Anyone re-radius a fretboard?

[Cagey]

PRS himself has said in interviews that choking out isn't an issue with properly done frets and a well set-up guitar.

I'm not PRS, but I can attest to the efficacy of that radius and string-risking bends without fretting out or buzzing because I've done it. But, it does take some meticulous attention to the fretwork, which very few manufacturers will spend the time to get. It's the old 80/20 rule at work. You can get 80% of the fretwork done in 20% of the time, but that last 20% of perfection will take 80% of the time. It's rarely called for and unless you're using stainless, it isn't likely to last, so it's equally rarely done. Plus, that radius is rarely called for. Something a little flatter or better yet, a compound/progressive radius is much easier to play.

 

[beltjones]

^^^I think whether one radius is easier to play than another depends on a lot of factors, but your point is a good one. On this neck I chose vintage size 2230 frets, but I went with stainless for exactly the reason you mention.

I've found that leveling frets is pretty easy - even with stainless. My current method is to use a 24" leveling beam with adhesive sand paper on it. Of course I spend a bit of time making sure the neck is dead straight before I begin sanding, and I'm careful with the rest of the crowning and polishing as well. The nice thing is that the beam itself is a box level I bought for $20 at Lowes. It's cheap, and works perfectly.

Of course, the point about builders not spending the 80% of the time to perfect the final 20% of the work is correct, but it shouldn't be in the days of PLEK machines.

 

[beltjones]

"When you say you are able to get a 2 1/2 step bend without any choking on the B at the 20th fret to make sure we mean the same thing the 20th fret on the B is a G, the 2 1/2 step bend would take that to a C."

Just to be sure, I put on a tuner, and bent the G at the 20th fret up to a C# without fretting out.

 

[stratamania]

"When you say you are able to get a 2 1/2 step bend without any choking on the B at the 20th fret to make sure we mean the same thing the 20th fret on the B is a G, the 2 1/2 step bend would take that to a C."

Just to be sure, I put on a tuner, and bent the G at the 20th fret up to a C# without fretting out.

Great, I am not saying I don't believe you but it is less usual to see that on a 7.25". I would not mind seeing or trying it in person at some point. I think you mentioned yourself that when you tried the PRS it was a surprise to you also.

 

[spe111]

I could get two full steps on both of my 7.25" guitars, no more. They both have pretty good fret jobs so I think that's probably about the max for that string height, which is fairly low. Also, I realized I don't care if it can go much higher because that temporarily put my arthritis into hyperdrive.

Addition: I forgot to say B string on the 15th fret