Flat Fretboards

[12Gauge]

Why do different guitars vary when it comes to fretboard radius? A classical is flat. My Larrivee L-03 is almost flat and others are not. Isn't a flat board harder to barre on? What are the pros and cons?

[DonK]

- A flatter board is easier to bend on; bending on a more curved board will cause the note to "fret out" as the string is pushed up or pulled down toward the center of the board.

 

- Many people will find it easier to form barre chords on a more curved board, since you don't have to flatten your index (or other) finger as much to form the barre - it thus takes less pressure to make an effective barre, and will accommodate lazier form.

 

- People will prefer the playing feel of one over the other for personal reasons. I used to prefer the Fender 7.25" radius, but these days I like a much flatter board.

 

Don't forget compound radius boards. Some modern electrics have these: they typically have a more curved radius nearer the nut, and flatten out as you move toward the body. My project Strat has a Warmoth neck that has a compound radius - it graduates from 10" to 16" along its length.

[TheTenaciousOne]

Why do so many acoustics come with flat fretboards then?

Im sure the majority of people would play more barre chords on an acoustic compared to bends

[Freeman Keller]

 

Why do so many acoustics come with flat fretboards then? Im sure the majority of people would play more barre chords on an acoustic compared to bends

 

 

Most acoustic fretboards are not flat. The most common radius is 16 inches, with some around 20 (typically wider necked 12 fretters). Most classicals are truely flat, but good classical technique (thumb in the middle of the back of the neck, nicely arched fingers) makes this work (and lets not forget, it all started with gut string guitars back in the 1600's). Classical players do use lots of Grand Barre chords (and very few Power Chords).

 

Electrics are a very modern invention (duh) and more curved fretboards (12 inch to as small as 9) is just part of the way they are built and played (I don't play electric, but do bend about a half step on my acoustics). A few acoustics (like Larrivee) have compound radius boards - it changes as you go up the neck. But for me, a fingerstyle slide player, I want it as flat as I can get and really prefer about 20 inches.

[dhoenisch]

It has also been my experience that most steel string acoustics have radiused fretboards, with one exception, American made Harmony guitars. Personally, I don't really have a preference between one or the other. I know some do though. In the banjo world, it's the other way around. Most banjos have a flat fretboard, and some have radiused. I actually perfer flat fretboards on a banjo. I just feel it makes for easier string bending, as I do a lot playing bluegrass.

 

Dan