Vintage Fender Stratocaster 7.25" Radius - Will It Shred? Can you Bend? Watch and find out! 

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David Gilmour, the master of bends, uses a 7.25" fretboard. Nuff said.

With low action, the fretting out mostly happens on the small E string (it could also on the large E string, but that is not normally bent). That string will choke on the frets if you bend too much because of that radius. You only bent the B string, which will not normally choke out because it rolls onto the top of the fret, nothing to choke against. You also played with a lot of distortion, which helps with shredding. Doesn't work as easily without distortion and low action on bends, mainly with the small E string.

I’m prone to tendinitis and discovered not too long ago when I got my hands on a 65 Jaguar that I can play longer comfortably on 7.5 radius neck than a flatter one. I also discovered I like the slightly thicker neck and vintage profile. Don’t listen to internet experts, go try stuff and see what your hands like best

Love the 7 1/4 neck. Never ever had any issues with bends. I have a Shecter with a 14”16” radius and I can play it fine, American Pro with 9.5 same thing, but it’s something about the natural feel of the 7.25 that’s such a joy to play.

Your vibrato is killer.

Thanks for this honest demo. Really answered a lot of questions.

I Read Yesterday that i can't bend or play clean with a 7.25 radius. Without it buzzing. That I shouldnt Play vintage frets for the same reason And a 7.25 with vintage frets is unplayable without acoustic like action. My question to myself was what did Buddy Guy, Clapton, Beck, Holly and all the great country and blues do with their guitars considering they did'nt have any other option than those specs. They played their guitars and made them sound great.

Those split shaft tuners are my favourites. Super clean look and super fast restring job.

In my 50 plus years of playing I've discovered I mostly like a radius between 9" and 12", with frets close to medium jumbo, and a standard width fretboard. I never do more than a full step bend, and like the playing comfort that some fretboard radius gives. You played some good riffs on that 7.25 " radius and have opened my mind a bit. Thanks for that good demo!

Wow mate, great video! You deserve more subs and views, this is the only video on YT where somebody is talking honestly about vintage 7,25" radius, everywhere i look people are always complaining about not being able to bend notes properly, that you can't play fast and so on. I've got Fender American vintage reissue strat and i don't have literally any problems whatsoever, i can play Gilmour licks with heavy bends easily, so many players played vintage radius for decades. Anyway, great and very educational video. Cheers!

I agree with everything you've said. I can shred like a mofo on a 7.25 radius with small, vintage frets. They allow for a shockingly low action. The rounded neck makes playing feel more comfortable than a 12" or 16" board, like the guitar is working harmoniously with the curvature of your hand. Especially if it's a chunky, baseball bat shape. It makes the guitar literally feel like its part of you. If any of you are unhappy with your 7.25" boards you could always get the frets re-radiused to become 9.5" or 12" with extra fall off above the 15th, it'll lower the action and give you more bending room.

First video I’ve watched of yours and dig your channel, some great stuff on there. Superb playing! Subscribed

YES, SIR!!! Happy to see someone that actually knows what is talking about.....

Great review, analysis, critical thinking, and demo!!! It's the accuracy of the neck and fretting that matters most! Mark Knopfler always sounded fantastic on his 7 1/4 Strat neck.

My Tele is 7.25 I didn’t realise when I bought it, I just lived how it felt. Does not fret out, beautiful to play. Before that I had an Ibanez Jem which is 15.75 feels so flat. Next was a PRS at 10 which felt much better but now that feels flat compared to the Tele. I’m about to buy a Strat, most are 9.5 but I’m going to search for a 7.25 they just feel so good.

Hey Lucas i bought the new fender AVii and It came in and i set it up it plays really nice except for the high e chokes out when you barley go past a full step bend at the 13th and 14th fret. And when i decked the trem and straightened the neck a little bit .008 relief from .010 (factory fender spec) the saddles don’t quite go high enough. And they’re just maxed out. All frets are level.

A refreshing no BS video. Thanks. I learned a few things.

I have a YJM strat with a 9.25". I personally love a 16 but I hear alot of people stating their strats choke out. I've helped a few friends and it is usually a setup issue or a high fret. One buddy of mine adjusted his neck and said ever bend chokes. I took one look down his neck and it looked like a suspended bridge! He back bowed the neck to the point the center of the fret board was nearly touching the strings! I was like dude, don't wrench on guitars. Let me teach you. Other buddy his choked out after the 12 fret and I had found a high fret not pressed in all the way. Pressed it in and problem solved. Alot of ppl go for the file instantly on a high fret. Always make sure it's fully seated

Radius is so overrated. They just all feel different, you get used to it and enjoy the different feels. I have 7.25's, 9.5 and 12. I also have small hands. People suggesting a certain size radius is just what they personally preffer. Me I love them all.

Awesome video - I was concerned about a tele with a 7.25 - but your video was really helpful. My strat is 9.5 so this will be a nice contrast.

I needed this. There’s an MIJ Strat I have my eye on locally and the only thing that was giving me pause was the 7.25” board. I think I’m gonna go for it. Thank you 🙏

Great video and a topic that has captured my interest over the last 5 years or so. Thank you.

Thanks man! I've just bought a 50s Classic Strat and the radius/bending "issue" was one I'd heard while researching online (after the fact...) so this video really helped put my mind at rest

Needed to see this! I just ordered a 7.25 and I was a bit nervous!

Make a list of your top 10 favorite shred guitarist who bend , pick, and play legato, and list the radius fret boards they are using. I made a list. None of them have a fret board radius of less than 9.5",with most being 12" and up. Why? You cannot have super low, legato playing action, and bend on a 7.25" radius. I have several guitars with 7.25" and have tried lowering it to achieve the same action as on my 12-16" radius guitars. The 7.25" radius will fret out almost instantly with a bend. If you want freaky low action and know your not going to bend, use a 16-20" radius. i.e Allan Holdsworth . I love the feel of all my 7.25 guitars, but the action is higher to achieve the bends. Yes, you can shred and bend on a 7.25", but its a lot a harder on the wrist, arm and fingers to do so.

I have the classic player 50's strat that has a 7-1/4" radius. I will say it is harder to solo than a flatter radius, dont let anyone tell you different. That said, after many many different setups and string gauges, I have it set up really nice, but it is something you have to get used to, and you really do notice the difference when switching to another guitar with a flatter radius. Still in two mind whether to swap the neck out for a flatter neck.

7.25 for me all the way. It just feels "right." As to the people who seem to think you can't bend very well on a 7.25, I simply point them to David Gilmour.

Good video. There are a lot of misconceptions out there about the vintage radius. If set up correctly, it's a dream to play. My first guitar was a '78 strat (still have it) and at that time I wasn't that savvy about strats or guitars in general. I only figured it out later. I have around 30 guitars now, everything under the sun in radius, nut width and neck profiles. Still love the vintage radius, with a medium girthy neck and a 1/58" nut width. '77, '78 strats have a super comfortable neck profile in my opinion. For a flatter radius, i prefer a wider nut and a thinner neck. Both are nice I think, but what I found is you will be insprired to play different things on each. I actually find bending on a 7.25" gives you more control than on a flat radius, like if u wanna add a subtle vibrato on the top of the bend. It has this kinda organic feel I find hard to explain :) Now i am planning on doing a '65 strat build with a 7.25-9.5" compound radius neck.

Really appreciate the video and your personal experience and explanation on the radius. I just purchased a 75' hardtail. What wonderful, underrated guitars!

Really glad I came across your vid. Been debating a neck replacement with a 7.25 radius but was concerned about bend choking. I now have absolute confidence that the 7.25 with be just fine. Many thanks Lucas. Big thumbs up from Canada. Cheers

Well, Richie Blackmore, Uli Jon Roth, Yngwie Malmsteen, Stevie Ray Vaughn all did it. So did some guy named Roy Clark.

I played mine since 1999 and the frets, especially in the middle of the board, have basically worn down to nothing. There was a point where it just wasn't playable, that was probably 10 years ago. Vintage frets are ace, but when its time to replace them, do so decisively and use evo gold. They play as well as you remember vintage frets, but they never wear out!

Couldnt agree more, l usually dont chime in on these types of things but theres alot of poor info on the 7 1/4 radius necks, for me it comes down to comfort, l can literally play for days straight on my 7 1/4 strats without my fretting hand cramping at all verse 5 min on 12 radius before it hurts, to each his own but certainly nothing wrong with a vintage radius or 70s strats there awesome

Great job sir..........needed this as I am looking at a Fender with 12 inch radius...have 9 1/2 now.....thanks

I just dropped a PILE of money on a Fender Custom Shop Masterbuilt '61 relic Strat, and realized AFTER they shipped it that it has a 7.25" radius. Somehow I had thought it was 9.5". So I suddenly got really concerned when I learned that it was 7.25". A quick Google search led me to this video, which was very reassuring. Now I am waiting with bated breath for the guitar to get here - by far my most expensive guitar purchase ever, by a factor of almost 3x. It's a sunburst hardtail with a Brazilian board. Can't wait to see it in person. I saw in one of the comments that David Gilmour played a 7.25", so really, that was all I needed to hear! :-)

Excelente report. Thank you very much.

I find it hard to play chords on a flatter fretboard.

Wish fender would make more 60s style strats with the Nitro cellulose finish and the 7.25 radius...not everyone likes to shred

Any guitar can shred if the fret levelling is spot on👌

Thank you for posting this. It helps a lot.

Yes, your action is pretty low for 7.25 but... I'd like to see that bend on low E, say at E or D. Then I'd be impressed. The bend you did at 2 steps on B(D) is still doable if the neck relief is minimal and the fretwork is perfect. There is no question traditional Strats can be played on fast but it's harder to get there. The noun 'playability' is real and it is directly proportional to fretboard radius. That's just mho.

I prefer smaller radius necks myself. One thing that really baffles me though is why bass necks are made so flat. You don't have the need to do any crazy bends on a bass, and if you look at the origins, upright basses have around a 3.5" radius.

I find that is you have your action set a little high to use the trem, with .10 gauge strings, then it is harder to do bends higher up the neck on a 7.25. I could never give it up though because I use my thumb to fret rhythm parts, and 7.25 is great for this. I've been thinking about a compound 7.25-9.5.

Thank you Lucas

Gilmour never seemed bothered 😂. Have an awesome day mate!

I have a 7 1/4, and other guitars with flatter boards, I was always told the 7 1/4 was good for chords, that's what the roll of the electric guitar was, as time passed the roll of the electric guitar evolved, I think I even have one less fret on the 7 1/4 , it's not a big deal, in my humble opinion, it comes down to feel

David Gilmour bends like crazy and he has a 7.25 radius

If the frets are level all the way across the fretboard, you shouldn't fret out, although if the frets are slightly skew, a tighter radius would be less forgiving than a flatter one for bends. Like with most things, it's the quality of the fret-job that makes the difference. I agree that ss frets are worth it. I dent my frets very quickly if they're nickel. I've replaced the first 2 on my acoustic with ss and contrary to rumours, I couldn't hear any difference in tone between the stainless and the nickel frets. They didn't damage my tools, but the sharp edges took longer to file down and it was harder to avoid removing wood from the sides of the neck as I sanded them, even though I had a specialized file.

I am with you on this. I am guilty of reading and watching youtube videos and of course learning a lot but stumbling into this area of 7.5 radius bad. About ten years ago I needed a new neck for my very nice fender Japanese made strat, I was gigging and in working bands, so I jumped on the warmoth site went through the order process and received a neck that looked nice and was similar to the neck on the guitar. I put it on and was literally heartbroken because it felt extrememly bad. I took it off and put it in the closet. Years later, I revisited the neck to see what I could do with it and after searching on youtube I realized it was actually a compound radius and being used to 7.5 I could not play the thing at all without a lot of time invested to retrain my brain so to speak. Today I think it is kind of funny to be watching the videos and learning more about this type of neck and how it seems to solve a problem - especially (supposedly)for those of us that use strictly 7.5 radius necks, as we can't bend without fretting out.....Reailly?!?I read a comment somewhere that this was/is a sales gimmick for warmoth, I do believe that is a big part of this push toward compound radius necks. I am not against compound radius necks for sure but I am kind of taken back at those who say there is a "problem" that needs to be addressed because of the 7.5 radius, that is just not the case at all. It is clearly another rumor or myth to add to the large bucket of rumors and myths surrounding every aspect of guitar technology.

Thanks a very helpful demo 👍

I use 7.25 necks with vintage frets. But I scallop from the 5th fret up. I leave the first four Frets alone. It helps with the open chords not squeezing the notes Sharp.

Thanks for sharing this. I bought a 7.25 Strat not realizing it was a 7.25 radius and i found i much prefer it over most of my 9.5 radius. If you are on the fence, try one or buy one. They are awesome

Yeah man long as the instrument is set for how u like it to b!!! It will wrk Wonderfull! I see that all the time 7:25 radius being a choker to bend !!! Not true i have a strat 73 antiqua w 7:25 nd i adjusted the bridge according to the radius so it will fallow the shape nd curve of the neck 🤙🏼 nice vid dude

You can have the frets leveled to change the radius as well.

I've been playing 7.25 for over 10 years now an I love it and I don't ever "fret out!" Yes I play a variety of genres, including some "Metal Shredding." Don't believe me? As Jimi Hendrix!

Thanks for the video. I bought the Tele… 🎉🎉🎉🎉

I knew this was bs my first board was 7.25 and I never had a problem

Yo Lucas, my action is as low as yours. Was thinking of raising it just a little but I have no issues so far playing it.

What do you think of the latest 70th anniversary fender broadcaster?

i feel like so much of what people say about guitars online is by hacks who can't play, leading to "you can't bend on a 7.25 radius!" well, maybe YOU can't 😅

Love the 7.25 radius on fenders , disappointing they make them with 12 sometimes like the kenny Wayne shepherd model which is meant to be based on his ‘61’ strat , so what’s the point ? It’s even in 3 different colours or colors (for those of you in the USA) nothing like his ‘61’ !! Feel ok now I’ve had my rant ! Good job on the vid

That's great to know. I have a 62 mij with the stock frets I don't know exactly how to set the action low without the bends on 15th to 17th fret high e string choking. I've set the action to a point where you can only do a full bend on those frets just right at the edge before it chokes and I wanna be able to do more than just a full bend on those areas.

Thanks for the video

Thank you!!

Have you measured the radius? usually when guitars are refreted and have fingerboard leveled they go up in radius because luthiers usually sand more in the middle and try to avoid edges. This is how m,ost famous guitar players moved to 9.5-12 (EC, YM, EJ, ...) Chances are that's a 9-10" being that old.

I just bought a MIM Telecaster Custom with 7.25 radius. It has the lowest action (very low) of my guitars and it doesn't choke out. It's really comfortable, great playing guitar. I also have a 17 degree radius HM Strat so I was shocked that I really like this. So now I want a 7.25 strat.

My first guitar back in 1982 was a 1978 Fender Stratocaster with the 7.25" radius. It's just the most comfortable for me. I can do the Gibson 1990s and up Les Pauls & SG's (I actually read that Gibson 12" radius is more like 10"). I find Schecter necks and a lot of the wider necks simply unplayable, but Im more of a jammer than a technical player like John Petrucci and 17" radius. I don't get it but God bless 'em.

danke schoen, i am getting a vintage spec fender

What a great video

Yeah i have a fender road worn 60s strat. 7.25 radius fingerboard n ive never had that issue with it i always bend like crazy.

I just picked up a 79 Strat with a 7.25 radius and it's choking out when I bend at the higher frets. My go to guitar tech recommends a re-radius and a refret. Would you recommend having it plekked before trying that? I like crazy low action like I have on my Les Paul. Great video, Thanks!

David Gilmour and John Mayer seem to find their way around a 7.25 just fine.

You can shred on any fingerboard but if I use a 25.5 inch scale length then my fingers say fuck that and that is mainly due to the extremely light touch I have (not enough strength I guess). So I tend to go with a 24.75 scale length but I will say bends are more comfortable on a 12 inch radius. I can bend the shit out of a note (I use 9-42 strings) on any fingerboard so radius is really only addressing how comfortable the bend is going to be. David Gilmour bends the shit out of a string and uses 10's, that is crazy. Personally I use a 12 inch radius, with a 24 3/4 scale length and 9's with a super low action, as low as I can get without buzz (the trick is putting a fall away on the last few frets). Being someone who doesn't use a vintage radius I can say you are right, radius can make it more comfortable if you have bitch hands like me but it is completely doable on a vintage radius. Good video.

Excellent video! I'd be very interested to see a low action setup video for this guitar. I just bought a Vintera 50s Strat with a 7.25" radius.

Super dope axe, love hardtail strats

I want the Isbell tele....so thanks. I think it will be fine.

Hey Lucas, my guitar action height on my E-Guitars are all in the range from 1,20 mm to 1,50 mm. Only one guitar (my Fender Vintera 50s Strat) with an 7,25 radius has an action hight with 2,00 mm. If I lower that action hight there is no chance for me to bend a whole tone (ore higher). But honestly I don't want an action height with 2,00 mm ore beyond. And that's the reason, why I don't really like the 7,25 mm vintage radius. For me I prever fretboards with an radius from 12 to 16 inch. My vintage Fender hast an incredible sond. Therefore I have not sell it so far. Greetings, Matthias

Show us bends on high E between 14-16 fret

Ok, after watching several people's videos trying to explain why a curved fretboard will not allow string bending as much as flatter fretboard... Finally, proof they are wrong. Not one of them bent their strings, showed their stuff.

Very interesting, thanks! I just started two months ago and chose a guitar with a very flat radius (17'') & very thin neck as flatter radius (not necessarily as flat) and thinner neck are usually recommended for what I wanna learn to play but I def gotta try different ones when I'll get chance! I kinda chose almost purely based on gathered info as I'm a lefty and the local shop has precisely one left-handed guitar, so. :D

Good stuff man! You can shred too! I recently found something i personally did not like about this new guitar i just purchased. It kinda blows my mind too because ive been playing for years now and have played alot of guitars over the years although i normally stick to strat types and les paul types mainly. My new guitar came with 14" radius fret board and extra jumbo frets. I really didn't think it would be an issue. If anything i thought a benefit. Was sadly mistaken! It felt way to large in my hands and the frets are too tall and so the notes go sharp when pressed to hard. I was originally gonna go with a 12" fretboard like on the fender classic player 60's but didnt. That was really as modern shred flat as i wanted to go. Everything else about it is super sweet aged hardwear, ebony fretboard, 60's style strat pu's, alder body. Not gonna name, names though. I'm sticking to anything between 7.25" & 12 from now on and no frets over jumbo at most. Flatter freboard= large in hands, larger frets equals large in hands. Both these things = to damn large for my taste! Lol Hope this helps somebody. Rock on!!

This wasn't a very scientific video, no measurements of the saddle heights. I have to set up my 7.25" Strat a little higher than my other guitars for bending. It isn't drastic, but it's just a fact of life.

i got an ibanez blazer from '81... irc 7,5" radius. shreds better then anything else i ever played. in fact, i also have an SG with a rather flat radius (12" i think) is does not "shred" as well. i never found a guitar with flat radius good for shredding. i don't know who spread the myth. also gave the ibanez to a lot of my guitar playing friends, they all confirm its shredability- weird myths.... maybe from people that can not "shred" for people that can not "shred".... (not trying to be arrogant here ;)

I found your little channel after doing a search for 7.25 fretboards because I was curious what it was like playing something even more curved than my Mex Strat. I was messing around on my Strat for a couple hours and then got out my Gretsch which is 12" and it just felt weird at first switching. Nothing more difficult or easier about it, just different. I was wondering what it would be like to go the other way down in radius. Thanks man, subbed to your channel! BTW you're and excellent player.

Those huge frets really help IMHO. Mine is also super easy to play; dead straight, light strings, low action. But it still has the vintage frets and huge bends aren't much fun. A full step is fine but not two like what you are doing here. There's just not enough fret to push in to.

Hey man you speak the truth about the 7.25 radius. I have an 89 Strat + that had a maple neck with the Wilkinson roller nut. Terrible combination as far as I am concerned. The nut didn't allow for heavier string gauges and the neck was like wrestling a grisly bear! I had an old parts strat with an original 69 neck with 7.25 radius that I put on there and walla!! This guitar is now the finest playing strat of all the strats I play. I have gotten in to disagreements with fellow Geektar nerds about this but for me its easier to play than all my strats with standard 9.5 radius with 22 frets.

Uli Jon Roth used a 70s strat for a long time...I will say the newer necks on strats feel nice.

OMG! Wow. Thanks...

That strat sounds killer, real shreddy 80s style

Thanks a LOT man for publishing this video..!!..I'm an absolute admirer of a 7, 25 inches vintage radius and YOU HAVE MY 100 % SUPPORT for this idea and attitude..(.if this anything means to you..)..Besides that, my personal opinion is that everything but 7,25 inch radius neck looks JUST UGLY...!!!...Have a good time man...!!!..p.s. I like your vibrato as well...I do the same thing....only 10 % of a world guitar players have a right vibrato...

7.25 for me, no problem!

You have just cost me $1250!!! Lol... I now feel OK buying a tele 52 from Japan sight unseen... :) Great video, big thank you, and it's true, there is a lot of doo doo out their in cyberspace!

9,5 is the right for me but I think a compound 7,25-12 is great too

I play blue and bend like crazy and never fret out on my 7.25 broadcaster.

The problem is bending further down the fretboard is third to filth fret especially the e string thanks j

Alternate picking and tapping are actually easier with a 7.5 inch fretboard and vintage style frets. Also, sliding from one position to the next is easier and smoother. I can play anything from Van Halen to Jazz and blues on my classic series 60’s Stratocaster and It’s my number one guitar and blows all my other guitars away even my les paul.To really unleash its potential tune down to E flat and put a mini humbucker in the bridge position and then it will scream. I recommend the lil screamin demon pickup.

I hear all this talk about how you can't bend on a 7.25 neck radius, usually from guys who can't bend on a 9.5 neck radius 😂.

I think you used the wrong string to demonstrate. The first (high e) string is the most prone to fretting out when bent two steps and more as it travels from the lowest point on the fretboard to the highest. My MIJ strat has a 7.25" vintage fingerboard and I need to keep high E at 2mm on the 12th otherwise it frets out when bent two steps anywhere higher than 15th

Of course if you had it Plek'd that's going to make a big difference, but most people who buy off the shelf won't have that benefit. Most average guitars aren't even set up, frets aren't level, necks aren't straight, etc...a straight neck & a good set up are crucial with any radius. On a 7.25" neck, a 10" radius on the saddles usually does the trick for bends providing the frets are leveled. Nice Strat btw.