Vintage Fender Stratocaster 7.25" Radius - Will It Shred? Can you Bend? Watch and find out!
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 7 сен 2024
- In this video I show you that the vintage Fender Stratocaster 7.25" Radius isn't as bad as what people online will tell you. It's much better! With a proper set up big bends are still possible.
Don't believe everything you read online.
JOIN MY MAILING LIST
Tips, Tricks, Lessons and much more delivered right to your inbox
Chances to win products only offered through our email list!
www.lucascross...
PATREON - / lucascrossleyguitar
RUclips - / lucascrossleyguitar
FACEBOOK / lucascrossleyguitar
INSTAGRAM / lucascrossleyguitar
TWITTER - / lcrossleyguitar
Consider Supporting The Channel By Getting Your Merch - Here's the Link and THANK YOU! lucas-crossley-guitar.creator-spring.com/
David Gilmour, the master of bends, uses a 7.25" fretboard. Nuff said.
I'd give this ten thumbs up if I could :D
@Jon Oz wow, thanks for that bit of info. Interesting.
I hate crappy action!!!!!!
Yup, yup, yup....
That was going to be my comment before seeing yours 👍🏻
I’m prone to tendinitis and discovered not too long ago when I got my hands on a 65 Jaguar that I can play longer comfortably on 7.5 radius neck than a flatter one. I also discovered I like the slightly thicker neck and vintage profile. Don’t listen to internet experts, go try stuff and see what your hands like best
that radius it is indeed better if you have tendinitis
man, exactly this. helps my wrists also. And longer scale. more tension on strings make my hands stronger. I play differently.
This is truly the best advice . I spent 3500 on a Taylor that is hard to play with the flat radius..
Aha, exactly 👉🏻👍🏻. Thanks goodness, finally words of truth.
With low action, the fretting out mostly happens on the small E string (it could also on the large E string, but that is not normally bent). That string will choke on the frets if you bend too much because of that radius. You only bent the B string, which will not normally choke out because it rolls onto the top of the fret, nothing to choke against.
You also played with a lot of distortion, which helps with shredding.
Doesn't work as easily without distortion and low action on bends, mainly with the small E string.
Love the 7 1/4 neck. Never ever had any issues with bends. I have a Shecter with a 14”16” radius and I can play it fine, American Pro with 9.5 same thing, but it’s something about the natural feel of the 7.25 that’s such a joy to play.
Nice. Yeah I too have every radius out there and I love the 7.25 as well. Thanks for taking time to comment! Cheers
The curve is more natural for the hand, chords are far easier.
Yes C shape.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar my 62 has the 725 radius in Stratocaster. Plus my 63.pre CBS'S. But soft V shapes of 1957&58:V soft are chunkier & not for me.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar ❤️Not being wierd , but that statement sums up the art that we all make regardless of what drives us.
Your vibrato is killer.
Hi Griff! You're too kind my friend. Thank my you:). Merry Christmas!
I Read Yesterday that i can't bend or play clean with a 7.25 radius. Without it buzzing. That I shouldnt Play vintage frets for the same reason And a 7.25 with vintage frets is unplayable without acoustic like action. My question to myself was what did Buddy Guy, Clapton, Beck, Holly and all the great country and blues do with their guitars considering they did'nt have any other option than those specs. They played their guitars and made them sound great.
In my 50 plus years of playing I've discovered I mostly like a radius between 9" and 12", with frets close to medium jumbo, and a standard width fretboard. I never do more than a full step bend, and like the playing comfort that some fretboard radius gives. You played some good riffs on that 7.25 " radius and have opened my mind a bit. Thanks for that good demo!
Thank you Fred. Appreciate you taking the time to stop by. Cheers!
Wow mate, great video! You deserve more subs and views, this is the only video on YT where somebody is talking honestly about vintage 7,25" radius, everywhere i look people are always complaining about not being able to bend notes properly, that you can't play fast and so on. I've got Fender American vintage reissue strat and i don't have literally any problems whatsoever, i can play Gilmour licks with heavy bends easily, so many players played vintage radius for decades. Anyway, great and very educational video. Cheers!
Thank you Peter! I really appreciate your comments. I suspect that a lot of the people who say you can't bend or shred on these guitars have probably never played one. :). Cheers mate!
Every time I think I need a shred guitar I just watch an old Roy Buchanan youtube video to remind me its all in my head. Any minute spent reading and looking at guitars is time I should have spent playing the guitars I have. I love this video because its just another reminder.
Those split shaft tuners are my favourites. Super clean look and super fast restring job.
Totally agree. I love them too. Can’t believe they aren’t more common.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Neither do I. Usually people want locking tuners but for me locking tuners just add complexity and weight. Loosening and tightening that locking mechanism is just lost time. If you do dive bombs with a whammy bar, then locking tuners might have an advantage.
Hey Demokraatti I don’t mind locking tuners either but I think people misunderstand them sometimes. They just lock the string into the post so you don’t have to wind the string around the peg. Funny story, I bought an Ibanez Talman from a guy a couple of weeks ago. He didn’t know the tuners were locking because he had wound the string around the post several times. I chuckled at that. They aren’t like the locking nut you would find on a Floyd Rose. They does help with tuning stability because once tuned, the string is locked against the nut and the tuning keys are no longer used. They are a lot of fun. But not everyone is comfortable setting them up. All that aside I still like the split post style. Dead simple to use and you’re right those lockers do add weight. That would be a problem on a guitar that suffers from neck dive. Cheers!!
I have a YJM strat with a 9.25". I personally love a 16 but I hear alot of people stating their strats choke out. I've helped a few friends and it is usually a setup issue or a high fret. One buddy of mine adjusted his neck and said ever bend chokes. I took one look down his neck and it looked like a suspended bridge! He back bowed the neck to the point the center of the fret board was nearly touching the strings! I was like dude, don't wrench on guitars. Let me teach you. Other buddy his choked out after the 12 fret and I had found a high fret not pressed in all the way. Pressed it in and problem solved. Alot of ppl go for the file instantly on a high fret. Always make sure it's fully seated
Thanks for this honest demo. Really answered a lot of questions.
My Tele is 7.25 I didn’t realise when I bought it, I just lived how it felt. Does not fret out, beautiful to play. Before that I had an Ibanez Jem which is 15.75 feels so flat. Next was a PRS at 10 which felt much better but now that feels flat compared to the Tele. I’m about to buy a Strat, most are 9.5 but I’m going to search for a 7.25 they just feel so good.
Make a list of your top 10 favorite shred guitarist who bend , pick, and play legato, and list the radius fret boards they are using. I made a list. None of them have a fret board radius of less than 9.5",with most being 12" and up. Why? You cannot have super low, legato playing action, and bend on a 7.25" radius. I have several guitars with 7.25" and have tried lowering it to achieve the same action as on my 12-16" radius guitars. The 7.25" radius will fret out almost instantly with a bend. If you want freaky low action and know your not going to bend, use a 16-20" radius. i.e Allan Holdsworth . I love the feel of all my 7.25 guitars, but the action is higher to achieve the bends. Yes, you can shred and bend on a 7.25", but its a lot a harder on the wrist, arm and fingers to do so.
This is what everyone needs to read, its all about the setup, Also, the neck profile is huge in how it effects playing.
Great review, analysis, critical thinking, and demo!!! It's the accuracy of the neck and fretting that matters most! Mark Knopfler always sounded fantastic on his 7 1/4 Strat neck.
Absolutely!
Hey Lucas i bought the new fender AVii and It came in and i set it up it plays really nice except for the high e chokes out when you barley go past a full step bend at the 13th and 14th fret. And when i decked the trem and straightened the neck a little bit .008 relief from .010 (factory fender spec) the saddles don’t quite go high enough. And they’re just maxed out. All frets are level.
First video I’ve watched of yours and dig your channel, some great stuff on there. Superb playing! Subscribed
Thanks Jake! I really appreciate that. Cheers.
Radius is so overrated. They just all feel different, you get used to it and enjoy the different feels. I have 7.25's, 9.5 and 12. I also have small hands. People suggesting a certain size radius is just what they personally preffer. Me I love them all.
Radii only make a difference if you are self conscious about them. It's just an excuse from tecnically minded players who are out of touch with their souls.
@@richardnish6469 Wow! Your comment really hit me! I'm a newby to electrics & honestly have been obsessing over radius. My new Ibanez has a 12" but me & my short fingers seem to have a tough time with barre chords on it. Sure wish I could afford what the dude in this vid is pickin! OR should I be happy with my current 12 incher? See... Obsessing! 😂
Love the 7.25 radius on fenders , disappointing they make them with 12 sometimes like the kenny Wayne shepherd model which is meant to be based on his ‘61’ strat , so what’s the point ? It’s even in 3 different colours or colors (for those of you in the USA) nothing like his ‘61’ !! Feel ok now I’ve had my rant ! Good job on the vid
Thanks Andy! Feel free to come here and rant anytime you like:) You make some great points!!! Cheers!!!
Couldnt agree more, l usually dont chime in on these types of things but theres alot of poor info on the 7 1/4 radius necks, for me it comes down to comfort, l can literally play for days straight on my 7 1/4 strats without my fretting hand cramping at all verse 5 min on 12 radius before it hurts, to each his own but certainly nothing wrong with a vintage radius or 70s strats there awesome
Well said sir! Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts! Cheers!!!
Wow, I appreciate your post. I just realized I think I have felt the same, just never paid much attention to it before your comment. Thx!
YES, SIR!!! Happy to see someone that actually knows what is talking about.....
Thanks Javier! I'm learning all the time. It's a lifelong persuit for me. Thanks so much for the kind words. Cheers!
Awesome video - I was concerned about a tele with a 7.25 - but your video was really helpful. My strat is 9.5 so this will be a nice contrast.
Rock on!
I played mine since 1999 and the frets, especially in the middle of the board, have basically worn down to nothing.
There was a point where it just wasn't playable, that was probably 10 years ago.
Vintage frets are ace, but when its time to replace them, do so decisively and use evo gold. They play as well as you remember vintage frets, but they never wear out!
Good video. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the vintage radius. If set up correctly, it's a dream to play.
My first guitar was a '78 strat (still have it) and at that time I wasn't that savvy about strats or guitars in general. I only figured it out later.
I have around 30 guitars now, everything under the sun in radius, nut width and neck profiles.
Still love the vintage radius, with a medium girthy neck and a 1/58" nut width. '77, '78 strats have a super comfortable neck profile in my opinion.
For a flatter radius, i prefer a wider nut and a thinner neck.
Both are nice I think, but what I found is you will be insprired to play different things on each.
I actually find bending on a 7.25" gives you more control than on a flat radius, like if u wanna add a subtle vibrato on the top of the bend. It has this kinda organic feel I find hard to explain :)
Now i am planning on doing a '65 strat build with a 7.25-9.5" compound radius neck.
I needed this. There’s an MIJ Strat I have my eye on locally and the only thing that was giving me pause was the 7.25” board. I think I’m gonna go for it. Thank you 🙏
MIJ stuff is so good. I hope you wind up loving it! Cheers
Hey bro, was it good? Did you buy it?
@@moises-zepeda6350 yes, and it was the one of the best gear choices I’ve ever made. The radius is truly a non-issue, and if anything is insanely comfortable. I -like many people - was overthinking it before.
Yay! Awesome dude. Enjoy the new axe!!
Thanks man! I've just bought a 50s Classic Strat and the radius/bending "issue" was one I'd heard while researching online (after the fact...) so this video really helped put my mind at rest
How do you like that classic 50's Strat? What color did you get? Cheers!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Oh my dude... as my first "real" Strat I couldn't be happier! Absolutely rock solid, not a blemish on her and after a few adjustments (restrung with 10s rather than the stock 9s so needed a few tweaks) she's absolutely singing :D The resonance you feel through the body is like nothing else I've ever played and the vintage pickups have an unexpectedly wide range of tones to muck about with.
And that NECK... mmmMMMMM!
I opted for Fiesta Red in the end but honestly I'd have taken her in any colour given how well she plays.
Thanks again for putting my mind at rest too. You really helped with the whole bedding in process :D
That's awesome dude. Couldnt be happier for ya. Cheers mate!
A refreshing no BS video. Thanks. I learned a few things.
Thanks Steve! I appreciate the comment too thanks buddy!!
I have the classic player 50's strat that has a 7-1/4" radius. I will say it is harder to solo than a flatter radius, dont let anyone tell you different. That said, after many many different setups and string gauges, I have it set up really nice, but it is something you have to get used to, and you really do notice the difference when switching to another guitar with a flatter radius. Still in two mind whether to swap the neck out for a flatter neck.
They also say you can't bend ;) Cheers JJ.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Its bends just as well as a Les Paul in my opinion. With the action set at around 2.5mm give or take a little. Setting the truss rod was the biggest pain as you have the take the neck off each time. But the end result was a sweet ass strat :)
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Only if you never learned how, LOL. Seriously if the neck is straight, properly adjusted, frets in good shape, action adjusted, decent strings, it should play just fine or better. What string gauge do you prefer for a 7 1/4 neck radius?
Hey Dr. J! My frets aren't that big do I am using light strings on this guitar. It's quite comfortable for me. I use Elixirs. If I have bigger frets I'd go a little heavier. I used to use 13's on my 9.5 radius highway one but that was back when I played a lot of accoustic as well. I was in much better playing shape in those days lol.
Really appreciate the video and your personal experience and explanation on the radius. I just purchased a 75' hardtail. What wonderful, underrated guitars!
Thanks Shaun. Glad your happy with yours. I love mine too! Cheers.
Well, Richie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn all did it.
So did some guy named Roy Clark.
all those guys have had numerous refrets which resuit in a flatter radius
Yngwie is fond of setting up his guitars with rather high action, which does make a difference.
His signature model has a 9.5" radius, and his vintage Strata are 7.25".
Needed to see this! I just ordered a 7.25 and I was a bit nervous!
Nice! What did you get?
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar I ordered a limited edition Fender Road worn strat in Daphne Blue. It MX made but comes with USA custom shop pickups. I've asked the guys at the store to lower the action a bit before they ship it to me just in case it's coming too high from the factory.. www.andertons.co.uk/brands/fender/road-worn-guitars/fender-road-worn-60s-strat-pf-in-daphne-blue-with-american-vintage-59-pickups
I just dropped a PILE of money on a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt '61 relic Strat, and realized AFTER they shipped it that it has a 7.25" radius. Somehow I had thought it was 9.5". So I suddenly got really concerned when I learned that it was 7.25". A quick Google search led me to this video, which was very reassuring. Now I am waiting with bated breath for the guitar to get here - by far my most expensive guitar purchase ever, by a factor of almost 3x. It's a sunburst hardtail with a Brazilian board. Can't wait to see it in person. I saw in one of the comments that David Gilmour played a 7.25", so really, that was all I needed to hear! :-)
Watch Matt Schofield play his 63’. It’s a hard tail with a Brazilian board as well. He does like his action higher than I do for sure. There are some videos of him on my channel with that guitar I think. I Hope you enjoy the new axe!
updates?
@@wavetoearf Works fine! The guitar is awesome. BUT, I scored an all original actual '64 Strat, so at this point, I really should just sell all my other Strats. Any interest in buying the Masterbuilt ''61 ? Or shell pink '59? Or fiesta red '60 NOS?
I have a 7 1/4, and other guitars with flatter boards, I was always told the 7 1/4 was good for chords, that's what the roll of the electric guitar was, as time passed the roll of the electric guitar evolved, I think I even have one less fret on the 7 1/4 , it's not a big deal, in my humble opinion, it comes down to feel
Really glad I came across your vid. Been debating a neck replacement with a 7.25 radius but was concerned about bend choking. I now have absolute confidence that the 7.25 with be just fine. Many thanks Lucas. Big thumbs up from Canada. Cheers
Hey Taylor. Thanks for the comment. Be advised my guitar is set up with a Plek so the fretwork and set up is top notch. If you have any high or low frets you could have an issue. Overall though the 7.25 is a lot more playable than it gets credit for. Have a look at the PRS Silver Sky John Mayer uses. Same radius. I think he bends just fine! Cheers eh!
You have to take your time and Set it up propperly, 👉🏻just like any other Neck. Well wishings and all the best furthermore 👍🏻.
Yes, your action is pretty low for 7.25 but... I'd like to see that bend on low E, say at E or D. Then I'd be impressed.
The bend you did at 2 steps on B(D) is still doable if the neck relief is minimal and the fretwork is perfect.
There is no question traditional Strats can be played on fast but it's harder to get there. The noun 'playability' is real and it is directly proportional to fretboard radius. That's just mho.
Ynqwie Malmsteen. And your point is instantly debunked.
7.25 for me all the way. It just feels "right." As to the people who seem to think you can't bend very well on a 7.25, I simply point them to David Gilmour.
Well said!!
Right on brother!
@@paigehawkins1945 or Eric Clapton, he spent almost two decades playing Blackie and Brownie and both had vintage radius. 😎 well said mate!
Pro Gamer 14 😂👍🏼
I have a 7.25 and have had it professionally setup multiple times. The action is always way too high and it chokes out on the fifteenth fret on the high e string terribly. I dont know what to do. Im about to swap the neck out it makes me hate the guitar.
I prefer smaller radius necks myself. One thing that really baffles me though is why bass necks are made so flat. You don't have the need to do any crazy bends on a bass, and if you look at the origins, upright basses have around a 3.5" radius.
It's mostly to allow lower action. Round radius doesn't effect only bending. It also means you can't get the strings as low as on a flat neck.
Thanks for sharing this. I bought a 7.25 Strat not realizing it was a 7.25 radius and i found i much prefer it over most of my 9.5 radius. If you are on the fence, try one or buy one. They are awesome
Nice!
I’ve never played any smaller than a 9.5 radius. I’m awaiting the arrival of a new Fender Vintera series Mustang and I’m dreading that I might not like it. I also recently purchased the Squier Classic Vibe version and I love it. Hence why I blindly bought the Fender.
@@richardmartinez1628 what did you think? I’m thinking of getting one
@@richardmartinez1628 updates?
Great job sir..........needed this as I am looking at a Fender with 12 inch radius...have 9 1/2 now.....thanks
If the frets are level all the way across the fretboard, you shouldn't fret out, although if the frets are slightly skew, a tighter radius would be less forgiving than a flatter one for bends. Like with most things, it's the quality of the fret-job that makes the difference. I agree that ss frets are worth it. I dent my frets very quickly if they're nickel. I've replaced the first 2 on my acoustic with ss and contrary to rumours, I couldn't hear any difference in tone between the stainless and the nickel frets. They didn't damage my tools, but the sharp edges took longer to file down and it was harder to avoid removing wood from the sides of the neck as I sanded them, even though I had a specialized file.
Right on, right on, right on...
Yeah man long as the instrument is set for how u like it to b!!! It will wrk Wonderfull! I see that all the time 7:25 radius being a choker to bend !!! Not true i have a strat 73 antiqua w 7:25 nd i adjusted the bridge according to the radius so it will fallow the shape nd curve of the neck 🤙🏼 nice vid dude
I find that is you have your action set a little high to use the trem, with .10 gauge strings, then it is harder to do bends higher up the neck on a 7.25. I could never give it up though because I use my thumb to fret rhythm parts, and 7.25 is great for this. I've been thinking about a compound 7.25-9.5.
I like the idea of a compound radius like that too. It makes a lot of sense.
Great video and a topic that has captured my interest over the last 5 years or so. Thank you.
My first guitar back in 1982 was a 1978 Fender Stratocaster with the 7.25" radius. It's just the most comfortable for me. I can do the Gibson 1990s and up Les Pauls & SG's (I actually read that Gibson 12" radius is more like 10"). I find Schecter necks and a lot of the wider necks simply unplayable, but Im more of a jammer than a technical player like John Petrucci and 17" radius. I don't get it but God bless 'em.
Wish fender would make more 60s style strats with the Nitro cellulose finish and the 7.25 radius...not everyone likes to shred
I agree. There's always the PRS Silver Sky. I have spent time with a few of those. I personally thought they were amazing guitars. Have you tried one? Of course no nitro:( I have sprayed nitro before and its awful to work with. I kinda suck at it though.
Nitro helps the guitar breathe ages better ...it’s why I prefer it
There's plenty of new vintage radius fenders with nitro... 62 ri is a decent price for those things
DVo I know now I found one....finally
Thanks to the fender custom shop
Excelente report. Thank you very much.
Thank you
Gilmour never seemed bothered 😂. Have an awesome day mate!
Thanks!! You too:)
I’ve heard violins have a 6” radius I wonder if it’s possible for a builder to do a compound radius of that to start and ending completely flat is there a limit to the possible range or even frets like extra jumbo at the beginning and narrower at the end since I never liked big frets because there’s less space between them which is more noticeable playing higher notes
i got an ibanez blazer from '81... irc 7,5" radius. shreds better then anything else i ever played. in fact,
i also have an SG with a rather flat radius (12" i think) is does not "shred" as well. i never found a guitar with flat radius good for shredding. i don't know who spread the myth.
also gave the ibanez to a lot of my guitar playing friends, they all confirm its shredability-
weird myths.... maybe from people that can not "shred" for people that can not "shred".... (not trying to be arrogant here ;)
I think you hit upon something, they're posers!
neck is no matter, habbit and your skill isnthe real deal
I just bought a MIM Telecaster Custom with 7.25 radius. It has the lowest action (very low) of my guitars and it doesn't choke out. It's really comfortable, great playing guitar. I also have a 17 degree radius HM Strat so I was shocked that I really like this. So now I want a 7.25 strat.
They are super comfortable. Glad your digg'n that tele! Cheers
What is the measurement of your action from the top of the fret and the bottom of the high e string at the 12th fret?
I don’t understand why people are suddenly saying you can’t bend on vintage radius 7.25 radius. I had a les Paul standard and a strat and I got rid of them both and only use a 7.25 radius broadcaster.. love it
They are super comfy.
I've been playing 7.25 for over 10 years now an I love it and I don't ever "fret out!" Yes I play a variety of genres, including some "Metal Shredding." Don't believe me? As Jimi Hendrix!
You nailed it! Happy shredding!
I just picked up a 79 Strat with a 7.25 radius and it's choking out when I bend at the higher frets. My go to guitar tech recommends a re-radius and a refret. Would you recommend having it plekked before trying that? I like crazy low action like I have on my Les Paul. Great video, Thanks!
Hey, congrats on the new old axe. On mine the high E will fret out if I bend more than one step up when I’m at the 15th fret. My action is quite low though. A plek is not inexpensive. So I think you would be best to ask them how low they think they can get the action with a plek. You’d have to decide from there.
You will likely never get the action as low as the 12” radius Gibson. They are different animals.
I love mine though. Unfortunately Gibsons don’t sound like Strats so as much as I love how well a Gibson plays, I always come back to the Strat.
Best of luck in your decision.
Cheers.
Good stuff man! You can shred too! I recently found something i personally did not like about this new guitar i just purchased. It kinda blows my mind too because ive been playing for years now and have played alot of guitars over the years although i normally stick to strat types and les paul types mainly. My new guitar came with 14" radius fret board and extra jumbo frets. I really didn't think it would be an issue. If anything i thought a benefit. Was sadly mistaken! It felt way to large in my hands and the frets are too tall and so the notes go sharp when pressed to hard. I was originally gonna go with a 12" fretboard like on the fender classic player 60's but didnt. That was really as modern shred flat as i wanted to go. Everything else about it is super sweet aged hardwear, ebony fretboard, 60's style strat pu's, alder body. Not gonna name, names though. I'm sticking to anything between 7.25" & 12 from now on and no frets over jumbo at most. Flatter freboard= large in hands, larger frets equals large in hands. Both these things = to damn large for my taste! Lol Hope this helps somebody. Rock on!!
I feel the same way. In fact, I had a neck made with a 14" radius and big frets. I just sold it. :)
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Thanks for your reply man! I really like your content and your a great guitar player! Happy to hear somebody else understands what im going through right now! It seems easy to lie to ourselves sometimes with instruments. In my case i'm like here i finally have this beautiful strat i have wanted for a while now, but its not quite what i hoped it would be. Its still a beautiful guitar but its just not right for me. I guess i have to face that facts sell it and move on. I guess atleast now i'm really starting to understand whats truely right for me and what is not. For now i will just play my fav les paul until i get another strat im happy with. Anything between 7.25"-12" max is fair game strat wise for me at this point. I will never go over 12" again. Originally i was going to buy a fender classic player 60's strat and that had a 12" radius. But i also noticed the new fender player series strats have dropped their fret radius back down to 9.5". I never had a problem with 7.25" either. Medium jumbos are my preferred fret size aswell. I guess i thought 14" might be closer to playing on an ibanez. But in the strat world its different. Maybe its the wizard necks on those ibanez not sure but they are sweet!! Thanks man! Sorry for the book size response lol..Rock on!!
Any guitar can shred if the fret levelling is spot on👌
You are absolutely right Calib!
I use 7.25 necks with vintage frets. But I scallop from the 5th fret up. I leave the first four Frets alone. It helps with the open chords not squeezing the notes Sharp.
Thanks for the video. I bought the Tele… 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Sweet! Congrats on the new axe!!
I am with you on this. I am guilty of reading and watching youtube videos and of course learning a lot but stumbling into this area of 7.5 radius bad. About ten years ago I needed a new neck for my very nice fender Japanese made strat, I was gigging and in working bands, so I jumped on the warmoth site went through the order process and received a neck that looked nice and was similar to the neck on the guitar. I put it on and was literally heartbroken because it felt extrememly bad. I took it off and put it in the closet. Years later, I revisited the neck to see what I could do with it and after searching on youtube I realized it was actually a compound radius and being used to 7.5 I could not play the thing at all without a lot of time invested to retrain my brain so to speak. Today I think it is kind of funny to be watching the videos and learning more about this type of neck and how it seems to solve a problem - especially (supposedly)for those of us that use strictly 7.5 radius necks, as we can't bend without fretting out.....Reailly?!?I read a comment somewhere that this was/is a sales gimmick for warmoth, I do believe that is a big part of this push toward compound radius necks. I am not against compound radius necks for sure but I am kind of taken back at those who say there is a "problem" that needs to be addressed because of the 7.5 radius, that is just not the case at all. It is clearly another rumor or myth to add to the large bucket of rumors and myths surrounding every aspect of guitar technology.
Hey Lucas,
my guitar action height on my E-Guitars are all in the range from 1,20 mm to 1,50 mm.
Only one guitar (my Fender Vintera 50s Strat) with an 7,25 radius has an action hight with 2,00 mm. If I lower that action hight there is no chance for me to bend a whole tone (ore higher). But honestly I don't want an action height with 2,00 mm ore beyond. And that's the reason, why I don't really like the 7,25 mm vintage radius. For me I prever fretboards with an radius from 12 to 16 inch.
My vintage Fender hast an incredible sond. Therefore I have not sell it so far.
Greetings,
Matthias
Hey man you speak the truth about the 7.25 radius. I have an 89 Strat + that had a maple neck with the Wilkinson roller nut. Terrible combination as far as I am concerned. The nut didn't allow for heavier string gauges and the neck was like wrestling a grisly bear! I had an old parts strat with an original 69 neck with 7.25 radius that I put on there and walla!! This guitar is now the finest playing strat of all the strats I play. I have gotten in to disagreements with fellow Geektar nerds about this but for me its easier to play than all my strats with standard 9.5 radius with 22 frets.
Glad to hear that man. Yeah they are under rated I think.
Yo Lucas, my action is as low as yours. Was thinking of raising it just a little but I have no issues so far playing it.
Hey Fendushi. I know there are specific measurements recommended by the manufacturer but really those are just a starting point. Action and neck relief are pretty personal. Some guys I know like the action quite high. They feel they get better tone and they like having to fight the guitar a little. To each their own I say.
Very interesting, thanks! I just started two months ago and chose a guitar with a very flat radius (17'') & very thin neck as flatter radius (not necessarily as flat) and thinner neck are usually recommended for what I wanna learn to play but I def gotta try different ones when I'll get chance! I kinda chose almost purely based on gathered info as I'm a lefty and the local shop has precisely one left-handed guitar, so. :D
Aww man not enough options for ya. There’s a surprising number of amazing players who are lefty’s but play right. Check out Nick Johnston. Cheers!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar I'm sure there are. But I've also heard about those who got stuck on a certain level and couldn't get pass that until they switched - and then it clicked.
And I've tested myself, by accident, some years back. By playing a game with a controller - the layout is, of course, made with the right-handed people in mind. And I found out there's a limit when it comes to my right hand. Sure you can train it but there might be an invisible wall stopping you from becoming the best playing you. I don't wanna risk that.
There's a reason why not-symmetrical things are designed to accommodate most people = right-handed ones. I believe that applies to guitar as well.
There's less options for sure but AFAIK there are much more than 50+ ago. It just might be that I will have to accept I don't have that much options when it comes to colours etc. or might be forced to pay more / wait longer to find what I want / order overseas etc.
But yes, it's quite annoying sometimes. I looked at one brand I'm interested in and they have like 200 guitars in literally every colour and finish you could imagine and 3 left-handed guitars, of which one is 7-string, all are boring matte black...
I gotta hope when they release new ones, they'll remember to put something not-black for lefties too. I know a lefty with one of their guitars and it's not black (dark blue), so I guess ATM their all non-black lefties are just simply sold out... Or at least I hope so. :D
Thanks a LOT man for publishing this video..!!..I'm an absolute admirer of a 7, 25 inches vintage radius and YOU HAVE MY 100 % SUPPORT for this idea and attitude..(.if this anything means to you..)..Besides that, my personal opinion is that everything but 7,25 inch radius neck looks JUST UGLY...!!!...Have a good time man...!!!..p.s. I like your vibrato as well...I do the same thing....only 10 % of a world guitar players have a right vibrato...
Hey Goran! Tha I you so much for your kind words and for taking time to post them. I feel that the vintage radius gets a bit of a bad rap usually from people who have no experience with it. I do appreciate the comments and the support. Cheers mate!!!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Hey Lucas, the pleasure is all mine... and it might be a very interesting having a small debate about 7,25 inches radius, since Fenders market managers say this is a NORMAL neck radius, and Mr. Leo knows very well why he invented it that way...but, many people found a reason to complain about comfort to play and functionality on vintage radius.. ..This is very strange to me...Fender vintage 7,25 is just PERFECT...;)
Have you measured the radius? usually when guitars are refreted and have fingerboard leveled they go up in radius because luthiers usually sand more in the middle and try to avoid edges. This is how m,ost famous guitar players moved to 9.5-12 (EC, YM, EJ, ...) Chances are that's a 9-10" being that old.
I have radius gauges and I have measured the radius. This is the first refret on this guitar as there were no signs of it being done before. There’s a thick finish on the neck and they would had to sand through that. You would also probably see some signs of where they cut along the old frets as well. Good question though.
Thank you for posting this. It helps a lot.
You’re welcome Alex! Thanks for watching. Cheers!!
That's great to know. I have a 62 mij with the stock frets I don't know exactly how to set the action low without the bends on 15th to 17th fret high e string choking. I've set the action to a point where you can only do a full bend on those frets just right at the edge before it chokes and I wanna be able to do more than just a full bend on those areas.
did you set up the action according to your radius? or a the saddles all the same height?
maybe try setting the low E string the lowest, the next 2 or 3 strings gradually getting highter and then the highes two frets relativly highter. so that that the low e is low, the B and E are very high and the strings in between move gradually higher.
sorry i dont know how to bring this across without a picture :D
gave me some good results non the less. it is n ot what people recommend, but it is perfect imho
I set the high E and Low E as low as I can get them without fretting out or buzzing. I slide a radius guage u der the strings and the raise the remaining strings to the guage so yes the bridge radius should match. At least for me. Cheers.
I grew up on a Fender Mustang 1965 was my all time fav.I did get a 67 Jaguar but it never stayed in tune.
Today I favor the PRS acoustic fat neck plays so easy with 72 yr old hands plus action is solid and dependable.
So very disappointed with Taylor 624ce.
Will be selling that mint bad toy.
Thanks for your comment Dan. Those Taylor’s are pretty nice guitars. Too bad it doesn’t fit your hand well.
Of course if you had it Plek'd that's going to make a big difference, but most people who buy off the shelf won't have that benefit. Most average guitars aren't even set up, frets aren't level, necks aren't straight, etc...a straight neck & a good set up are crucial with any radius. On a 7.25" neck, a 10" radius on the saddles usually does the trick for bends providing the frets are leveled. Nice Strat btw.
Great observation Cy. Thanks for your comment. I find trying guitars in the store a frustrating experience because as you said many need a set up. Especially if they have sat for a while.
Alternate picking and tapping are actually easier with a 7.5 inch fretboard and vintage style frets. Also, sliding from one position to the next is easier and smoother. I can play anything from Van Halen to Jazz and blues on my classic series 60’s Stratocaster and It’s my number one guitar and blows all my other guitars away even my les paul.To really unleash its potential tune down to E flat and put a mini humbucker in the bridge position and then it will scream. I recommend the lil screamin demon pickup.
I find it hard to play chords on a flatter fretboard.
It can be more difficult for sure. Ever notice that classical guitars are basically flat? Not a lot of cowboy chords played on those instruments.
You can shred on any fingerboard but if I use a 25.5 inch scale length then my fingers say fuck that and that is mainly due to the extremely light touch I have (not enough strength I guess). So I tend to go with a 24.75 scale length but I will say bends are more comfortable on a 12 inch radius.
I can bend the shit out of a note (I use 9-42 strings) on any fingerboard so radius is really only addressing how comfortable the bend is going to be. David Gilmour bends the shit out of a string and uses 10's, that is crazy.
Personally I use a 12 inch radius, with a 24 3/4 scale length and 9's with a super low action, as low as I can get without buzz (the trick is putting a fall away on the last few frets).
Being someone who doesn't use a vintage radius I can say you are right, radius can make it more comfortable if you have bitch hands like me but it is completely doable on a vintage radius. Good video.
Thanks!!
I found your little channel after doing a search for 7.25 fretboards because I was curious what it was like playing something even more curved than my Mex Strat. I was messing around on my Strat for a couple hours and then got out my Gretsch which is 12" and it just felt weird at first switching. Nothing more difficult or easier about it, just different. I was wondering what it would be like to go the other way down in radius. Thanks man, subbed to your channel! BTW you're and excellent player.
Thanks man. You made my day! Personally I'm starting to prefer the 7.25. The key seems to be a real good set up though. My strat has a few advantages. The Plek really helps and I have stainless steel frets so I dont have to worry about developing low spots. The final advantage is having the micro tilt adjustment. I dont have to shim the neck. I think theres too much fuss made about fretboard radius and the inability to play on a a 7.25. Check out John Mayers PRS Silver Sky. Killer guitar with a 7.25. I just spent some time with one recently and loved it. Theres a great interview that Lee Anderton does with Paul and he just laughs when asked about the 7.25 versus a flatter radius. Thanks for the sub. Much appreciated!!
I like the old Strat and the fact that it's a hardtail too! I'm building a Strat now...semi hollow, and considering that same color. Is that a stock Fender color? I learned on a guitar with the older more round radius. I'm finding it difficult when I play a flatter fret board. They say It's easier, but it doesn't feel as comfortable to me. I guess it's just what your used to using. Thanks for the video!👍😎🎸🎶
Hello my friend! Yes sir that is a stock color. Its blonde. Ash is more work to finish than Adler or mahogany because you have to fill the grain first. If you use nitro it's quite a process. That stuff is highly toxic too so you need a great mask and lots of patience. Many of the guitars from that era were finished in clear to let the grain be seen. I couldn't tell what color the guitar was originally. That was the color I wanted to use because I wanted to bring the guitar to its original state as best I could. After a little research I found that those strats were either black, blonde or clear. Hope your strat turns out great. Would love to see it. Cheers.
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar thanks for all the info! I'm thinking that color with possibly a tortoise shell pickgaurd. That will have to be custom made. Don't think I could find one for a Strat with 2 "f" sound holes. That's what makes it fun, though!👍😎🎸🎶
That would look soooooo good!!!
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar I hope!☺
Yeah i have a fender road worn 60s strat. 7.25 radius fingerboard n ive never had that issue with it i always bend like crazy.
Awesome!
Those huge frets really help IMHO. Mine is also super easy to play; dead straight, light strings, low action. But it still has the vintage frets and huge bends aren't much fun. A full step is fine but not two like what you are doing here. There's just not enough fret to push in to.
I want the Isbell tele....so thanks. I think it will be fine.
Excellent video! I'd be very interested to see a low action setup video for this guitar. I just bought a Vintera 50s Strat with a 7.25" radius.
So what are your thoughts so far on the 7.25? Im still not shure if that or 9.5 will do for me.
tryptaminesandotherdeathexperiments I recommend trying them out at a local shop. I found that I absolutely love it
@Dale CooperAgree, i bought a 62 reissue with 7.25 neck while my DN-500 is a12. Gotta say got occasional fretbuzz and bending is not that easy but the sound and feels make up for it.
@Dale Cooper how does dat work? I would seriously consider to make this to a 9.5 for example!
danke schoen, i am getting a vintage spec fender
7.25 for me, no problem!
Thank you Lucas
You’re welcome Dan!
However - my vintage Ibanez RS505 is 7.25 radius - but the super small and short frets don't work as well as the jumbo-ish frets on that strat. So, there ARE guitars with 7.25 that simply do not bend well. A refret is in it's future.
Thanks. Fender just released their new Vintage line again. The fiesta red Strat looks awesome. 7.25” radius. Haven’t played one yet.
i feel like so much of what people say about guitars online is by hacks who can't play, leading to "you can't bend on a 7.25 radius!" well, maybe YOU can't 😅
So this is a typical 7.25" radius, with the exception of a plek'd fingerboard and stainless fret set up very nice. The o'l guitars didn't come like that and they fret out, I think its the set up here that has made the difference my opinion. I think its the mods here that made the difference! nonetheless a nice guitar.
David Gilmour bends like crazy and he has a 7.25 radius
On a strat that sold for 3.3 million dollars no less!
Uli Jon Roth used a 70s strat for a long time...I will say the newer necks on strats feel nice.
You have just cost me $1250!!! Lol... I now feel OK buying a tele 52 from Japan sight unseen... :) Great video, big thank you, and it's true, there is a lot of doo doo out their in cyberspace!
Oh sweet! New guitar day is the best day ever! I hope you love it. Cheers!!
Thanks a very helpful demo 👍
You’re welcome!
@LucasCrossleyGuitar you read lots of people saying a vintage neck no good for bending they are talking rubbish.
No shortage of rubbish on the internet that’s for sure ;)
I knew this was bs my first board was 7.25 and I never had a problem
Awesome video man, how come nobody follows you on Patreon? :o Your videos are better than 90% of other ones here on RUclips.
Thank you Gary. I appreciate that comment very much !! As to why well I’m not sure but there’s lots of good guys on YT. I don’t work at it as much as I’d like to. Day job and kiddos and all. Thanks again mate!!
What do you think of the latest 70th anniversary fender broadcaster?
9,5 is the right for me but I think a compound 7,25-12 is great too
Interest video. I had a experience with my old strat 9.5 radius and compare to my Jackson compound 12-16. My strat has a little frets in the ending of life. So I decided to change the strings as lower action that I could. The result was funny, because it was so easy to play fast links and tappings, however sometimes bends slip out. Anyway, the impression was a more flat feeling, because the strings stayed more close to fretboard. My jackson has jumbo frets, but the think that really makes diference, is the fact that 1st have a kind of D shape and it’s change along to a little more thinner D. So, in my conclusion is.. the major point for a “fast neck”, is the shape and how the strings as close to fret or fretboard.
Ok, after watching several people's videos trying to explain why a curved fretboard will not allow string bending as much as flatter fretboard... Finally, proof they are wrong.
Not one of them bent their strings, showed their stuff.
I think it all has to do with how well the neck relief is set. If it's setup right, it will do bends just fine...Maybe there's less room for error on necks with a smaller radius?
Okay, I'll bite. How do you set up your guitar to keep it in tune with such heavy bending? Pencil graphite in the nut slots? Some sort of special wrap to lock them at the tuning peg?
Hi musicguy! I thought no one would ever ask ;). I'll do a quick video for you to show you. Most of it has to do with how you restring and making sure there are no burrs on the saddles and string trees. Thanks for taking the time to watch the video and comment. I appreciate that! I'll do the video in the next few days for you.
Lucas Crossley- Any chance you could also comment on your action measurements for neck relief and string height?
@@sparknado I can't recall but the action is quite low. I don't like much neck relief because my goal is the lowest action I can get so I generally keep my neck pretty flat. If I get time I can try to measure but to be honest I only use Fenders specs as a starting point. This Strat has stainless steel frets and a plek set up.
OK and how about 7.25 and string height adjustment? I like my strings set as low as possible (without buzzing, of course). Is it possible?
It's a difference of .4mm on either the bass or treble side. Truss rod and intonation should be done first. Fender Recommends the following AS A STARTING POINT - If you really smash the guitar you might need your strings higher than someone with a lighter touch. String gauge can affect this as well.
Neck Radius String Height Bass Side Treble Side
7.25"
5/64" (2 mm)
4/64" (1.6 mm)
9.5" to 12"
4/64" (1.6 mm)
4/64" (1.6 mm)
15" to 17"
4/64" (1.6 mm)
3/64" (1.2 mm)
Measure at the 17th fret
@@LucasCrossleyGuitar Thanks
@@OfficialRaddeck NP. Hope it works out good for you. Cheers!
You can have the frets leveled to change the radius as well.
Yeah, not a fan of that though. I had it it done on one strat that had lots of meat left on the frets and if found I could feel the difference between the board and the frets. Board was 9.5 and frets were 12. Guy did a really good job. Nice and level and it does play really well but I don’t think I would mismatch them again.
I greatly appreciated this video bro. It's good to know it is possible. I lowered the action in my vintera jazz master and all I got was fret buzz and chokes on the bends. Had to raise back up to remove the buzz. What do you think may have caused this? Thanks again bro
There’s quite a few factors that go into a good set up. Neck relief, the quality of the fretwork is huge. If you get those things as good as possible you’ll have your best chances of getting the action lower. Regardless, there are limits and a flatter radius will result in a lower action.
Cool vid man you're a joy to listen to, I'm over here trying to decide between a Modern Player Series Strat or the Albert Hammond Jr
Thank you Sir! It’s good to have to make such decisions :). Let us know what you decide to get.
I shattered my left shoulder and arm and healing up I have to have at least a medium C neck and a 9.5 radius to play at all. Any neck thinner or fretboard flatter hits a nerve in the web of my thumb that immediately shuts off the nerves in my hand and it goes numb and dead. I had the chance to get a chance to see the Fender Reissue of the 1961 Strat with the medium to full C neck and 7.25 radius , the same burst as Rory Gallagher Strat in the Fender Vintage Stratocaster 1961 Reissue II. At the price I want one so bad! At $2099 how in the world? The Rory Custom is $5000. These are the guitars that Rory, David Gilmore, Pat Travers, Robin Trower who are virtuoso players either just under 80 or even 80 +. I really can’t play my 12 string or Epiphone both with 12 radius and skinny necks. All I have now is an old plywood Silvertone, but it is a beautiful classic 3 tone burst with dime sized pots , but clear pickups a medium C neck with 9.5 radius fretboard set up well in Park Hills MO by Casey, who can turn goat rap into diamonds. The 5 way switch is loose and needs replacement. I want to hot rod it until I can get a Vintage Reissue 61 Strat 2. I an going to have to get CTS Texas Special pots and a tone capacitor and a set of Almico pickups that have the Texas Twang. A 3 piece pick guard on that old Silvertone with the black headstock. I was surprised it was plywood. You put it on your legs and even unplugged it is really resonant and you feel it in your legs. Dangdest thing . I don’t know who made it. No numbers, markings, nothing., I am hoping to get a Vintage Reissue II Burst Strat.
Amen!