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radius frets?

Posted by Ted Morse on March 10, 2016 at 1:54pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

I am finishing up on a build (4 string undercrown reso) and have a slotted neck.Can someone tell me, what are the advantages of radius frets vs flat frets and why?. Is one or the other better to use for playing slide?. I'm going to go with jumbo stainless frets to help lower the action.Come to think of it, I'm not sure that i have seen any CBG's with radius frets. Any feedback is appreciated...thanks... Two Chord Ted 

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Replies

  • the anonymous pick March 10, 2016 at 8:22pm

    for 3 and 4 stringers  ,,,...  it's an ashtray on a motorcycle .

    - and can actually  impair   slide work  . (if  one is  used to a flat 3 string surface  )  the   2  end strings   may  cause  you  more   slide  rattle , depending on  how   quick  you  can  compensate  your  technique. etc  etc  

    my opinion   anyway . 

     

    • Ted Morse > the anonymous pick March 11, 2016 at 12:30pm

      Lol  on the ashtray....Thanks pick! good info, I'm not much of a player yet, I do see that all the slide players are using flat fretted gittys and for good reasons.  Thanks

  • David McQueen March 10, 2016 at 6:32pm
    Ok, I am not an expert here. 1. People who play classical or say rock lead tend to like a flat fret board for fingering. 2. The other side, a Fender Telecaster at one time had a 9" fret board radius (really tight). This was the quentisential workman's rhythm guitar. Play bar chords all night without getting fatigued. A 9" radius helped. Just grab the guitar and the chord is there. Play all night. So that is both ends of the spectrum. What is the player going to play? I am finding that not too much radius is needed ... But i am liking having a radius. I do some with a 12" radius at the nut working it's way up through 16" radius to flat above the octave.
    • Ted Morse > David McQueen March 11, 2016 at 12:22pm

      Thanks David, good points, after hearing this feedback I think will stay with the flat frets.If i go with a radius Its just going to take more work filing the all thread nut and bridge string slots to keep a true radius end to end.

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