About the compound radius neck..? (I'm new btw. Hey!)

[DeltyVQ]

Hello forum! My name is Jordy and I'm as beginner as it comes to the big wide world of custom guitars.

Just thought I'd ask about Warmoth's compound radius necks. I was wondering, although the custom neck screen suggests otherwise, if it would be possible to get a different size compound radius made by Warmoth. I was hoping to have a 9.5 - 13 radius neck made but the only option available is 10-16 or straights. Does anybody know if it's at all possible for a 9.5-13 to be made? I'm also curious to know why it couldnt be if it can't. ^^
If not then I'll simply grab a straight 10 or something so it's no biggie.

Thank you in advance!

 

[line6man]

9"-16" is the only option.

It is neither simple, nor economically viable in a production-oriented environment, to alter the neck radiusing process for special orders. This is why straight radii cost more than compound radii, and no alternative compound radii are offered.

 

[DeltyVQ]

That makes perfect sense ^^
In your own experience. What would you suggest going for? The compound radius or a straight, and why?

 

[line6man]

That makes perfect sense ^^
In your own experience. What would you suggest going for? The compound radius or a straight, and why?

The compound radius is one of greatest triumphs in luthiery. There is no reason to still live in the stone age, with straight radii.

Get SS frets, while you are at it. You won't regret it.

 

[DeltyVQ]

Yeah I was looking at those and was very tempted to add them onto my neck as well.

Out of simple curiosity, the compound neck goes slowly to a 16" the lower down you go. Is it 13" at the 12th fret or is there like.. a little jump?

 

[line6man]

Yeah I was looking at those and was very tempted to add them onto my neck as well.

Out of simple curiosity, the compound neck goes slowly to a 16" the lower down you go. Is it 13" at the 12th fret or is there like.. a little jump?

It's the other way around. The 16" radius is at the heel. As you go lower, the radius becomes more curved, ending at 10" by the nut.

The fretboard is essentially a piece of a cone. The transition is linear.

 

[DeltyVQ]

Ah I see. Thank you for clearing that up for me. aha ^^

Looks like that'll be what I go for then, thanks

 

[stratamania]

The compound is 10 - 16" there is a typo in an earlier post.

 

[zebra]

+1 to everything Line6Man said:

- Compound radius is awesome.  Go for it.
- Stainless Steel frets are great.  Go for it.

You won't regret either - they both make for a great-playing guitar.

Incidentally, here's a link for a poll re. board member's favorite neck radius:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=26484.0

Some of those polls are a good place to get a quick idea about some of the possible specs you can choose (what specs people like, and why they like them).  Many forum members have done multiple builds, so they can speak from the personal experience of direct comparison.  Here's another good one:  http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=5461.0

Welcome to the board, and good luck!

 

[monchavo]

Going for stainless frets, sight unseen was a leap for me. But what a difference, it's such a good feel. Glassy, slippery, and they're hard to wear down. I had to purchase two other "quick" necks that were not available  out of the showcase with stainless on, now I regret that decision, I should have waited and got stainless. I have four stainless and two regular. Also if you like a bit more meat on  your fret, the 6115 wire is absolutely brilliant.

 

[DeltyVQ]

Thank you very much! Looks like I'm going for a compound radius SS fret neck then. I done some research into SS frets and was instantly convinced anyway and since checking out those polls I think my mind has been made. Compound, straight thin, SS frets. Gonna look into a few more things beforehand but those were the main things I was unsure about^^

+1 to everything Line6Man said:

- Compound radius is awesome.  Go for it.
- Stainless Steel frets are great.  Go for it.

You won't regret either - they both make for a great-playing guitar.

Incidentally, here's a link for a poll re. board member's favorite neck radius:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=26484.0

Some of those polls are a good place to get a quick idea about some of the possible specs you can choose (what specs people like, and why they like them).  Many forum members have done multiple builds, so they can speak from the personal experience of direct comparison.  Here's another good one:  http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=5461.0

Welcome to the board, and good luck!

 

[rgand]

Thank you very much! Looks like I'm going for a compound radius SS fret neck then. I done some research into SS frets and was instantly convinced anyway and since checking out those polls I think my mind has been made. Compound, straight thin, SS frets. Gonna look into a few more things beforehand but those were the main things I was unsure about^^

+1 to everything Line6Man said:

- Compound radius is awesome.  Go for it.
- Stainless Steel frets are great.  Go for it.

You won't regret either - they both make for a great-playing guitar.

Incidentally, here's a link for a poll re. board member's favorite neck radius:
http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=26484.0

Some of those polls are a good place to get a quick idea about some of the possible specs you can choose (what specs people like, and why they like them).  Many forum members have done multiple builds, so they can speak from the personal experience of direct comparison.  Here's another good one:  http://unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=5461.0

Welcome to the board, and good luck!

I was going to chime in here but you already figured it out. My last neck, and my favorite so far, is just what you chose. I put SS6150 frets in it and really like them. I also went with the roasted maple and will continue to stay with necks that don't require a finish.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I have found that I am equally comfortable on a compound 10"-16", and a straight 12".

 

[line6man]

I have found that I am equally comfortable on a compound 10"-16", and a straight 12".

You should be a fan of the compound radius, then, because it gives the same performance, for less money.

 

[DeltyVQ]

I was going to chime in here but you already figured it out. My last neck, and my favorite so far, is just what you chose. I put SS6150 frets in it and really like them. I also went with the roasted maple and will continue to stay with necks that don't require a finish.

This is actually exactly what I've been planning! I too was gonna go with Roasted Maple neck without a finish (and Ebony Black fretboard).
Does having no finish always void the warranty not matter what the wood is do you know?

 

[rgand]

I was going to chime in here but you already figured it out. My last neck, and my favorite so far, is just what you chose. I put SS6150 frets in it and really like them. I also went with the roasted maple and will continue to stay with necks that don't require a finish.

This is actually exactly what I've been planning! I too was gonna go with Roasted Maple neck without a finish (and Ebony Black fretboard).
Does having no finish always void the warranty not matter what the wood is do you know?

Roasted maple and some other woods do not require a finish to have the warranty cover them. If you look on the site at in-stock necks, the description will tell if that particular wood needs a finish to keep the warranty valid. You can also look on the neck woods page to see which woods need a finish.

 

[line6man]

I was going to chime in here but you already figured it out. My last neck, and my favorite so far, is just what you chose. I put SS6150 frets in it and really like them. I also went with the roasted maple and will continue to stay with necks that don't require a finish.

This is actually exactly what I've been planning! I too was gonna go with Roasted Maple neck without a finish (and Ebony Black fretboard).
Does having no finish always void the warranty not matter what the wood is do you know?

Most of the woods that Warmoth offers do not require a finish, and that is a major selling point for them.

Non-roasted maple, mahogany, afra, koa, korina/limba, walnut, and perhaps a couple of others require finishes. Everything else does not.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Roasted necks may not require a finish to prevent warping, but there's nothing to prevent dirt and oils from your hands from penetrating the grain and looking terrible. I'd probably still do a Tru-oil finish on it, and maybe some gun stock wax on the back of the neck.

 

[DeltyVQ]

How would one clean a non-finished roasted neck? I'm really liking web reviews of non-finished roasted maple but I don't fancy getting a dirty looking neck.

 

[mayfly]

How would one clean a non-finished roasted neck? I'm really liking web reviews of non-finished roasted maple but I don't fancy getting a dirty looking neck.

I've got a couple of roasted maple necks that I play regularly.  The one that I play the most has a maple board.  It does not appear dirty, but you can see the wear patterns under the strings by holding it up to the light.

I haven't tried to clean either neck, but I don't see why a damp cloth wouldn't work.

Trevor