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hi all
What advice regarding the amount of radius to use on a classical finger board for the classical I’m making.
The reason I ask is I am a steel string player and my main instrument is on ol’ Lowden, the f/b radius is in the 20 inch area and is what I am accustom to, my other S/S is about 18 inch. I have a wee spanish “student” model which has the traditional flat board and I fell maybe a very slightly curved board would suite me better than flat.
Also the back of the classical neck tends to be U in shape, square shouldered that is, has anyone tried other shapes?.
Anyone got any experience or thoughts on the matter?.
regards Geordie

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There are many shapes for the neck, so suit your preference.

I've made radius as small as 6" at the nut. Again, suit your preference. Some players will be picky about flat vs. radius, some won't. This is your guitar, so suit yourself.

A good place to get opinion is at the Classical Guitar Forum.

http://www.delcamp.net/forum/en/index.p ... 443602a7cb

Lots of good people hanging out there, luthiers and players.

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Hi Geordie

Most luthiers who put a radius on classical guitar fingerboard go somewhere between 20 and 25". It's a very slight radius, but it does make a difference.

The U shaped neck is being challenged by many. More and more are going a bit rounder and thinner, which proves to be easier on the left hand.

Up until the time Segovia passed away (mid-eighties), his ideas of what a classical guitar should be like was the only acceptable truth: big fat necks, long scales, flat fingerboards (and don't even think about fret dot markers ) and so on. Things have evolved a lot since and making more ergonomical necks is now the trend, rather than the deviancy.

I hope this helps,

Cheers

Pat

A traditional classical usually has a flat or near flat FB, neck width in the neighborhood of 2+" at the nut.
That said, there is a new breed of "crossover" nylon string guitars aimed towards the steel string player market that have narrower necks, radiused FB, etc. One builder that comes to mind, and happens to build a particularly nice example is Kenny Hill in Ben Lomond, CA. http://www.hillguitar.com/ The model is in his Master line. I've played one, and I've got to say it's a truly sweet instrument.
-C

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Why blame Segovia?? I blame Ramirez...

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hi all

Douglas, a 6’ radius? I cant imagine my big paws dealing with that. I do visit delcamp.net on occasion, like here a good site.

Pat, yeah I’m thinking nearer the 20 / 25 inch curve, maybe do some “mock-ups” to get some sort of an idea.

Chas, I’ll be sticking to the Hernandez body / bracing in the hope to capture some of “that sound” but from the playing aspect slightly “crossover” the line but not to far.
Thanks for the link to Kenny Hill I see he lives at Ben Lomond (Beacon Peak) I can see it from my house toped with snow at the moment just 25 miles away, I might just give Mr Hill a visit,. Oh wait, I see it says “CA.” I take it it’s not the Ben beside Loch Lomond with Glen Douglas (valley of the black water) wending away to the west?

jfrench, I would blame Santos Hernandez! no?.
thanks all for your help and ideas
Geordie

_________________
some tunes on acoustic and guitar synth.
http://www.youtube.com/user/TheGeordieAdams
http://www.myspace.com/geordieadams

I put a slight radius on the nylon string I built for myself. I don't have any gauges to measure it with and I just went with what felt good. I play thumb pick finger style. If I build another one I will most defiantly take a little more off the bass side of the FB though. You would be able to set it up a little nicer without getting buzz particularly on the low E. BTW, you'll love to play it. Good luck.

Cheers,
Danny

Hi Geordie,

6' radius sounds really tight, but in reality isn't. Make up some samples at different radii and check to see what works best for you. For myself, I have issues with my left hand due to old injuries, so this is what works for me.

I believe that Santos worked for the other Ramirez. If I am correct, it was Jose Ramirez that Joshua is referring to.

_________________
Expectation is the source of all misery; comparison the thief of joy.
http://redrivercanoe.ca/

I use a half ellipse shape for the back of the neck.

I don't have any experience with making radius fingerboards, I know many like the comfort. Personally, I barre better on a flat fingerboard for some reason.

Can I just say I've played a fair few different classical guitars over the last few years from many of the higher end European and Australian builders. At the end of masterclasses guitars get swapped around to try. All of this confirmed in me how much I preferred playing classical on a flat board, with just the edges relieved. Now, I played steel string with a 16" radius, but on classical and on the even wider lute boards I found that the playing style was better suited to the flat board. But then I'm a bit of a traditionalist.

Colin

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