A more rounded fretboard makes playing barre chords much easier , at the expense of making bending more difficult. The higher action required requires more left hand effort to play, but in many instances is preferred by fingerstyle and slide players.
Why do guitar fretboards have a radius?
Fingerboard radius is an important spec because it impacts playability . ... 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.
Why are guitar fretboards curved?
As a general rule, a more curved fretboard tends to be a bit more comfortable for barring or chording than a flatter one . The idea is that the curvature of the board adheres a bit closer to the curvature of the fingers in the playing position, though the effect is going to be pretty unique to each player.
Why are guitar fretboards flat?
a flat fretboard is used mainly for those shredder type of guitar players and it could work well for jazz too... its flat so you can play scales a little faster and it is easier to tap . It works well for classical music too.
Why is a guitar curved?
A bit of curve generally makes it easier to fret the strings when playing chords and doing pull-offs and bends .... though this is quite variable, as some folks like a flatter fretboard than others. Classical guitars tend to have flat fretboards. Electrics tend to have more curve.
What fretboard radius is the best?
A rounder radius of 9.5 to 10 inches is popular for open position chords. A flatter radius of 12 to 16 inches is popular for guitar soloing and bending notes. A compound radius offers both, starting rounder in open position and flattening out as you move higher up the neck.
What is the most comfortable guitar to play?
The unbiased answer is that the Stratocaster is the most comfortable guitar to play.
What guitar neck is best for small hands?
Small hands: C or flat C shaped necks
Generally the shallower the profile the better e.g. C or flat C, provided it is in combination with a thin fretboard. One of the challenges of playing guitar with small hands is the ability to span frets.
What fret size is best?
Short frets like the 6230, 6150, and 6130 are good for people who really like to feel to fingerboard when they play chords. Whereas, jumbo or medium-jumbo frets feel smoother, provide extra sustain, and can let you bend without exerting as much force.
Are classical guitar fretboards flat?
While traditional classical guitars are built with a wide and flat fingerboard , Fusion guitars have a narrower slightly curved, or radiused, fingerboard similar to a steel-string or electric guitar. ...
Why do classical guitars have wider necks?
Acoustic guitars and electric guitars use steel strings, whereas classical guitars use nylon strings. ... The neck of the guitar is wider than usual, to allow the player’s fingers to press down a string without coming into contact with other strings during fast musical pieces .
Do classical guitars have a fretboard radius?
Classical guitars traditionally have no radius whatsoever . Martin acoustic guitars have had a 16′′ radius dating back to the 1930s.
What radius are Gibson guitars?
Gibson Electric and Acoustic Guitars run from 10′′ to 12′′ . Most Taylor Acoustic Guitars have a 15′′ radius.
Are fretboards curved?
Most all guitar fretboards have a convex curve to them , and the fretboard radius measures how severe of a curve your fingerboard has. A lot of guitars these days have a 9.5” fingerboard radius. ... A circle’s diameter is two times the radius: 9.5+9.5 = 19.
What is the radius of an acoustic guitar?
Acoustic guitars generally have a flatter fretboard, Martin and many other brands often have a 16 inch radius . Gibson also offers a J45 with a 12 inch radius. Do you play a lot of electric guitar and want to switch to an acoustic?
