9.5" vs 12.0" neck radius fingerboard

As most of you know, the 9.5" radius fingerboard has more of a curved surface as the flatter 12.0" radius fingerboard.

I own a EC spec Stratocaster with a 9.5" radius fingerboard.
I am use to it and it feels good.

I have played other strats, like the SRV spec strat, that has a 12.0" radius.
The 12.0" radius doesn't feel as easy to play, I guess because I am not use to the flatter fingerboard. I am sure the 12.0" flatter one would work better when using a slide, but I have talked to people that like the more curved 9.5" one, when using a slide.

I am interested in what people think the advantages and disadvantages of the 9.5" vs 12.0" :cool:

The flatter radius fingerboards are better for bending. With the more curved profile, the string will touch the frets when you do a bend near the body end of the neck. This is called "fretting out". Flatter fingerboards are not as comfortable to play, so you have to pick a compromise that you can live with.

Warmoth uses a compund radius on their finger boards to offer the best of both worlds. The radius is 10" at the nut, gradually changing to 12" (I think) at the other end.

Well, when playing one's guitar, most fretting is probably done at the neck. 'Nuff said. ;)

yeah, what I've read said that the lower radius (9.5" in this case) was better for playing chords and such. and the higher radius, flatter fingerboards are better for bending, playing solos, etc.

yes, they do make fretboards that start out more curved near the headstock, where most chords are made, and gradually flatten out as they go up the neck, where more solos are performed

here is a fingerboard that starts at 10" at the nut, and flattens out to 16" at the 24th fret.