Official Luthiers Forum!

Wanted to get some input from Classical builders what radius they like to use on fret boards if any and why. I personally don’t have a preference, my only classical i own at the moment is a cheap cross-over (14 fret thin body with a <2" nut width and X bracing on the top) which does have a radius though i'd be hard pressed to tell you what foot it is. I'm at that step and have to decide if i want any so i thought i'd take a head count and see if that helps me any.

Any way short and sweet, let em rip!

Thanks,

Nate

Hi Nate.

I offer both flat and 20'' radius for my classical/flamencos, although I mostly do flat.

Most of the time, the radius fretboard is appreciated by guitar players with an acoustic background where radiused fretboards are standard, and on which bar chords are easier to make. Most of my customer who are purely classical or flamenco players will prefer a true flat fretboard.

_________________
Alain Moisan
Former full time builder of Acoustics, Classicals and Flamencos.
(Now building just for fun!)

I believe most Classical Guitar fingerboards are flat (No radius)
You may find that some are starting to be built with a slight radius because of the preference of the guitarist.... but it's not really all that common....

Thanks

John

I've been using a compound radius on my classicals for over 20 years.
NOT ONE player has said they did'nt like it.
99% said it made fingering(3 note chords) and especially barring easier.
BUT-the final setup is really important and if all the pieces
string height at the nut & saddle;fret height ;F.B. relief.

I take the left & right hand comfort very seriously !

Mike

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Mike Collins

Boards with a very slight convex curvature (radius) radius actually look flat; flat boards can appear a bit concave. I know I can't tell the difference without a straightedge.
( I recall something about the shape of Greek columns along these lines...)
I know that Sergei deJonge recommended a v. slight radius on the fingerboard of the classical I built during his course. I've handed the guitar to a couple of quite good players and neither of them commented on the fingerboard 'flatness'.

Cheers
John

I've always built flat but with the bass side tapered. My current build which is going to be a guitar for myself will have a 20deg on it just to explore the possibilities.

Mike, curious, what is the compound radii you use?