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  • Fretboard radius

    Posted by gregD35 on June 26, 2021 at 10:35 am

    This is for Brian S – although of interest to all I think. I did some searching and came across this chart of common fretboard radius by brand: https://www.thaliacapos.com/pages/fretboard-radius-guide-by-guitar-make-model

    Not completely definitive. For example, it says a Gibson acoustic would be 16 inch, while I have looked up a couple of spec sheets on a J45 showing 12 inch radius. Of note (Brian) – most if not all acoustics Martins seems to be 16 in. I looked up the two I have: D35 and OM-28, and they both show 16. Although I will say my ’87 D35 loooks flatter siting down the base of the neck than the ’18 OM. Taylors appear to be mostly 15, which could account for the Martin seeming flatter. Hope this helps.

    Marty73 replied 3 years, 7 months ago 4 Members · 3 Replies
  • 3 Replies
  • BrianSantos

    Member
    June 26, 2021 at 1:09 pm

    Hi Greg! Thank you so much for the research. Very interesting.

    Yeah, the 000-15sm feels wider and flat, even though my Taylors have the same nut width (1.75 inches). Funny how the radius makes a difference. The other factor is that the string spacing is wider at the bridge on the Martin. That’s kinda nice for fingerpicking. I hope I can adjust to the Martin’s neck. This thing has such a nice deep resonance, different from my other guitars.

    I am having trigger-finger issues with my fretting hand, so that’s affecting my playing and comfort level, too. (Probably requires surgery soon.)

    Cheers!

    • This reply was modified 3 years, 7 months ago by  BrianSantos.
  • That_Guy

    Member
    June 27, 2021 at 8:18 am

    Honestly the only thing i notice when playing my various guitars is how much easier it is to cleanly fret chords on a 1-7/8” neck vs 1-11/16” neck. Seems completely insignificant when you divide that extra 1/16” among the five spaces between strings but it is. The various neck profiles dont bother me either although i would love to find one with a wide and clubby neck.

  • Marty73

    Member
    June 27, 2021 at 9:23 am

    👍

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