Fretboard Radius

SprayTech · #1 September 17th, 2006

I tried doing a search here on fretboard radius , but didnt find an answer so I will ask my Question .

My Strat has a 9 & 1/2 " radius and have looked at buying a new Ibanez RG 121 or a new Peavey HP Special CT and these 2 guitars have a fret board radius of 17 " on the ibanez & 15" on the Peavey . ( Experts say these are the fastest fretboards to play )
I know a flatter radius helps with easier string bending , But my Question is :
Is it easier to reach the low E string with a short pinky finger on a flatter Radius ? As I find reaching the low E string on my strat ( 9 &1/2 " radius ) hard to get to as I can not arch my short little finger ( It kind of stays flat across the fret board ) to get to it and I end up muting the high E string with the base of my little finger area as it bulges when I bend the pinky .
I ask because none of the Music stores carry these guitars to try , will have to be purchased sight unseen

I just checked the action of my strat and the strings are almost 1/8 th inch off the frets . this leading to string buzz off my fingernails when playing , these other 2 guitars have the lowest action known . Will this also help on fretting the low E string with my pinky ? Or do I just have bad technique & need to pick up a different hobby ........ LOL

Cedric01 · #2 September 17th, 2006

I have the Peavey HP Special CT! You will not have any trouble reaching the low E string with your pinky.

SprayTech · #3 September 17th, 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cedric01

I have the Peavey HP Special CT! You will not have any trouble reaching the low E string with your pinky.

Thank you for your reply , I was concerned about the fatter bottom side of the neck ( built off of EVH Wolfgang Asymmetrical design ) feeling to fat in a smaller hand . But my thinking is having a flatter radius would be easier to fret instead of a more arched radius like my strat .

I think you may of helped me make up my mind on buying a peavy , now to find one in Purple

allthumbs · #4 September 17th, 2006

Zack Wildes Epi had the flattest radius I ever played. It was like someone split a baseball bat in half and made a neck out of it. I didn't care for it for the first 20 minutes, but surprisingly it grew on me. Not the kind of axe I would buy, but the neck surprised me.