Neck Radius

[titser_marco]

I'm currently learning how to set up my guitar's action, relief what not but the thing is, most measurements that the guides give are specific to a given neck radius. Is there any way that I could determine the radius of my fretboard? I feel that parameter is really crucial in setting up the guitar's action. Thanks guys!

[gjuanengo]

Pucha pare, without the radiusing tool, its pure geometry na there.

(Sector ng circle yung upper, radius part and so on....)

Tanchahin mo nlanag bro, radius your saddles to fit the radius of the board, thats what I do.

[akosimic]

i was also thinking geometry na. mas mahirap pa kung hindi semi-circle yung shape ng neck.

[nathanmanansala]

Tanchahin mo nlanag bro, radius your saddles to fit the radius of the board, thats what I do.

if you play a lot of big bends but like low action, like i do, you'll have to compromise a bit here. dun sa am. std. tele ko, i can set the action pretty low and evenly across the strings kasi the radius is 10 (or close to 10, more like 9.5 daw)

pero dun sa '52ri ko with the rounder fretboard, i set the 3rd and 4th strings as low as i usually have them then gradually higher so the 2nd and 5th are a bit higher and the 1st and 6th are higher still. so i sort have a 10 radius (or basta flatter than the fretboard) on the strings even if the fretboard is 7.25 or something like that. so bent notes dont die on me.

i dont use any micro rulers and stuff. i set them by sight. i bend the strings as hard as i normally would come playing time and check if they buzz against the next fret up. usually pwede mo nang silipin and you can see kung may konting clearance over the next fret. its worked so far. i get the action right then i adjust the intonation.

playing bigger strings helps too i think. they sort of sound clearer with the low action. i dont know why. maybe its the extra tension.

[titser_marco]

up

[ito_ogami4]

Eto practical lang... natutunan ko ke Rudy Discipulo dati...when you press the 12 th fret dapat sa 5 to 7th fret papasok ang isang credit card the strings must not  touch the 5th and 7th fret...yan lang for checking the action and trust rod setting..it works for me

[Jaco D]

Stew-mac sells these Radius Guages or templates:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Measuring/Radius_Gauges.html

Actually sometime back, one of the guitar repair/maintenance books I bought (can't remember if it was the Dan Erlewine book on killer setups) had those same templates (but in Mylar) as a bonus gift to the book.  When I first saw the book, I thought something didn't sit right - the cost of the templates alone at Stew-mac were more than the cost of the book.  I didn't bother to satisfy my curiousity and just bought the book.  The templates/cut-outs are contained in one or two 8-1/2 x 11 inch Mylar sheets.  I could PDF you a copy of those sheets if you want.  Unfortunately, I'm moving house and the book is in one of the gazillion boxes I have scattered around my soon to be old home.  Will make a PDF copy once I start unpacking.

[skunkyfunk]

Man, it is this simple.

Draw several circles/arcs using a compass on cardboard.  One with a 7.25" radius (as with Fender), One with 9.5" (as with newer Fenders), 10" and 12" (as with Gibsons) and so forth (14" and 16" for Jacksons and Ibanez (if memory serves me right).

Now, the idea is to cut an arc that is big enough to measure a fingerboard.  Just refer to my drawing that I did horribly on Photoshop.

[erniebong]

Eto practical lang... natutunan ko ke Rudy Discipulo dati...when you press the 12 th fret dapat sa 5 to 7th fret papasok ang isang credit card the strings must not  touch the 5th and 7th fret...yan lang for checking the action and trust rod setting..it works for me

this only deals with the amount of neck relief as far as neck radius is concern the quick solution is a paper cutout i mold mo dun sa surface ng neck tapos  after coming up with a paper mold i usually carve it down to a popsicle stick and yes i pattern my action by placing the stick on top of the string near to the saddles all the strings should make contact with the stick.     

[tejadster]

naku geometry

[beachhead]

sino kaya pwede mag workshop for basic guitar set-up? truss rods, string relief/action, intonation. 

[iced.ink.used.ink]

fingerboard radius pala.

[mikep]

... natutunan ko ke Rudy Discipulo dati...when you press the 12 th fret dapat sa 5 to 7th fret papasok ang isang credit card the strings must not  touch the 5th and 7th fret...

I like my guitar neck to be straight, so I use this technique.  You press on the first fret or place a capo, then press on the 12th or even the end fret.  When you put a kinda thick paper or even a calling card it between the strings on the 7th fret, the paper must go through smoothly.
Better way of doing it is to use filler gauges.  For Strats, .008 - .010.  Gibsons, .004.

For string heights, use a micro ruler.  Measure string height vis a vis the 12th fret.  Measurement should be about 3/64 to 4 64 inches.  I like mine to be 3/64.  For pick up height, press last fret and measure gap between string and top of pick up.  It should be 3/32 on treble side, 1/8 on bass side (e6 string).

You do not need to know the neck radius of your guitar to set it up properly (at least methinks).

Hope this helps.  FWIW

[m1k3]

ok to ah