COMPOUND RADIUS

BACK TO INDEX Originally conceived by the Warmoth brothers, compound radius fretboards embody in just one fretboard the "feel" of all vintage, normal and modern flat fingerboards. While old Fender necks are known as very comfortable for rhythm and chord playing due to their curved radius (7-1/4") it is almost impossible to keep a low action without having strings stopping during bending. Conversely, to achieve a lower action, many modern guitars feature a very flat 16" to even 20"radius fretboard, but the comfort factor is lost. The best of old and new is, as usual, a compromise. The compound radius fretboard usually starts with a 10" or 12" radius at nut, and ends with a 16" radius at last fret that allows very low action and no bending buzzes. This solution guarantees easy, comfortable chords and arpeggios in the first positions, moderate average radius in the middle positions for comfortable two hand techniques, and flat radius in the high positions for silky-smooth bends, up to 2-1/2 semi-tones.

HINTS AND TIPS Due to its geometrical structure, compound radius also offers the best relief for strings to vibrate properly. Due to the fact that, with constant radius, the fretboard width changes along its length but the radius under it remains the same, if we adjust a constant radiused fretboard for a perfect relief (slight up-bow) using the outer strings as a reference, this will cause the inner strings (A and D) to "sense" a back-bowed fretboard. This doesn't happen with compound radius, where change in the radius follows the change of the strings pattern (I'll spare the complicated math formula) thus delivering a better tone and less buzz on the fretboard. 2010 Galeazzo Frudua. All rights reserved

Share |
BACK TO INDEX