one of those guitars after playing a Jag/Gibson/other do you notice how tight the strings feel? And if you put it on a Jag, the tension is going to become tighter. I've never played any of these guitars with a conversion neck, but I'm thinking there are going to be some real tonal changes. |
Joined: Mar 15, 2011 Posts: 8528 Back in Piitsburgh, Pennsylvania, where I grew up. 
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 01:40 PM
I'm actually more curious if the intonation can be set correctly after putting on a shorter neck without moving the bridge. —This is Noel. Reverb's at maximum an' I'm givin' 'er all she's got. |
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Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 284 |
Posted on Aug 24 2012 01:57 PM
Thanks Jake Like you, I have lots of guitars with various specs..strat/jag/jazzmaster/jagmaster/hallmark etc. For me, radius and scale can define what I can do on a guitar. For instance, I love the jag for playing surf, but I its not so great (in my hands) for playing a hendrix solo up at the 15th fret. Also, I suffer from horrible tendon issues in my fretting hand...smaller scale can help quite bit..less stretch and lower tensions, as you mention. Add to that, I don't really care for my strat as a vehicle for surf (apologies to others who do). But, I love it for all sort of other things. I'd like to see if a change in scale might nudge the tone in a direction I would like, while retaining some strat character. And beyond that, I'd love to try a few things...for instance a fender body loaded with Mosrite or Filtertrons combined with a 24 3/4 scale neck and prehaps a Fender offset style trem. I am alway surprised that Fender hasn't done more with 24 3/4. They pretty much own 24 and 25.5! Yes, the cyclone and toronado, but I would like to see another attempt...and especially one with a jag/jazz trem. |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 04:49 PM
Noel wrote:
The necks in question are made for this, so no issues. And regarding mosrite/filtertrons, I think Novak makes a lot of really funky pickups like Mosrite/Filtertron copies that drop into fender guitars. I'd suggest the Gold Foil Pickup replacements, that would be really awesome sounding. |
Joined: Oct 26, 2008 Posts: 608 This Planet Earth
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Posted on Aug 24 2012 05:47 PM
IMO, if you want the lowest action possible without fretting out a compound radius board is the way to go. I own 4 Warmoth necks with compound radii (two on Jazzmasters) and love 'em. Cats 'n' Strats, 'cause that's how I roll - I eat reverb for breakfast! Fenderus Collecticus |
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Joined: Nov 15, 2008 Posts: 284 |
Posted on Aug 24 2012 06:38 PM
Never though about it, but lower action is another plus for my tendon issues. I am curious...when you grab a guitar with a compound neck, does it feel much different than, say a modern fender? I think Fender has a couple in its current strat production line - I should go and play a few. Jake...yes, the Novaks would be so much to experiment with! |
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Joined: Mar 09, 2011 Posts: 273 Melbourne FL USA |
Posted on Aug 25 2012 08:30 AM
I have a 2008 Am Std Strat w/1 peice maple neck & it came w/a compound radius. (Not sure why, cos' the "Deluxe" models is where they are offered & aren't mentioned for the "Am. Standards"). It feels & sounds more "Stratty" than any Strat I've ever had (or have). The neck feels really good & sounds terrific. (It has that roll-off "Delta Tone" that really gives a super clean tone cos' it's "direct circuit"). I have 9's on it and it sounds good......the neck is a dream to play. It's great for surfmusic, (especially Surfaris type "Point Panic" glissandos altho' that was probably a Jazzmaster on the record). I never knew a guitar could feel so good to play ! |
Joined: Aug 29, 2009 Posts: 1556 Israel 
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 01:09 PM
I think the Eric Johnson strat comes with a compound neck. Do yo guys find that it may be beneficial for the long run to try and stay with a similar radius on your various guitars (be good at one thing, perceivably easier), Maybe at some level, it just doesn't matter (except personal preference), and you make the best out of whatever you got. Last edited: Aug 25, 2012 13:12:01 |
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Joined: Feb 26, 2006 Posts: 12159 Seattle
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Posted on Aug 25 2012 01:19 PM
No, I don't think making a point of staying with a similar radius is a good idea. Guitars should be used to make music not become technically proficient. People should experiment with any guitar that strikes their fancy. If they all have the same radius, great! If it is a bunch of weird funky guitars, then great! Timbre and what notes you do and do not choose to play are much more important that trying to become a virtuoso. Personally, I get use to necks very quickly. I don't like to play a lot of notes, I have little interest in solos. Just well constructed melodies and parts to accompany it. If somebody was a more technically demanding player I could see how they would want similar radii and necks. |
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