So I played a strat a few months ago in a shop cause I liked how it sounded but the neck just felt wrong. It had a 9.5’’ radius. A few weeks ago I saw a candy tangerine fender MIJ strat (traditional 60s) with a 7.25 radius and it just felt right. I played a limited edition American ash strat with a 9.5” and I preferred the other MIJ despite it probably having cheaper pickups. What radius do you guys prefer and why? One had a thick finish on the neck and the more expensive one had a satin finish I think but I still preferred the MIJ.
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A bit of a radical and expensive solution, but I love the guitar so I felt it was worth it.
Bigger frets help, but again, that will change the feel.
think my strat's radius is a 12'er, don't think I can tell the difference if am honest
In fact I remember some time ago I posted here a photo of a custom shop 63 strat, a MIM 60s classic strat and an original 1964 strat I owned at the same time. The MIM neck was notoriously closer to the original then the custom shop one. In that it had a little bit of a V taper on the transition of the back of the headstock into the middle of the neck and an overall closer shape. All of them were quite satisfying guitars to play, despite the obvious price differences.
black is the 63 custom shop, blue is the MIM classic 60s, sunburst is the 1964.
In my opinion, definitely go with that MIJ, if you like it. They can be great guitars.
It's all about the feel and that is a personal thing
I used to think I was big on 12" radius and that would always be my first choice, but I can actually be very happy with anything between that and 7.25, provided the frets (and neck profile) aren't tiny and the setup is good. I have dismissed buying more than one old Gibsons in the past due to low frets and not wanting to be "the guy who does the first refret" (though it would make them much better players).
Obviously, shallower radii enable some playing styles. Some of my instruments are like that.
About five weeks ago, I traded two MIJ Stratocasters (and some other stuff) with HarrySeven. Both MIJ guitars had been a pleasure to play but, in any A/B comparison, my AVRI Stratocasters were always more rewarding.