12" neck radius?

Stephanos · #1 10-18-2011, 05:22 AM

Hey guys,

I have a Hofner Vice President archtop which I love, except that I find the neck a bit slim. Also I think I find a 12" radius more comfortable (like on my 72 Tele deluxe reissue) and I would like to ask you which archtops that you know of have a 12" neck radius? As I said I like the Tele neck but it doesn't give me the sound of the Hofner. Any one knows the neck radius on the Eastman archtops?

Thanks

marcwhy · #2 10-18-2011, 07:00 AM

It seems most jazz guitars these days have 12" radius ... what does your Hofner have?

oldane · #3 10-18-2011, 07:03 AM

We are talking about the fretboard curvature radius, right?

Kuz · #4 10-18-2011, 07:20 AM

All Heritage Archtops have 12" neck radius.

Tom Karol · #5 10-18-2011, 07:32 AM

I believe 12" is Gibson's standard as well.

BigDaddyLoveHandles · #6 10-18-2011, 08:48 AM

How "fat" the neck is, or its shape (C, D, U, soft V) is called its contour. That may be more what you're noticing.

Stephanos · #7 10-19-2011, 07:52 AM

Thanks for all of your replies. Indeed maybe it's the thickness (or the lack of it) that's bothering me, but the fretboard is "curvier" than my Tele's 12". I must try some archtops in December since I'll be in London to spend the holidays with my in-laws (yay). No stock to speak of in Cyprus!

jazzbow · #8 10-19-2011, 11:26 AM

Hey Stephanos.
A friend of mine has an old Hofner archtop, I couldn't tell you the model but it has a fat neck and what seems to be a 7.5" radius. This style of neck is great for chord work, look else where for slinky action baby!

rpguitar · #9 10-19-2011, 11:36 AM

Guess what? I have this Gibson L-12 that Joe from archtop.com describes in the listing as "a nice rounded fingerboard radius for easy chord work and soloing."

I recently took it to a luthier to assess the frets and some other stuff. He measured the radius and it's an unbelievable 5 inches! It's the tightest I've ever seen (and I think him, too).

Jim Soloway · #10 10-19-2011, 11:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jazzbow

Hey Stephanos.
A friend of mine has an old Hofner archtop, I couldn't tell you the model but it has a fat neck and what seems to be a 7.5" radius. This style of neck is great for chord work, look else where for slinky action baby!

You think? I've always found flatter fingerboards to be much better for chords. I've been playing 16's for years and I've considered going to a 20.

rpguitar · #11 10-19-2011, 03:41 PM

I agree; this variable is not that big a deal if the setup is good. I have everything from the aforementioned 5" to flat flamenco guitar boards. All it takes is a little adjustment period to dial in the feel. I do prefer 12" and higher though.

jazzbow · #12 10-19-2011, 04:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Soloway

You think? I've always found flatter fingerboards to be much better for chords. I've been playing 16's for years and I've considered going to a 20.

Yup, I have a maple neck strat with 7.5" radius which I find great for cowboy chords and jazzy extentions

but really sucks when it comes down to bends. I guess the C section helps.