mandogryl - Posted - 07/03/2012:  08:09:45

Which do you prefer?

Personally, I have a compound radiiused FB on my mandolin.

I wondered about the rest of you?

Ben Venuti - Posted - 07/03/2012:  09:48:35

I don't notice much difference switching from my radiused fretboards to flat. I had flat for many years and I thought that a radiused fretboard would be very different -probably faster etc. but it wasn't really. I wouldn't make a judgement to purchase a mandolin, for example, on whether it was radiused or not. That would rate very low on the list of considerations when purchasing an instrument. The feel of the neck, tone and general quality of the instrument are much more important to me.

TSSN - Posted - 07/03/2012:  11:40:10

I have never owned one with a radiused fretboard, but I have tried them.  I agree with Ben, it isn't a deal breaker for me either. 

It may have been on this forum or another, but someone else also remarked in a post about how the neck feels in your hand, and some just feel right, like a glove.  Tone is the most critical, but when it comes to secondary considerations like this, the feel of the neck is much more important to me than a radius on the fretboard.

My $0.02...

TI_USER - Posted - 07/03/2012:  20:03:52

My Breedlove has a radius, but I actually prefer flat.  I have never understood the advantage of a radius.  I agree with Ben, I would never use a radius as a consideration for buying any mandolin.

Edited by - TI_USER on 07/03/2012 20:05:23

Terry Allan Hall - Posted - 07/08/2012:  18:47:42

I recall reading in an interview David Grisman mentioning that he had to go to a radiused f'board to help him w/ his tendonitis issues.

jstout - Posted - 07/08/2012:  19:33:50

Radiused just feels better to me like this Collings...........

Ben Venuti - Posted - 07/08/2012:  21:26:06

Grisman had a radiused fretboard installed on "Crusher?" That Collings is about to take a header of that little typewriter shelf!

hisgracecase - Posted - 08/08/2012:  18:30:03

I'm a senior picker just FYI and I
Prefer a flat FB on my mandolins.
Just seems to fit the fingers better.
I always thought for aesthetics the
radiused FB was eye-catching up
close. Enjoy your pickin'. Doc

Edited by - hisgracecase on 08/08/2012 18:31:03