I've been using the Harely Benton first run Fusion T FNT as you know Steve. I only have one gripe. Really two. The 3 way switch gets short in the bridge at times 4th year with it now or 3?? And my fault but I wish it was the ST style over the tele but I couldn't wait when I saw these. Lol. Mine is 9.5 and it's purely brilliant. The neck is stellar!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
are they swimming pool rooted? :) I'm a sucker for trans greens and esp. turquoise, that ST prototype is definitely up my alley! since you're taking suggestions - I'm trying to find a guitar to replace my Fender Marauder as - you've guessed it, it's also neck related - the modern C neck is getting to me and the Triplebucker is kind of dull. I really want something with humbucking capabilities and a *big* single sound that's not a strat(or Filtertrons - best of both worlds!) I've nearly been considering getting a CST24 and modding it even though I already have the HB version in Tobacco burst which is the prettiest thing i own (Which has a nice neck despite being on the flat side ;)) PPS I still can't believe how amazing my PB Shorty sounds I got it B-Stock for like €84 ;_;
10 to 16 for me , its the most important thing in a guitar and I didn’t know until I bc started having access to different guitars, it took me a while to figure out why I loved some and hated others , it was all about the fretboard radius, great video
This was an educational tutorial Steve, I enjoyed it quite emensely! And until you mentioned it, I too didn't really think about which fretboard radius I preferred or if I even had a preference. Thanks for the honorable mention of my preference as conducted by your poll! Cheers!
I'm honestly glad people are actually talking about fretboard radius, because people will talk about things that don't really matter until the cows come home, but completely gloss over the shape of the thing where you put your fingers on to play. That said, I actually disagree with your "conclusion" or I guess your personal taste. I don't really get why people like heavily radiused fretboards. I "only" have two guitars: a Squier tele with a 9.5 radius and a HB PRS-copy with a 13.78 radius. Obviously there are other differences - they both say the necks are a thin C, but the HB is more of a thin-wide D in comparison. That being said, I find the flatter radius almost exclusively better. Not that the Squier is bad, but I find it harder to place my fingers along the fretboard, and I don't find chords really any easier - which is what people usually talk about. I feel like - and I think some of the people you showed in the video seem to play into this - that a big reason people "prefer" a 9.5 radius is just because "that's the way it is", or because they're used to it. People will recommend new players to "find what's comfortable", but will very rarely mention fretboard radius, or not mention it outside of the "standard" 9.5, 10 or 12. For shred guys it's kind of the opposite lol - but this clearly doesn't have much effect and ends with people thinking they're only for shredders - even though acoustic guitars are rarely radiused at all (correct me if I'm wrong). What I'm saying is, I think people should be willing to try "flatter" fretboards. Between a 9.5 and a 12 there's definitely a (small) difference, but after personal experience, I'm now interested in 16 or flatter, and I'm not a shredder. There's a wide world of options people are locked out of through the fact they're never even in their mind. It's rarely mentioned and even more rarely an option outside of garish shred guitars lol.
Thank you for taking the time to comment mate - appreciated 😀🙏 Excellent points well made 👍 I could have did another 10 mins on this easy, but wanted to keep the vid under 20mins 🙈 But yes - it's very much a mix of anatomy and playing style (imo). You're right about acoustic guitars being very flat, especially Classical Guitars. 50% of my job is teaching Classical guitar, and I'm quite comfortable playing in that style on that type of guitar. But If I want to get my funk on with "thumb over" chords etc... it's not happening 🙈 In my band 90% of the time i'm playing funk rhythm stuff, and 9.5" is perfect for me with that style and my hands. (Don't get me started on neck profiles 😂) I've recently stopped subscribing to the "you can get used to it" idea. I actually find it's the opposite for me. I can sometimes get on with a new neck profile and different radius initially, then after longer periods of play time it can become more uncomfortable - I always find myself going back to my 9.5" Modern C's. You're also right that it doesn't have to be a particular style that prescribes a particlar radius. This comments section is proving that. Thanks again mate! 😀👍
Interesting video, Steve. Until you mentioned it last week, I didn't really give it much thought, but I have always gone with something that felt comfortable to play. Looking at it further, I have found that most of mine are 9.5, so I guess this subconsciously is my preference. I do have a Harly Benton Telecaster, but this doesn't really feel too much different to me but I'm no expert, just try my best to play them. The Jet JS-400 is, however, extremely comfortable to play and could happly play it for hours.
Thank ya Richard 😀🙏 You may not even be sensitive to it all - many great players aren't. But something to think about next time you're trying out a guitar, that's differen't than you're used to. Or if it feels good/bad (to you)... find out the radius. But It still may or may not be a factor at all - could be something else 🙈
Many great players and rubbish ones like me. I will definitely check this if I buy another online, so thanks for highlighting this and educating a numpty.
I got a Harley Benton Paisley tele with a 14 inch radius and it just wasn't fender enough feeling so I re-radiused it 9.5 and put narrow tall evo gold frets on it. It plays incredible now. That being said, 12 inch radii are my favorite. They just feel like home to me and are flat enough to shred on and curved enough that chords aren't difficult.
My mate has the same one - The TE70 iirc. Great looking guitar, definitley worth the effort to get it playing how you like it 👍 I'm envious of your skillz 👊😎
If only we could be sure that the HBs neck mounting points are 'fender spec'ed' so that we could just switch out the necks for a different one. From my exp the TE-20s are absolutely not 'fender spec' as the bridge geo is off and from what I read at the HB-Forums, the neck mount points as well.
@@memyselfandi3202 Cheers for this info mate! 😀👍 I've had an issue where a Fender neck wouldn't fit a Fender body 🙈 The neck pocket placement was different on the MIC Modern player series. So cross brand compatibility is "bound" to be tricker :(
As I’m relatively new to Strat type guitars I’m easy to please ha. My preference is Jet mainly because the weight is great, the access and playability is awesome (lovely cutaway and missing that top knob that gets in the way 😉). Love my Firemist HB Strat too but it’s too heavy compared to the Jets so it doesn’t get played live as much. Jet for the win. All it’s missing is some nice Alnico pickups FTW
I'd have to agree - although I have had a couple of Heavy Jets - It's just luck of the draw at these prices. I'm actually enjoying the Jet Ceramic single coils more and more these days, but the Humbucker is still guff 😜
@@stevecassidyguitar I was kinda expecting Jet to start releasing some modified JS400’s but from what I’ve seen at Namm so far they aren’t getting a makeover
I'm so glad to hear I'm not alone - or crazy! (Well.. that's possibly still up for debate) 😜 Hopefully HB will offer some options in future, for those of us who have this preference 😀🤞
Yes! I've been saying this for a while. SO many of their models are locked behind a flat fingerboard (like the CST and SC-Customs). Having a Strat with 12" or 14" board is just weird. I prefer a rounder radius.12" is fine but anything flatter I don't like. A CST-24 with a 12" instead of 14" would be something I'd pickup up
12" is perfect for a Floyd. You need the saddle radius to be at least equal to the fingerboard, ideally greater. If the fingerboard is 16" them the saddles need to be 16-20 so that the action gently increases from string 1 to string 6. But all guitars with 16" come with a Floyd with a stock 12" radius so you have to shim under the Floyd saddles.
I'm not too well versed in the Floyd-esque equipped guitars, except for an early spell with an Ibanez RG470 back in my teens 🤓👍 Good info tho mate - cheers 😃👍
Ranman here, good video and good to see you. I am a vintage Squier fan. The flatness of a 12 inch radius is my favorite I believe. They came on a few models and that's why I get them when I see them. Squier SE stratocaster has the 12 and the Fender Starcaster Stratocaster from the early 2000's both are from the same time period and have full thickness bodies for modding. One of my arrowhead stratocasters has a triple flame and Birdseye Maple neck with real rosewood fretboard (all these features means it's a highly desired neck) I roll the fretboard and round the frets to semi hemispheric rounds and level the frets. I sanded it bare and used danish oil to get it to show the shatoyance in the grain and then used a shelack to seal it. It can get sticky in the summer but wax helps that. I estimate the neck at 500. Well, not anymore because it was my first fret rounding so it's not perfect. It has a very cheap body that is particle board but that serves a purpose to me, it makes it very close to a hollowbody in sound and so I put a single humbucker and a single volume knob with no caps and it rocks! If you read this far, I had also put my fretzilahhh name on it and I sold it but then a whole year later they guy that took it called me and said that he still wanted an acoustic and hadn't played fretzilah so he would like to trade me back. So I go it back. Lol😂 too funny! I didn't really want to sell it but I got a killer Schecter corsair for it
Hey Ranman! Cheers mate😀👍 Lots to unpack here! The current Squier contemporary series are all 12" with full thickness bodies, but they're an aquired taste i suppose. Your projects sound awesome! I'm envious of your skillz 😎👌 "Shatoyance" New word for me - cheers 😀👍 Also... Schecter Corsair - That's such a cool guitar - I remember looking at those as a Starcaster alternative 😎👌 Thanks again mate 🍻
@@stevecassidyguitar ,aye, for sure, lots to say there. Didn't know about the newer contemporary. I have a 86 bullet 1 contemporary stratocaster (beast!) And thanks, my skills have greatly improved as I've worked on over 40 guitar's in the last year and a half. I'd love to hear you say that word too a few time's. Tee hee 😆. I sold the Corsair the next day for a Joe pass emperor pro 2.
@@ranman58635 Just one day with the Corsair was enough! 😂👍 40 Guitars in 18months is impressive - I'd call that a crash course. I wish I had time and balls to do the same - would save a fortune! Good on ya mate 😎👍
@@stevecassidyguitar haha, she was sweet but too nice. I was about to become homeless and a black guitar that nice didn't fit the picture. Nor did the Joe, it sat in the case waiting to be loved. I did the frets and it was a joy to have but I needed a home so I sold the Joe and bought a Yurt. For the next 5 months I'm in a shed that was retrofitted for temporary shelter. I'm lucky really. I still have 6 guitar's including my vintage set of stratocasters and a Telecaster. Times are different now.
I'm American, but I love Harley Benton. I have three Amarok-7s, my Bassist plays HB, and I'm looking at getting an ST Modern(and possibly an Amarok-6 or BT). I seen the Phil video the other day, seen that question, never seen your videos before I seen this recommended. Subbed, good video. I'm a bit flatter of a fan. 12-16" sounds perfect to me.
Thanks for the sub mate 😀🙏 Your band could enquire about getting a HB endorsement 😀👍 I'm keen to try the ST Modern too. Even though I'm almost certain I wont like the neck - Still want to check one out 🙈
If you weren't so far, I'd offer a good trade for my barely touched player series Strat. I don't like the 9.5 that much, it's good for the cowboy chords and some country, but a tele would work best for that anyways. I didn't think of that, it'd be a good idea. The other guitarist might even be getting an HB. @@stevecassidyguitar
@@jackbootshamangaming4541 Very kind of you to offer mate 😀👍 But yeah distance is definitely a factor 😆 I've not touched my USA strat since I got my Jet guitars either tho 🤯
I never played a HB. I’ve mostly tried 12” or compound 12”-16” guitars. I once tried a classical fretboard when my sister briefly took guitar lessons (and I knew nothing lol) that was clearly way too wide and flat for my stubby fingers - but she has bear paws cause she’s 4” taller than I am, lol. Since taking up guitar, I’ve come to understand that there is a benefit to different radiuses depending on the neck shape, body type, scale length, etc. For people who tend to play the same type of music more or less, their playing style isn’t likely to change too much and they’ll lean more towards wanting the same types of specs that affect playability on every guitar. Someone like me who is a more varied player may want different specs depending on the type of music, types of chords shapes and/or leads. Factor in hand shapes/sizes, and it becomes a biggest mess! All I can say is that HB are not doing themselves a favor by only selling 12” radius necks on guitars with body shapes that have traditionally been offered at 9.5” or below. I don’t see why they can’t offer many of their current models with a choice of neck radius. I agree that they should not make guitars with 9.5” necks based upon vintage spec guitars. That’s going backwards, unless they just offer a couple of models like that. New 9.5” guitars should have all the modern appointments like any other neck radius - it’s pretty silly to assume that 9.5” or less means it’s all boomers buying them because lots of middle age and young folk want those as well. Not every young person wants or is able to be Tim Henson with super clean shredder stuff, lol. Options are always a good thing. I am confident a limited run of 9.5” modern spec guitars on Strats, Tele, and other Fender style shapes would sell out no problem and quickly be made into a regular product. I’d also like to chuck up another suggestion while on the subject of adding options that work for more people. How about some HB Fender style guitars that were traditionally always 25.5” offered as short scales?! Lots of people can’t or don’t prefer 25.5” and would much rather have a Tele or Strat that’s 24.75” - because the next size down are the kiddie guitars, and that’s often not suitable for most adults. Not suggesting to replace one for the other - again, just add a choice so people can get what suits them! I realize it’s a bit of a gamble, but I am sure HB would be better off with offering variety than boxing themselves into a single guitar variant no matter what guitar they produce.
Wow! Marsha - Thank yo so much for the time to type this well thought out comment. 😀🙏 I think your idea of shorter scale versions of classics is fantastic!! 😀👌 I'd even suggest 24" 😁 I could see an original product like that could be the kind of thing that could define a smaller company and get them known. Looking at Harley Benton, Jet, Fazley, Eart, Eatcoast, SoloKing, Antiquity, G4M, etc... They're all producing great stuff (imo) and are really competitive, but a lot of them are doing mostly the same things. I think your idea could make one of them really stand out. and it could be a much bigger market/audience than you think! As a Guitar Tutor, I'm always being asked what's the best/size guitar for pupils starting (at all different ages and sizes) and I've been recommending the same stuff for years. But there's a middle ground of around 11- 14 years old where these could be perfect! Especially at 24" and if they're affordable, as many may grow out of them and graduate on to full size. Then like you say, there is the market of people who love the fender designs but can't do the 25.5" scale length. Great Shout Marsha! 😀👌 I hope someone with some clout sees your comment 👍
First video of yours I've ever seen , but the title suggested you were in my range of budget 😃 so I let it play. I have never given much thought to fretboard radius. I don't really get to have an opinion about it because I'm a baritone player and just finding 27" scale guitars is hard enough without thinking about that . However you got me thinking and finding out what radius my guitars are. They all turn out to be 12" radius... except one. That one is the first electric guitar I ever bought , a 1983 squier strat' (standard 25.5 scale) on that guitar I'm so comfortable and songs just fly out of my fingers, all clear and well articulated. Turns out it's 7.5" radius! I never knew why it was so amazing and you may have pinpointed something... something I can do nothing about but ... well you definitely have my interest. good work.
Thank ya kindly mate for taking the time to comment 😀🙏 I also have a vid on my Baritone Partscaster 😁 ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-ImDyLP_tOZw.html and I've just recently picked up an Eastcoast (Andertons) 27" Baritone or £99! great fun! 😀 7.25" though eh? Nice! Definitely worth exploring/experimenting and trying out some other models 😀👍
ah Steve, looks like you've opened a new can of worms here. For S and T types 9.5" and single cuts 12" not something I've given alot of thought too, until you mentioned it. But i'm not keen on the flatter radius fretboards. Great video.
Thank you mate! 😀🙏 Your preferences mentioned are the same as mine 👍 This was basically the goal of this vid - 1 was get HB thinking about offering more radius options (particulalry 9.5" 😜) And... Just bring fretboard radius to peoples attention who may not have thought about it much before. I'm no expert, it's took me 25 years of playing to discover my preference and it's been a game changer. So thought I should share it and potentially save someone else 25 years 😂 So i'm glad your mulling it over mate 😀👍
I agree completely. I recently risked buying a Harley Benton with a 14” (almost) radius neck. I tried over a few days to get used to it, but my reservations proved correct, and I returned it. It was also that I realised I prefer single coils to humbuckers and a tele shape to a prs shape, but the radius was the dealbreaker for me, I couldn’t gel with it.
Nice! 😀🙏 At least you tried it - now you know 👍 That's what it's all about with these affordable guitars, It makes it easier for us to explore and experiment 😀👍 - I prefer Single coils too 😁👌
9.5 for me I think I fell in love with strats.. But oh boy I love your videos for mainly two reasons . First one is your great content and the way you approach things , second one is when I listen I almost believe I'm fluent with Scottish accent, and for a french guy it's a long shot 😂 And btw talking about jet guitars ....after seeing your js 300 review and discussed with you in the comments I ended up finding a wonderful js300 sunburst and the seller threw a Nux mighty amp in the deal for 100€.... Sor far an absolute steal 😁 Every one is happy, me and my girlfriend 😂. Cheers mate keep on rocking 🤘
Then there is the matter of the profile of the back of the neck. It's just as important as the radius. If the neck it too thick players with smaller hands have a hard time hitting chords and playing single note runs, scales or arpeggios. They're both important. Also the size of the body and the weight are factors that make a guitar comfortable to play.
100% mate 👍 Don't get me started on neck profiles 🙈 That's for another vid for another day 😜 That's the thing... It's not just fretboard radius - like you say, neck profile plays a part along with fret size/height/material, nut width, string spacing, neck relief, saddle height, playing style, size of players hands, fingers etc.... Fretboard radius is just something that was on my mind, that is less often discussed 🤓👍
I have a Strat which had a 7.25 inch radius. Over time, I found that I didn't like it, as it made bends on the high frets difficult. I decided to just radius the "frets" to 9.5 inches as a test, and found that I like that much better. I have other guitars with a flatter radius, which I also enjoy. What I definitely don't like is a 7.25 inch radius, and will avoid them.
Great stuff mate! At least you know what you don't like 😀👍 You're already a massive step ahead of where I was in my first 25 years of playing 🙈 and massive respect for re-rediusing your frets yourself 😎👌
One of the reasons I've never got involved with HB is the lack of choice on radius so big shout out for trying to get HB to consider expanding the ranges on offer. I totally agree on the JETS, necks are incredible and think they have got some very good products. Great vid BTW.
Thank ya mate! It took me a couple of weeks to make this vid, a few times during the process, I was thinking... "am I just mental? 🤔" So glad you feel the same way! 😆🙏 #Validation
I'm mostly a bassist, but for guitar I don't really have much of a preference. I have two strats. One is 10-16" and the other is 9.5". I like them both.
You're not alone mate 😀👍 - There's many great players in the "no preference" category. I wish i was in that category too! Although, it's probably better for my wallet to have "some" restrictions 😜👍
I think neck shape and (certainly for acoustics) string spacing have more effect on what I like. I’ve played old Strats that Inlike with 7.25 but also Gibsons with 12”. Maybe I’m easily pleased :)
That's it mate - some people just aren't sensitive to it at all. I wish I was in that camp 😀 Although it's better for my wallet to have some restrictions 😜
I’m with you. 9.5” on ST and T style guitars and 12” on G-brand style guitars. Jet though? Bah, they don’t appreciate the left handed players so I’m with HB on brand loyalty but must admit that Sire is really killing it with their left handed offerings.
Nice one 😎👍 What Jet models would you like to see as lefties? They're gonna be at Birmingham guitar show - so I can ask 😃 I can see 3 colour options of the JS400 in LH.and 3 colour options of the JT300. Just noticed on their website they don't say which models have LH variants either 🧐
All my HBs are 12 and I get on with them. The Sawtooth superstrat I sold was a 16 and it actually pained me to play it more than an hour at a time. I've noticed HB cutting down on the available models- the number has dropped from 371 to 356. I have a feeling their sales haven't been as good as they've wanted. Crazy shipping fees now keep me away from considering it as a $250 CAD guitar translated to $500 CAD after shipping taxes and duties.
Well spotted Cal 👍 I didn't realise they had been reducing offerings. There's bound to be a new load incoming though I'd imagine, especially as it's NAMM week
They are also releasing new models all the time, so maybe some old ones just have to go. I only can find 351 different models 5 hours later. I noticed a Strat model disappearing, instead there wil lbe new ones shortly. Also some of the old 7 and 8 strings are gone, as well as some 25th models.
@@tostrmofo6686 What really annoys me about the Thomann/Harley Benton stuff is if you want to search Harley Benton Electric Guitars by "new products" it's juts brings up random older guitars they've put into new "packs" with amps n' cases etc - but the website recognises these as new products. You have to scroll a few pages to get to the actual newest models. Or maybe I'm missing something with the filters 🙈
I have several HB guitars and I enjoy them. I have the ones I want and don't have any plans of purchasing any more but..... a 9.5 may change my mind. I have also been dissappointed in the fact they only offer 12'' at this point and that limitation has casued me to stop my buying of HB guitars. Still like them!
This is pretty much exactly how I feel too mate. 👍 Although I'll probably end up still grabbing the ST modern when it comes out, just to see what it's all about 🙈
Have a Fame Forum Classic iv 12 inch radius Schecter PT Pro Black 14 inch radius Fender Strat USA Pro 9.5 radius Love my Schecter for the metal side of things but my favourite guitar by far is the Fender The neck is the most important part of the guitar for me so the radius has to be important also therefore I must be in the 9.5 club Ha who new 😊😮🎸 The Jet in the video is savage 👍
Great video, Steve! One of my local shops has now even stopped putting radii in the specs, so I thought I was the only poor soul who has a preference! It matters to me at least! 9.5 to 12 MAX. Thank you sir!
Thank ya so much Steve! 😀🙏 Actually, not knowing the radius could be a great test 🤔 I've got so staunch in my views, that I should try to rule out the placebo effect. I'd love to do a blind test on this. But It would be impossible for me to do on my own with my own guitars that I already know 🙈
Love the video! I totally agree with you about Jet guitars, and 9.5 inch is my favourite radius. Having said that, I've just bought a second hand PRS SE 24 standard. That has a 10 inch radius and I've not been able to put it down since it arrived! It's very comfortable, plays like a dream and isn't too heavy either. Can't wait for the signature model!😂😂 😂😂
Thank you mate! 😀🙏 My Mate has a PRS Ce 24 with I think it's a "wide thin?" neck - I did like that profile but never spent enough time with it know for sure. Glad you're enjing yours tho! A belated HNGD to ya! 😀
the number 1 thing I'd like to see from Harley Benton is that they also list scale lengths and radii in Inches. Converting everything so I understand it every time is tiring.
Ha! Yes I've been thinking about that for a while (planning on making a vid about this). Not specifically Harley Benton, but how us Guitarists often interchange between metric and imperial whenever we feel like it 😂 Like Radius is always inches, but nuts are always in mm etc. Could be a fun vid - I'm certainly guilty of not sticking to one or the other 😂
Different radiuses for different purposes for me. 14" and above for shred, 12" is a good all rounder, 9.5" is an even greater all rounder, 7.25" for the blusey/jazzy stuff
9.5 and 12 are both fine by me. I own just one HB now, a TE62. It has the 12 inch radius but the neck is so great. Ive owned a couple of tele's but this is my favorite ever. Ive contemplated getting the Jet 300 (I think it's called that) but that one doesn't have a string through body... That bothers me more than the fretboard radius 😂
Ah yeah the JT300 is pretty great tbf. For some reason the lack of string through bothers me too, because I've always believed it means "more sustain" but I don't know if that's even true or just coventional wisdom 🤷♂️ There is a camp that prefers string through and claim that has the best sustain. It's almost as polarising as tonewood 🙈 Unfortunately the next one up with string through (Jet JT350) almost doubles in price 😬
@@stevecassidyguitar haha yeah very relatable! I don't know man, I think everything with guitars is about feeling rather than 'evidence' that one thing is better than some other thing. All I know is I fuckin love cheap guitars and I will never stop buying and selling and buying and selling 😅🤘
I’m not experienced enough to notice the fretboard radius, but out of the four I’ve got here two are 12 two are 14 inch, I seem to drift towards the 12’s more , my Epiphone and my Harley Benton T20 are the ones I’ll pick up first when I fancy a quick twang or going to try to learn something new, I’m definitely considering buying another Harley Benton, been eyeing up the SC 550 II ( in silver burst 🤠) anyway, great video Steve, some good info there 👍👍🤠🎸
Thank ya Chuck! 😀🙏 It might not be anything to do with experience mate - You might just be in the "I don't have a preference" camp - many great experienced players are - Like Dan from TPS. I wish I was in this camp too, although it's probably better for my wallet to have some restrictions 😂👍
@@stevecassidyguitar having my eye on cheaper guitars certainly helps my wallet that’s for sure , my most expensive purchase so far is £125 for a used Vintage vs6 sg 😂😂
So of course I like fretboard radius and have preferences. 17" all the way. I also like Jacksons/Charvels 12-16" compound radius. On my Teles I like 12". My fingers are quite short. As for Thomanns sales stats: Top 1+2 are HB Teles, 3 is a HB Strat. 4 Gibson LP Standard 50s, 5,6 HB JA and SC, 7 Squier 40th Anniv Tele, 8-14 different HBs. Some with 14" btw. 15 Gibson SG Standard 61. Completing the Top 20 are another 3 Harley Bentons, a Squiere Affinity Strat and a Larry Carlton S7 (9,5"). I think I prefer the flatter fretboards because I just prefer slim necks overall and those most of the time just come with the flat radius as well. Remember how I loved the Jet neck with 9,5" radius? Seems it was just some kind of honeymoon period. After playing more Ibanezes over the last few weeks I wanted to give it a ride and absolutely hated it. With all the modifications I did to the guitar it is still awesome, but my hands just don't want to play it. I might try to shape the neck and make it slimmer. I'm still out of budget because the christmas gift to myself, but I can't wait to get my hands on one of the new HB strats.
The New ST Modern sounds right up your street mate 😎👍 Shame about the Jet, but at least you want it thinner - that's far easier than wanting more mass (chunkier) - It's do-able! and thanks for checking the HB sales 😀👍 I got too lazy to check for this vid... and clearly forgot about the Amarok and fan fret stuff 🙈 - Whoops! 😬 (But they don't really exist in my mind 😜) My Beef is with all the F types 🥸
@@stevecassidyguitar So I finally started thinning the Jet's neck. I've been carving for about an hour and it turned out nicely. After I was done I decided to document the refining and refinishing process with a few photos. So if you are interested let me know where I can send you those. Of course if you like them you might use them in a video or on stream. Next step is to move the guitar from my couch to my dining tab.. I mean work bench. I will sand it down, maybe use some Montypresso on it and finish it with tru oil. Maybe after that I will satin it, depending on how it feels. Oh it was the first time I did something like that and even managed to not cut myself. Very proud of my luck while being very irresponsible with a very sharp knive xD
@@tostrmofo6686 Good on ya mate! And congrats on your success! 😃👍 I admire your bravery 💪. You can send pics to my email.. which is on the channel home page. You just click the txt that says "guitar stuffery...." It should open another box then you'll have to prove you're not a robot - if you can 🤖
@@stevecassidyguitar That seems kind of hard to do, I'll try my best. I plaxyed a bit before going on to the next step and realized I'm not done yet with reprofiling. You'll get a nice little mail when I'm done.
I’m right there with you Steve ,9.5” is a great radius option for me too. I have Strats with a 7.25” radius and Les Paul’s with 12” which are great guitars as are my Strat’s with a compound radius. However, I play a lot with my thumb over the neck so I ‘don’t get on’ with flatter radii over 12” e.g. Ibanez wizard and the Charvel speed necks. I sold my Charvel Pro Mod DK because it was literally a pain to play!
I hear ya mate! I've got a pro mod too and I absolutely love it... except for the neck 😬 I can't get my funk on with it. But not ready to part with it yet - it's too cool... but I never play it! AAAAAaaaaargh! I'm gonna have to sell it eh? 😭
@@stevecassidyguitar I went through the same process with my Pro Mod Steve, I loved everything about the guitar other than the neck so I held onto it for about 18-months ‘trying to bond with it’ but I just didn’t and wasn’t playing it. Sold it on eBay, the buyer got a great deal, the guitar was in absolutely mint condition at a great price 🤣. For me it’s particularly the neck profile that is the key to me gelling and bonding with a guitar. I’m even happy to find a less expensive guitar I like with a neck that initially feels ‘too chunky, ‘Too much wood’ means I can re-profile the neck to the profile size and shape I prefer. Most people will not want to do this on their high end guitars, particularly if you ever want to sell them, that’s why brands like HB, Jet, Fazley, Eart etc are great modding platforms. Problem is once neck radii get flatter manufacturers tend to make necks thin. I’m hoping HB have stuck with a neck profile similar to the fusion’s on the forthcoming ST Modern Plus. I’ve got one each of the HB fusion 1, 2, & 3 and the neck profiles on the 1 & 3 are fantastic I really like the fusion 2 as well it has a slightly chunkier neck profile and the most amazing flame figuring on the roasted maple neck. In fact the flame is way better on my HB than on my Suhr which according to Suhr’s spec sheet has a AAA roasted maple neck! The Fusion 2 is an HSH copy of Suhr’s signature Guthrie Govan model. My Fusion 2 cost 10 times less than my Suhr Classic S! Don’t get me wrong the Suhr is a superb guitar but it should be at that price. Then comes the juxtaposing question, is it 10 times better than my Harley Benton’s the answer is NO! I will buy an ST Modern Plus hoping it’s a ‘keeper’, I’ve got modding plans to change the pickups and add a mid-boost circuit and get it as close as I can to the sound and playability of the Tyler Studio Elite Superstrats (it will be a bit more budget friendly than paying £6500 for a USA Tyler 🤣). Have you had any ‘heads up’ on when the ST Modern Plus models will go on sale? I know HB said some time in the first quarter of this year, I was hoping they would launch them this weekend to coincide with NAMM. Keep up the great work Steve, loving the channel and subbed a while back.👍
I also feel their modern C neck is ridiculously thick, I had 2 fusion iii guitars that were just under 24mm at the 12th fret and were D shaped because of the thick shoulders
Yeah.... That's another thing... Although I don't have a problem with the fusion neck profile, I know what you mean... It's not the same as a Fender modern C. But "modern C" seems to vary quite a bit from brand to brand. The EART's I had were supposed to be compound C to D (iirc) But It didn't feel like a C at any part of the neck (imo).
@stevecassidyguitar Hi thanks for your reply, I unfortunately grew up playing 80,s super strats so 19mm slim profile necks with jumbo frets so all these lovely budget Jet, Soloking and harley benton,s as super as they are I get hand fatigue after a while 😔
@@eoinjames4018 Same here mate - my first "proper" guitar was an Ibanez RG470 😃 (wizard ii neck I think🤔). I pretty much learned 90% of my "chops" on that thing. Got a Strat in 04/05 and can't go back now. I have a Charvel with a slim/flat neck and same as you.... That gives me hand fatigue now 🤷♂️ There's still loads of cool affordable guitars out there with thin shreddy necks too though 😃👍
Aye mun, I too suffer from FRS here in Brisbane. I used to luv 7.25 with 11s and the action too high for normal mortals on a Strat plugged into a Super Reverb, mun. 10 tens years of psych therapy and I'm down to 9-42s on 12" rad. FRS is real and unrecognised...
So I started on a 12 inch rad Squier Tele Contemporary having tried flatter Ibanezes. So I was always aware of radius, but didn't like the ibanezes. The I fell in love with an Epiphone Coronet, 12 inches again. But I am a beginning player, and I was finding barre chords hard, harder than they should be. Then, my tutor suggested I try a rounder fretboard. Borrowing my son’s Jaguar I found Barre chords much easier. So while I was looking for a more traditional tele I was VERY interested in fretboard circumference. The 7 inch very trad ones were awful, I kept pulling the high end off the edge! In the end, I found a lovely 10-14 inch composite fret board on my FGN Iliad.
Nice! 😎👍 Have you got any guitars with that spec? Sounds like a PRS 24 for the scale length and radius, but I don't think PRS do any SS frets. I think the Harley Benton CST 24 would give you the SS frets, but I think it has a flatter radius than 10" 😬
12" is my favorite, especially if I have to do refrets. 10-14" compound is my new favorite. Nothings lower than 12" for me or else action gets compromised.
Great vid Steve. I get what your saying about fav radius. Different radius might make you play differently, which is no bad. HB should offer a choice, but if that means a different radius means resetting the jig the price might go up.
Thank ya mate! 😀🙏 That's a very good point well made too 😎👍 I'm sure HB could still remain competitive with thier pricing though - they seem to be known for that more than anything else. Great quality for more than fair prices (usually) 😁👍
The prevalence of guitars with a 9 5" fretboard radius is not strictly speaking correlated to their popularity, hut more likely the sheer number of Strats and Strat knockoffs currently for sale on the open market (new or used). I personally prefer a 20" radius on my own instruments, which I build myself. If a customer wanted anything different, I would give them their wish.
You're probably right - but that wouldn't fit the "agenda" of this vid 😂😜🙈 Re the strat knock offs though... "most" of the "affordable" ones are not 9.5". I did take aim at Harley Benton, mainly because I do like the company a lot and they're one of the biggest, but most affordable strat knock offs are 12" with the exception of Jet Guitars current offerings. Mad respect to you though mate for making your own 😎👌 I wish I had the patience and skills to try this
Steve, hardly any Fender guitar with a spec 9.5 inch radius actually has a 9.5 inch radius frets. I measure the radius on every single guitar I work on. At the Fender factory they over radius the frets. Although the actual board is usually on spec, 9.5 inch, the frets are almost always over radiused.
Mate! Thanks for this 😀👍. This is something that's been on my mind recently. But I didn't know for sure 👍 I've just measured the radius on my Jet (which is a super close Fender clone - and it's the guitar I have currently with no strings on #lazy 🙈) The board is bang on 9.5" and you're right enough - the frets are showing tiny gaps at the ends using a 9.5" Gauge, but not radiused as much as 7.25". Unfortunately I don't have a gauge size inbetween. 😞 I'd be very interested in an experiment of a 9.5" fretboard Vs a 12" fretboard both with the frets radiused at 9.5", to see If I could feel any difference. 🤔 Thanks again! 🙏
@@stevecassidyguitar Due to the over-radiused frets on Fender 9.5" fretboards I am actually able to sell Level, Crown & Polish services on brand new Fender guitars. I call it LCP with Radius Correction and I charge more for it than for a "standard" LCP service. So, when people spend $850+ on a brand new Fender, some spend and additional $300+ in my shop to make the guitar perform better. The biggest problem with over-radiused frets is that one has to raise the action bit higher, in order to be able to bend strings without fretting out. So, when someone brings to me a brand new Fender for a setup and starts talking to me about low action, I already know we'll be discussing a $300+ job. I have a friend, who used to build guitars at the Taylor factory for 20 years and is now running his own private repair shop in Texas, who doesn't even offer the LCP option. At his shop the only option is to do a complete re-fret on a brand new Fender. I also offer this option, which is why I say $300+. It simply depends if the customers want to have the frets seated. Sometimes it is impossible to seat them properly, due to flexing. In those instances a re-fret is in fact the only reliable option, so, depending on the fretboard (maple vs. rosewood or pau ferro) the "setup" will start being in the $700 range, yes, on a brand new guitar. And that's only if people want their brand new guitars to be setup the way that some customers expect them to be set up. Hence the old Chinese Proverb, "There's np such thing as a $850 Fender", LOL. I have actually been planning to make a detailed video about all this. I know it's likely to land me a nice Fender sponsorship deal, LOL.
I love a 12" radius, it's a nice compromise between the rounder traditional radius choices and the flat shreddy bois. I will play anything from 9.5-16 though, deffo not a fan of 7.25 especially with vintage frets. Horrible skinny little things will put me off a guitar
Compound is the way. My Charvel and Strat both have these. Works for me. But somehow PRS works great too. No idea why. 9.5 makes me dig in and that might be the best for (so-called) "feel."
Who knows mate 🤷♂ Tis different strokes for different folks, very much down to a combo of ones anatomy and playing style - I think 🤔 I can't get on with my Charvel compound (12-16" I think) but I'm not against compound in general, I'd love to try 9.5-12" compound 😀
Thank ya mate! 😀🙏 I think the only 10" I've tried is on a PRS, but the neck profile wasn't for me (fussy git🙈). Is there any 10" radius S or T types you could recommend?
@stevecassidyguitar Hi Steve, the only 10 inch I have is the prs se tremonti, very comfortable to play similar to a strat neck I would say. The 9.5 just seems the best compromise Cheers Stephen, Stirling
I wouldn't mind trying out a 12" radius fretboard on a strat, but i'm afraid a HB is to heavy.....my Jets are all so balanced and between 3,2 and 3,5 kgs! Treating my latest, and second, JS-300, to all gold hardware! Should look great on black and tortoise guard😜🎸🤘🏼🎸
Will never sell my Bentons - SC-450 P90 GT and JB-75MN SB Vintage. BUT - having watched and subbed here I'm now contemplating a Jet JS-400 Strat copy to try out a bit of that 9.5" radius action.
Very Cool, Thankyou Steve. Interesting, Informative and Entertaining Video. I have such a wide range of mostly Budget guitars, I really don't have a preference of Neck Radius ..... yet, although I do 'notice' the difference. I have a Sterling by Music Man with an Asymmetrical Neck and it is my Favorite neck in my Collection, truly stunning guitar and the Neck is SO Comfortable. All the Best, Cheers
Thank ya so much GRB! 😀🙏. I think sometimes when you start to "tune in" to the feel of radius, it can take a bit of time with the instrument (at least an hour) then swapping out to a different radius guitar and doing the same until it becomes noticeable. But I admit there are so many other factors, the neck shape/profile, fret size, scale length, string spacing. I spent a lot of time over lockdown experimenting, to the point where I can identify what works for me quite quickly now. There's a couple of chord shapes and licks I try that tell me straight away. But now it's even quicker... I know I don't like flat radius so I don't even bother trying them now 😂
When my later-in-life GAS started I tended to not want to spend a lot on instruments - cos money. For many years all the guitars I had were 12" to 14" radius. I really wanted to try a 9.5" radius. I eventually did, and it's my preferred radius! At some point I'd like to try a 7.25" radius neck
Yeah, I'm a metal guy. Was lucky enough to find an '89, and '91 ESP M2 customs that were 16" from the factory. When I re-fretted the '91, I flattened it out even more- I love it. I do have big hands but it is more to do with my fingering. I don't really curl my fingertips as much as most people. Most of the newer "slim" necks feel like a ukulele to me. @@stevecassidyguitar
As long as it's not 7.25", I don't care much. Having said that, while I prefer 12-16", on a Strat or Tele it kinda has to be 9.5" for me. So yeah, I can definitely feel it.
That's pretty much where I'm at too mate 👍 On F types (Fender types) it's gotta be 9.5". On Non F types 9.5" usually isn;t an option so it would have to be the next least flat option for me.
Great video Steve my HB has 12 inch radius and to be honest I’m unsure what difference a 9.5 makes to the playability of a guitar. Maybe you can explain in a follow up video or on a live stream. Ps was that Harley Benton that called you or Harley Davidson 😅
Thank ya mate! 😀🙏 I'm not sure what use my preference would be to anyone else, I did mention this briefly in a live stream. But there are certain chord shapes I find more work to get clean on a flatter board. I'm primarily a funk rhythm player, and the 9.5" just feels right for that - to me. 😂 It might have been Harley Davidson - I didn't even ask! 🙈
I think taking your conclusion from those Reverb stats might be skewed somewhat by cost, Gibson's typically going for more than the average Fender. Personally I'm not to bothered by radius differences myself, it would only become an issue for me if I had to start taking the action up to avoid bends choking out up at the dusty end, and since I don't really do a lot of that kind of playing, it's never really been an issue for me. Neck thickness on the other hand is a thing I care about; I much prefer a fatter neck. Thin necks for me, even ones with rolled edges, have too sharp an angle at the edge of the fretboard and they feel a bit too small for my liking.
I hear ya mate - I'm well aware the stats are far from perfect 😜 Very good point Re the cost factor though 👍 I probably could have made my point better if I removed all the non-F type Guitars frrom the list and only talked about HB's F types. Then it would basically be ALL of the alternatives to HB are 9.5" and under 😁 Also agree about the neck profiles. I go for a modern C - Neck profile is another 20min rant vid for another day though 😜 Cheers mate! 🍻
TBH, mate, my personal preference is 12 or 14 inch radius. Anything up to 16 is fine really. It's a bit odd because I was mostly a Fender guy until 5 or 6 years ago. As for stuff I wish HB would do... An updated Fusion III kind of thing with a slightly sleeker body and including a 7-string in that range. Also, a decent headless with a good bridge. The Dullahan (sp?) didn't quite get there.
BTW, I've had a bunch of HB guitars over the last 10 or 12 years, mostly as mod platforms. I currently have the 25th Anniversary Fusion III, which was amazing value.
Nice! I wen't the opposite way, spent most of my youth attempting to shred on an Ibanez RG470, but became a Fender guy in 2004. Now I play F style guitars - but try to avoid Fender (that's a video for another day tho 😂) Great shout having a 7 string Fusion - It probably wouldn't be for me but it makes a lot of sense to have one in the line up 👍 I think that would sell very well. Cheers mate 🍻
The Fusions are unbelievable guitars 😎👌 You'd be over £1k easy for that kind of spec sheet from the big companies. Also love that Firemist - so classy. Looks way cooler than a Gold top imo
@@stevecassidyguitar The colour in real life was a nice surprise. I'm not that bothered about cosmetics and I chose the 25 for the Tesla pups and the decent free bag. I was expecting kind of tacky gold but the firemist is actually really nice. I did swap the pickups out in the end but the Teslas were nice. Nicer than Roswells to my ear, but not quite for me long term. Harley Benton defnitely deliver a lot if you choose the right models. For me the Fusions and Amaroks stand out.
@@Dead-EyeMetal Totally 😎👌 I think once you get to £250 and up pretty much all the HB stuff is great (not always the pickups - but an easy fix as you know 👍)
I had no idea HB only did 12" radius I wasn't really interested in any of their fender style instruments to begin with but it puts me off more. They are on the short list to explore when I eventually buy some kind of Les Paul /single cut kind of thing.
Well they did until.. thes enew compound ones come out. But yeah I accept flatter on non F types, as there's pretty much no other choice 😜. I'm with you - still contemplating the right single cut - It could still be a Harley Benton
@@clairbeeguitar I hadn't seen any of them - Just having a look now - Cheers! 😀🍻 there's a few very cool looking models there. The Surfmaster looks very interesting! (I'd have to change the neck though 🙈)
@@stevecassidyguitar Get the SC DLX Gotoh. You might like the Shell Pink (the blue one looks stunning as well) and the radius is between 9,5" and 10". Stainless steel frets, extremely nice binding, TUSQ XL nut. the neck was a bit chunky for me, might be perfect for you. I'm convinced you will like it as a single cut. Ask them if they can pick a light one for you, they may or may not do so. I have a feeling it depends on who is processing your order.
I agree, the more modern radius is not my favourite, I really prefer a more vintage radius (between 9 and 12). I wished they used a more traditional radius.
I agree, the more modern radius is not my favourite, I really prefer a more vintage radius (between 9 and 12). I wished they used a more traditional radius.
I agree, the more modern radius is not my favourite, I really prefer a more vintage radius (between 9 and 12). I wished they used a more traditional radius.
Still love a good compound radius, but the 12" HB sounds a good shout, been looking for a modder (not until after the geetar show though) or a kit to really go to town on ;) Awesome stuff as always sir, and it does make a big defference to how they feel, that and neck profile (stand by my weedy little hands cant handle the super chonk that some offer) ;) Hope alls well :)
Thank ya mate! 😃👍 If you're into kit Guitars.... Have you checked out "Rafael Jesus" channel he's just started getting into kit Guitars but is learning lots along the way and sharing. I think he's into Coban kits at the moment. Worth a look mate 😃 I'd like to try one someday too 🤓👍
Great shout -If it was not too expensive, I'd certianly try one just to see what it's all about 😀 Fazley had a couple of very affordable Scalloped models but they're discontinued now (and they were strats) - But yeah... there's probably a gap i the market for an affordable scalloped Guitar 👍
I do NOT like a very "rounded" fret board radius. 10" is about as "round" as I like....and up to a 14" is pretty good in my hands. One of the Major Reasons that I have never been able to "bond" with the "F" Branded Guitars, I guess. Aren''t we glad there are "choices"? (Yes! I love my Harley Benton CST guitars ....and my HB-35 PLUS)
S-type = Strat body, T-type = Tele body, F-type = Firebird body. Not saying it's wrong, but I've never heard "F-type" as a blanket term for Fender-style guitars before
Soz 😬I have failed you. 😞 I was trying to keep the vid under 20mins 🙈 But.. It still kinda works tho right? 😀 I made sure to include a Fender headstock in the shot, and point to it too. This was all in an effort to save time in the vid - but now I'm over explaining it 😂🙈 Still tho - cheers for keeping me in line 😀🍻
Im a relative beginner with to many guitars. cant say i have a preferance though. i have various harley bentons tele style and les paul styles. along with squier strats teles and a jazzmaster. also a larry carlton sire strat. i seem to pick up different models withut really noticing. that goes for acoustics as well. enjoyed the vid as always but i guess my comment is no help to you.
It's all useful info mate - thank you! 😀🙏 It could be nothing to do with you being a beginner and everything to do with you just not being sensitive to it. Many great players don't care at all. I wish I was in that camp 😀 Although it's better for my wallet to have some restrictions 😂👍
Oh 😮never had a jet looked at them a few times tae, also only bought a HB single pickup PBass. I have Squire Gretsch and Epi guitars so I’m a 9.5 guy I suppose 🤷🏼♂️ great thought provoking content. Well done 👍🏻 won’t be buying an HB 35plus noo anyway 12” radius no for me.
The ST62 is the one I've always fancied - great specs and price, and I love that it's a light roasted/caremalised? Maple neck, but the profiel put me off, the modern D and flat radius isn't really becoming of a strat imo 😬. I also can't get used to different profiles, it's the oppopsite for me. Sometimes i'll try something different and think i'll like it, then after longer periods it gets more uncomfortable, had that with the Charvel and HB CST24
We're almost Guitar twins! 😀👍 HSS and Roasted for me too - 9.5" (of course😁). I don't play exclusively thumb over stuff - but I do do it a lot 👍 9's for me though as I'm quite feeble 🙈
Thank you mate! It's getting there - not quite completed this one yet - Hopefully I can get round to it before the end of the year 😬. My mate has an old Artcore Talman Semi Hollow with the trem too. The stock pickups are really dark and muddy, very little clarity. It's like the tone is rolled off permenantly.😬 I'll mention to him about the Gretschbuckers - Cheers 👍🍻
Fantastic vid Steve-o. Thanks for dedicating your time. Personally I've owned 4 basses and one 6 string, all with 9.5". I have small(er) hands and although I've never tried a 12" I can just imagine the difficulties I might encounter. Would have been nice to actually have shown in an extended demo the playing experience between the two and show exactly why you prefer the 9.5". My understanding of what a "radius" is, is the distance (in a straight line) from the center of a circle to its outer circumference. So in terms of the radius measurement of a guitar neck is it saying that if you extended the curvature of a guitar neck into a complete circle it would have a radius of the given measurement, a diameter of 2 * r, and a circumference of C = Pi * d or 2Pi * r? This doesn't really have anything to do with playing the instrument, just curious.
Thank ya mate! 😀🙏 Unfortunatley Maths and shapes, particularly circles, are not my strong points 🙈 (actually maybe it's triangle that have strong points 🤔, Anyway...) I was in the bottom of the bottom math class at school 😂 It's a good suggestion of adding a playing clip demo of the differences. I opted not to, as I was trying to keep the vid under 20mins, and thinking about it, as it's so personal, to do with playing style, technique and anatomy, I thought my preferences wouldn't matter 🤷♂️ But just to elaborate, I have found a way to quickly test it now (for me) There's a few chord shapes, and runs I try that can tell me if it's for me or not. On a 9.5" modern C neck, I can articulate the chords clearly instantly (most of the time), A flatter radius is more effort/work to get all the notes out clearly.
That is to say that you mute or dull the neighboring strings? UFT!!!! I struggle with that even on a 9.5 neck!!!!!! I would suggest that admitting to selling your Harley Bentons in favor of JETS is not the best way to endear yourself to HB!!!! But on the other hand, Thomann/HB is a great customer focused company so hopefully they get the message. You presented a great case by showing the radii of the top selling guitars @@stevecassidyguitar
Well I am not into Harley Benton. But generally it really seems to depend on the kind of guitar. On a strat, I like 9,5. On other guitars they can be flatter. Going back to the acoustic with its flat board is becoming a bit awkward.
It's obvious that any choice is subjective, but I think that with HB's place in the market they simply can't cover the range of radii that we would like them to offer. I tend towards 14, 16 or even 20" but for some rhythm styles, 10" or less are way more comfortable. That said, HB seem receptive to the idea so perhaps?
@@stevecassidyguitar complain away fella, if we don't take the time to comment then nothing gets done and everyone needs to vent :) Pretty sure I did see an instrument recently which was 10-14" compound, but I don't know if it was staggered or conical, and I can't remember who made it. Not very helpful, sorry ^^ Edit: It was Warmoth! They make a 9.5" to 14" compound F-style neck.
@@MercutioUK2006 Nice one cheers for the info 👍 Always fancied a Warmoth, but they're not too cost effective in the UK unfortunatley. The shipping and taxes really bump up the prices 😬
Great point mate 😀👍 Playing style is a huge part of it. I spend a lot of time on Classical guitar too, as 50% of my job is teaching the Classical ABRSM syllabus. String spacing is another massive factor with this style of guitar. The radius doesn't bother me on classical guitar, playing classical pieces as it's suited to the style. But I couldn't get my funk rhythm playing going on a classical, and that's what i play 90% of the time in my band. I need the 9.5" for that 😅
First of all great video , I hope it is appreciated by the named companies. Very funny and educational.As a forever beginner with a small cheap collection,this video was timed perfectly for me. In march '23 I wanted a T type guitar. I looked at Jet, Fazley, and Harley Benton.I bought the Fazley 12 inch radius. I really like playing this guitar however it has a slim C neck which makes a big difference. I bought just recently the Harley Benton Fusion-T HH HT EB OCT B-Stock just because it looks so beautiful, in my opinion, and the price was very interesting, again 12inch radius. However the 12inch radius with the larger jumbo frets exaggerate the radius for me ,compared to to the 12 inch radius on the Outlaw Coyote Fazley. The H.B. also had a much fatter C neck. So to try to improve things I have just finished shaping it to the Fazley neck shape. It is now nicer to play but........... So after all that 12inch for me but slim C neck and not jumbo frets. (However 9.5 might tempt me now that I have experienced the differences.) Thank you for planting the seed.
Thanks ya mate 😀🙏 and good on ya for experimenting and reshaping the neck - Respect 😎👍 I didn't get into it in this vid (I'll save it for future rants) but the neck profile is of course a big deal too and, nut/fretboard width, string spacing, and fret size like you say. Experimenting is the way forward tho! 😀
I think if you are making "stratocaster" guitars you probably should copy the most popular radius. But, if it made the guitars more expensive, then I could see them not doing it, since the competition is so fierce. Also, the more the frets wear, the more you want the radius flatter, if you don't work on them yourself.
I hear ya mate - i don't have enough in depth knowledge of how this all works at the cost choices, labour costs and the factory processes. But as a Layman, I just assume it wouldn't be that much more expensive for say Harley Benton for example to offer a 9.5" radius when they're already offering things like stainless steel frets, roasted necks and compound radius for under £400. My preference fro the 9.5" radius is all about the playing experience, I never took the fret wear into account. Good shout mate 😎👍
Interesting, I've not experienced any problems with the unlevel frets on my Jets. But I have had some seasonal shrinkage (Roasted maple doesn't deliver on the reduced shrinkage and stability claims imo, that goes for Fender, Charvel, Harley Benton, Fazley and Jet.) So yeah, I have had sharp fret ends appear, but it seems to be a seasonal thing. I'm in Scotland, don't know if this climate would have different results to elsewhere 🤷♂️
Check out Harley Bentons SC and DC Specials and Juniors. Nearly perfectly replicated the 60's Gibson neck. Even if it says 60's C it's more like a D. At least on mine. As I was shopping for a LP Junior I only found two with the neck I wanted. The 180 Euro Harley Benton and a 7000 Euro Gibson Custom Shop. I'm very happy with my new Gibson. Just joking...
@@tostrmofo6686 you´re right....but there´s a significant difference between my Harley-Benton sc450 plus and my Epiphone LP100. The HB neck is a medium C in my opinion while the Epi is slim taper D which is much more comfy to me....
Good video and I prefer 12 or 9.5 radius. I think Harley Benton will do a 9.5 radius guitar but they probably need at least 1 year lead in time to make it happen. However I do enjoy my Jackson guitar which is a 16 radius but the profile of the neck makes it very comfortable. More than an Ibanez RG550 which is very flat
Thank ya mate. That's pretty much the same for me too. 9.5" on F types and 12" minimum on anything else 😀👍 That Harley benton/Thomann Livestream was from about 6 months ago - so hopefully not long now 😜
Well Harley Benton have got you covered mate 😁👍 Tis different strokes for different folks though eh? A fair few people here don't have a preferance and there's everything in between. A good mix. A prrety pointless video in hindsight 😂🙈
😂👍 Yup.... I suppose it all depends on your definition of a "Super strat". Some people see it as the original super Strats, like Charvel's hot rodded fenders (before they made their own models) So they could just be like... HSS with hotter pickups and maybe 22 frets. Whereas some people perceive something like an Ibanez with a Floyd rose, 24 frets, and pointier horns a super strat. To me... It's pretty much both and everything in-between 😂
HB F-style fretboard radius is too flat for my taste. Would be nice to see HB making some 7.25, 9.5 inch radius fretboards with jumbo or medium jumbo frets and properly rolled fretboard edges also narrow F-style necks under 42mm would be nice.
Ooooft! Can't argue with that mate (medium Jumbo for me please 😁) - and rolled edges would be great 😎👌 Incidentally the Jets do have "slightly" rolled edges too
No Livestream tonight mate soz - I'd just been using the lives until I catch up with vids. But I've been enjoying the Lives too - so currently looking to find a regular slot for those too 😀👍
@@stevecassidyguitar thanks for the reply mate... you've got great topics for your livestreams. Missed the last couple of ones, would've loved to have a chat with the guys and yourself about favourite finishes/colours, who gives a sh*t about NAMM etc...
@@stevecassidyguitar yeah, it sure is… it’s really nice, but also quite pricey. I’m not going to get one right now after I upgraded my JET-JS400. I AM waiting for the white upgraded JS-300 though 😬 Have you found a Jazzmaster you like?
@@stevecassidyguitar Yeah, its no biggie. Its no "cancer" problem. lol I guess it all comes down to the players preference and how they play and move around the fretboard with their hands. Some folks like a certain size, or shape, or a certain radius. As for me, I don't care. I will LEARN to love and will adapt to what I am playing. A while back I bought an EVH-Wolfgang-Special and that thing has a strange looking , smallish fretboard. Its not only for "metal-shredding", but also good for jazz, blues, Delta-blues with a slider, punk rock and anything else you desire. I also bought a Harley-Benson TE-62cc Telecaster and that thing is totally different. Not only the way it sounds, but the whole neck and fretboard. but somehow. my hands adapt to them after playing for a few minutes. Is it any good? It is an amazing BANG for the buck ! Very cheap but plays great. The only thing it needs is much louder pickups and some brass saddles. One thing that HArley-Benton could start doing is making available different sized fretboards as an option to buy, for those people who which to "Mod" their guitars to their preference.
