Anyone actually checked out their fretboard radius?

[buckethead bungler]

I've started to get into setting up guitars myself lately and have slowly acquired a load of tools from Stew Mac. One set of handy tools I've purchased has been a set of fretboard radius tools and after deciding to check out the conical fretboard that Jacksons supposedly have I was shocked to find out my USA KV-2 circa 2001 has a constant 12" radius - not the compound 12-16" radius specified on their sites. Has anyone else noticed this on their guitars or am I a lone soldier with a constant 12" radius?

[metalchurch79]

I've started to get into setting up guitars myself lately and have slowly acquired a load of tools from Stew Mac. One set of handy tools I've purchased has been a set of fretboard radius tools and after deciding to check out the conical fretboard that Jacksons supposedly have I was shocked to find out my USA KV-2 circa 2001 has a constant 12" radius - not the compound 12-16" radius specified on their sites. Has anyone else noticed this on their guitars or am I a lone soldier with a constant 12" radius?

No, I havent checked mine, but Jackson also advertises the KV2 as having Jumbo Frets, which they are more like a Medium-Jumbo realistically, so the radius thing doesn't surprise me really.

What tools did you buy so far? What's the quality like on them? I've been wanting to oder some tools from Stew Mac, but I was unsure of the quality.

[straycat]

I've spet a lot of money at Stew-Mac over the years.Great quality tools IMO expensive but when you have the right tools the job is much eaiser and the quality of your work better.

[DonP]

I never bothered checking the radius of my SL2H because it plays great, so I don't mess with it.

I have an LP with a 9.5" radius. As long as humans are doing the work...

Also, did you check the actual fretboard radius or the string radius? The strings might be 12" at the bridge but the fretboard might be 16". That would be bad I would think. I would think you'd always want a larger string radius than fretboard, if you can't get the two to match.

[missionguitars1]

For those of you looking for free radius guides:

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguardian/Images/Pickguardian%20Neck%20Radius%20Gauges.pdf

[DonP]

I want the steel ones from Stew-Mac, but I don't want to pay for them

[Newc]

Also, are you checking the fretboard or the frets? While the fret wires may be bent to match the board's radius, if they're ground/polished to a different radius......

[Foulacy]

For those of you looking for free radius guides:

http://www.pickguardian.com/pickguar...s%20Gauges.pdf

you are awesome.

quality of tools from stewmac is the best in the business.

[buckethead bungler]

Checked the actual fretboard in between the 23rd and the 24th frets as I assumed that is where the 16" radius would be most pronounced. I don't mind it being a flat 12" radius to be honest as the OFR has a set 12" radius and it now matches the entire length of the neck.

I used the metal understring radius gauges and they're very handy. Very high quality machined parts. Great for setting pole-piece height as well as action at the bridge.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Measuring_tools/Understring_Radius_Gauges.html

[DonP]

Those are nice. I'd love to get a set.

[toejam]

I don't mind it being a flat 12" radius to be honest as the OFR has a set 12" radius and it now matches the entire length of the neck.

An OFR has always been a 10" radius. Your saddles may be shimmed.