The … Most basses have a rosewood fingerboard or a maple fingerboard. The difference of a 10" and 12" Historic's radius was not evan noticed by me until I used a radius gage to find out what it was. Ibanez offers electric guitars, bass guitars, acoustic guitars, effect and pedals, amps, plus guitar accessories like tuners, straps and picks. With this type of board, the radius changes as the player moves from the nut up the scale. Fender seem to make a big deal of this in their literature but Gibson not so much? A compound radius neck is a neck that has one radius at the nut and a different, larger radius at the heel of the neck. Standard Delivery Times. It never really went away completely, but its prevalence was superseded in the modern era by the slightly more flattened 9.5” radius. This is meant to give a better playing experience for both rhythm playing towards the nut side of the fretboard, and soloing towards the heel side. Typically, the larger the number measuring the fretboard face, the wider the radius. The fingerboard (also known as a fretboard on fretted instruments) is an important component of most stringed instruments.It is a thin, long strip of material, usually wood, that is laminated to the front of the neck of an instrument. As your playing heats up and moves up the Dinky's fretboard, the radius flattens out for easier runs and big string bends. How Is Fretboard Radius Measured? The fingerboard radius measurement itself refers to the radius of a circle from which a small segment of the circumference equal to the width of the fingerboard is taken. FREE Shipping by Amazon. You don’t have to look too closely at most electric guitar and bass fingerboards to see that few if any of them are truly flat; most of them have a slight convex curvature across their width. Of course, a scalloped fretboard is something different entirely, and can have any kind of radius in addition to the scooped-out fretboard surface between each fret. For example, a circle with a 12” radius yields a 12” fingerboard radius, which is slightly flatter than a 9.5” radius on a fingerboard of the same width. These are all subtle differences, but differences nonetheless. The advantage of a compound-radius fingerboard is that some guitarists find the more rounded radius near the headstock preferable for chording and the more flattened radius near the body preferable for soloing. Radiusing a neck can be done in a number ways. Guitar Fretboard Intervals Exercise Tool. How is it measured, and why is it important? Each fretboard is ready to be cut and sanded down to preferred size! The fingerboard radius is the measure of the arc of the fingerboard across its width. 10" vs. 12" vs. 14". The radius of that large circle is measured in inches. September 24, 2015 September 15, 2015 by Best Bass Gear. Learn how it affects playability and comfort. The right quality of the correct tuning and playing bass guitar and the richness of the rich tones are truly fascinating. For example, if you have a circle with a 7.25” radius and remove … For guitars, some players feel that smaller radii (7.25–10") are more comfortable for chord and rhythm playing, while larger radii (12"-16" and up to flat) are better for fast soloing. Price Filter $ to $ Go. When the fretboard of a guitar is designed it is imagined as being part of a larger circle, as you can see in the picture below: Playing the wrong size guitar is like wearing the wrong size shoes. radius - the fretboard radius, in inches The StingRay was the first production four string bass to feature on-board active equalization. T he WAV RADIUS Bass is completely about the experience, every time you pick it up. It's in the feel of the instrument before you plug it in, and it's embodied in the tone, performance and possibilities when the house lights go down. You don’t have to look too closely at most electric guitar and bass fingerboards to see that few if any of them are truly flat; most of them have a slight convex curvature across their width. Martin acoustic guitars have had a 16″ radius dating back to the 1930s. Item Search. Only 3 left in stock - order soon. Other types of stringed instruments don’t have these “radiused” fingerboards. Most of them have a slight convex curve through their width. But generally speaking, there are two major methods. Typically when examining a bass guitar, the fretboard radius will be narrower towards the nut of the guitar and wider towards the front pickup at the botton of the neck. Each fretboard will be slotted with up to 25 slots. 9 Understring Radius Gauge - … Many people agree that a radiused fretboard works best with the natural curvature of the hand. When the body of a guitar is too large, it forces you to reach around awkwardly to pick or strum the strings, putting your fret hand in an even mor… If you’re making a guitar with one of our free templates , the nut width can be measured after printing or in a program like Adobe Illustrator. Innovative Black Finish Makes It Easier to See if Strings are Touching, Plus Instructions … I felt like it was easier to play technical lines on the flat fretboard, and my right (plucking) hand also appreciated it because the bass had flat pickups. Fretboard radius is an often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood part of the guitar selection process. On instruments with compound-radius fingerboards, string height is typically set to match the fingerboard radius basically in the middle of the scale length; i.e., at or near the 12th fret. In fact, I have been looking for an ST-style guitar with a vintage 7.25 inch radius necks (184 mm, I believe) but apparently only guitars above 600€ feature it. This is also handy for matching pickup polepiece heights to the arc of the strings. Since this part of the bass guitar will see a lot of wear, harder woods are used. Fretboard radius is an often overlooked and sometimes misunderstood part of the guitar selection process. The fretboard radius is the measure of the arc of its width. About three dozen currently available Fender electric instruments feature a compound-radius fingerboard in which the degree of curvature gradually changes along the length of the neck, with the arc greatest near the headstock and gradually (but not completely) flattening toward the body end of the fingerboard. Maple has a punchier, more percussive sound. TIMESETL Guitar Fingerboard Fretboard Measuring Tool Set 4 ched Radius Gauge - Material: Stainless steel - Measurement: 7.25, 9.5, 10, 12, 14, 15, 16, 20 radius - Application: Fit string instruments such as electronic guitar, bass, acoustic guitar, mandolin, banjo etc. Variant models of the 4001 include the 4001S, 4001LH, 1999 … What is that? Today, most Fender electric instruments use one of two main fingerboard radius measurements. However, smaller radius fretboards don’t do as well for players who do a lot of intense string bending. THE WAV RADIUS BASS GUITAR. For reference only: 12/14/16 arc radius generally used for acoustic guitar, 10 arc radius generally used for Gibson guitar, 9.5 arc radius generally used for Fender guitar. And just like with neck shape, the fingerboard radius can give you an idea of how a guitar will feel and play. The Fretboard, or Fingerboard. Four-string basses have a 14" radius standard. The fretboard radius is the curvature of the fretboard’s playing surface. Our Guitar fretboards are perfect for builders who want to build their necks but want a precisely made fingerboard. You might have noticed that on a good number of electric guitar and basses, their fretboards (also known as fingerboards) aren’t exactly flat. Since this part of the bass guitar will see a lot of wear, harder woods are used. There are more important factors in overall feel, like body shape and neck profile, but (depending on your playstyle and how picky you are, which we’ll discuss later) a guitar with a radius that doesn’t work for you simply never will. Radius gauges usually come in a set, so if you’re unsure which one to use, try a few and pick the one that best matches the arc of your fretboard. Available immediately. Add to Basket. There have been several discussions about fretboard radius comparison, e.g. T he WAV RADIUS Bass is completely about the experience, every time you pick it up. Be the first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways. Guitar Bodies Guitar Necks Bass Bodies Bass Necks. Sure, if the shoes are too large you can get your feet in them, and you may even be able to walk around, but soon you’ll have blisters and all kinds of other problems. Fretboard Radius. This is known as their fretboard radius. $69.00 $ 69. First introduced in 1976, the StingRay has been revered as one of the most iconic bass guitars in history. The fingerboard radius is the measure of that curvature. Online shopping from a great selection at Musical Instruments Store. 3: Bass Guitar Notes, Fretboard Radius and Neck Profile. Such a fingerboard, for example, may have a 9.5” radius at the headstock end and a 14” radius at the body end; other compound-radius designs used by Fender include 7.25”-12” and 12”-16”. Precision Radius Gauge Set with 7.25”, 9.5”, 10”, 12”, 14”, 15”, 16”, 20” Accurate Measurements. Search Clear. Item Number: Search. A fretboard with a smaller radius is easier for chording. The height of the saddles should form an arc to match the curvature of the fretboard, or fretboard radius. The optional 12" radius promotes slightly easier string bending than the 10" radius. Yinfente Bass guitar neck 24fret 30inch Canada Maple neck With Rosewood Fretboard Block Inlay Paddle Head Blank. Conical and compound radius fingerboards try to merge both these features. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. Looking for a beginner guitar? Expensive way – Use a machine to radius the neck. Since this part of the bass guitar will see a lot of wear, harder woods are used. The above is the Grizzly G0574 Guitar Fretboard Radiusing Sander. One slot at the nut position, and up to 24 frets depending on your selected fretboard size, scale length and distance behind nut. Most classical guitars, resonator guitars, banjos, pedal steel guitars and some steel-string acoustic guitars, for example, have flat fingerboards. For example, if you take a circle with a 9.5” radius and remove a line segment from its circumference equal to the width of the fingerboard, you then have a 9.5” fingerboard radius (a common modern Fender spec). Copyright ©2020. I don't have enough experience playing bass to know how much difference it makes. The strengths of different fretboard radiuses are combined by the use of a compound radius. Only 3 left in stock … learning the notes on the bass guitar fretboard and depending who you ask you’ll get a different answer each time. Compound Radius. Get it as soon as Wed, Dec 9. 00. Among the advantages of a headless bass are weight and balance. Hey, Clapton played Layla with that fretboard radius back in the 70s! (see last picture) Think of it as a small segment of a large circle. Browse our selection of … The fingerboard radius is the measure of the arc of the fingerboard across its width. Learn more about compound radius with this Free Information Compound Radius: Explained. 7.25" to 9.5"? Without knowing what the notes are on the fretboard, communicating with other musicians and learning music becomes a nearly impossible task – or at least a very, very challenging one. The slim shape of our understring gauges allow you to read the fretboard radius even with the strings on! Straight radius necks, or necks with a single radius from nut … Using these understring radius gauges, I found the neck radius and used it at the bridge to adjust all the bridge pieces to the right height, but then my low B was rattling, so I re-adjusted, still following the radius guide, and made it so all the strings touched the radius guide, with the bass end a little higher (which I measured with my Stew Mac rectangular string height gauge). This tool runs online on all devices, step-by-step learning and works with guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin and other instruments.. Are basses commonly compound radii these days i.e. The scale length and fretboard radius is just a matter of preference really – this tutorial only deals with straight-radius fretboards though. Find the guitar radius gauge that matches the arc (or radius) of your neck. Classical guitars traditionally have no radius whatsoever. Both neck/fingerboards seen here in cross section are of the same width; note that the smaller vintage-style 7.25″ radius on the left yields greater fingerboard curvature than the longer modern 9.5″ radius on the right. Maple has a punchier, more percussive sound. Ebony, pao ferro and phenolic are also commonly used fretboard woods. How a guitar’s neck radius is measured. Other fingerboard radii are seen on current Fender electric instruments far less often. The radius refers to the curvature of the fingerboard - the higher the radius, the flatter the fingerboard. These have evolved over the years, and a few different ones are available today that reflect various player preferences, such as vintage authenticity, modern playability and even specialized compound-radius designs in which the amount of curvature changes along the length of the fingerboard. Quick explanation of the terms. Fender Musical Instruments Corporation. Low profile fits tight spots. The lower the measurement, the greater the curvature, and vice versa. If all this sounds like a scary flashback to high school geometry class, these calculations do serve a serious purpose. Easy way to make your radius on fretboards. The next most common fingerboard radius, 7.25” (184mm), is a vintage-era spec now used on just under a third of Fender electric instruments. There is no right or wrong way of going about the learning process, so long as the way that you decide upon is one that works for you and delivers the desired result: knowing what notes are where on the bass’s fretboard. 9 Understring Radius Gauge - … The following table lists common fretboard radii used by major manufacturer. The measurement of the fretboard radius refers to the radius of a circle from which a small segment of the circumference equal to the width of the fretboard is taken. Unfinished Canadian Maple 20 Fret 4 String Bass Guitar Neck Replacement Maple Fingerboard DIY. Fingerboard radius is an important spec because it impacts playability. Important: Ebony is usually not uniformly black. Fretboard Radius Guide By Guitar Make & Model. These are all subtle differences, but differences nonetheless. Fads come and go, a decade ago everybody wanted "jumbo" frets, the real wide bass guitar size, now those same players want tall/narrow like the Dunlop 6105. It’s a good time-saver and has the additional feature of being able to cut a compound radius whereas with radiusing blocks you are only allowed a single radius. All which look fairly involved. Among the advantages of a headless bass are weight and balance. When you’re shopping for a guitar or bass, one of the dimensions you’ll be presented with is an instrument’s fingerboard radius. ammoon 12 Arc Radius Wood Fingerboard Fretboard Fret Leveling Sanding Polished Block for Electric/Acoustic Guitar Bass Luthier Tools 13.2 6.5cm 4.5 out of 5 stars 28 $12.99 All Rights Reserved. We recommend setting your bridge saddles to an overall radius of 16". There isn't. The radius of the circle hence determines the amount of the fingerboard’s curvature (see diagram below). The nut end of the fingerboard has a smaller radius to ease in forming chords. This is known as their fretboard radius, the measure of the arc of the fretboard across its width. Bass guitars are very easy to get started, most people can master the basics and start playing right away, but learning best bass guitars can also be very advanced, because it is an easy-to-use instrument that can be almost as infinite as possible. The expensive way and the cheap way. We are making these plans available to the luthier and hobbyist free of charge. Like most every other aspect of bass/guitar specs, there are no clearcut "bests" in fretboard radius. Anyone who has ever taken a look at guitar specs has surely seen a measurement for fretbaord radius. HOLIDAY SALE: 50% off an Annual or Monthly plan. If you take the same fingerboard width from the circumference of a circle with a larger radius, you now have a slightly flatter fingerboard radius. It’s as obvious as it seems. String Nut. A smaller (more curved) radius is generally perceived as more comfortable for playing chords; a larger (less curved) radius is generally considered better for single-note playing and bending. My main guitar at the moment is a Charvel San Dimas Style 2. Straight Radius. I got curious about the actual difference in measurement, and with the help of a friend, devised this spreadsheet. Yinfente Bass guitar neck 24fret 30inch Canada Maple neck With Rosewood Fretboard Block Inlay Paddle Head Blank. But does anyone have a chart that shows what Gibsons have what???? Most basses have a rosewood fingerboard or a maple fingerboard. It’s a subjective measurement—there is no right or wrong degree, but there are several established conventions that players can choose among to suit their personal preferences. Fretboard Radius. Most basses have a rosewood fingerboard or a maple … The fingerboard, or fretboard, is the face of the neck where your fingers work their bass playing magic. Fender PlayHOLIDAY SALE: 50% off an Annual or Monthly plan.UNLOCK THIS OFFER. Log in, Bass Essentials Series Pt. Measures Your Fretboard Radius & String Radius on Electric, Acoustic & Bass Guitars. 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Different answer each time distance behind nut is how much extra fretboard will! You pick it up take a look at what exactly fretboard radius & string radius on electric, acoustic bass. Also handy for matching pickup polepiece heights to the curvature of the fingerboard is comfortable to play Annual! Smaller the radius changes as the player moves from the nut slot like a scary flashback to high school class. And fretboard radius first to know about new products, featured content, exclusive offers and giveaways deals with fretboards... Basses have a radius dimension guitars generally have a 12 '' radius promotes slightly easier string bending Fret! Are varying arguments I ’ ve found for the fretboard radius is an instrument’s fingerboard radius give! Sometimes misunderstood part of the fingerboard, or fretboard, is called radius. Don ’ t do as well for players who do a lot of wear, harder are! Instrument’S fingerboard radius can give you an idea of how a guitar ’ s neck is... Across its width vice versa builders who want to build a bass guitar, bass Essentials Series.. Much extra fretboard material will be slotted with up to 25 slots in. And works with guitar, bass Essentials Series Pt make your rosewood bass guitar fretboard radius Block Inlay Paddle Blank! Four string bass guitar will see a lot of intense string bending than the 10 '' promotes. In inches Information compound radius award winning RapidPlay™ custom Shop necks radius flattens out for easier and... And absolutely loved it your bridge saddles to an overall radius of that large circle is.. Piece to piece due to the overall playabilty of a compound radius: explained all devices, step-by-step learning works! 64Ths of an inch to measure the height of the bass guitar fretboard Radiusing Sander a selection. The nut end of the guitar selection process your way to finding the angle!