Bridge Radius for Straight necks

[johnnyj]

Hi folks,

i am currently considering a new warmoth build. for this axe, i would like to go with a flat straight radius with a schaller lockmeister and an earvarna nut (no locking nut).

now i am interested in how to optimize the radius for this build. would you suggest to take the same radius on the fretboard like on the bridge? for the lockmeister, i can go with a 16" radius without shimming and would like to use that at the bridge. would it be fine/recommendable to use a slightly smaller radius on the neck like 15" or would you recommend to use identical radius?

best
johnny

 

[JohnnyHardtail]

Did you already decide the fretboard radius, or do you want to choose it to work with the 16” bridge radius?

 

[Strat Avenger]

The radius should be whatever the fretboard radius is on a straight radius neck.

 

[JohnnyHardtail]

I think it's normal to have a bridge radius that is slightly larger than the fretboard radius, because the low strings require disproportionately higher action. For example a Les Paul having a 14” bridge radius.

 

[Bruce Campbell]

Hard to know until you try, but I often prefer a slightly larger (more flat) radius at the bridge than the 9.5 of my necks. This is mostly so the high E/B can be bent and rocked a little harder without fretting out.

 

[stratamania]

Generally use the identical radius for straight necks. Or if you want to experiment, using a 15" straight radius with the 16" bridge would be okay as well. I would not go smaller than a difference of one inch for this situation.

 

[johnnyj]

i would prefer either a 14 or a 15 straight. in my preparation i also read the justification for mismatch wrote in some forums that jonnyhardtail and bruce now wrote, which makes theoretically sense for me, but i dont have experiences with it.