Flat vs radiused fretrboard

[Pedal Steel Mike]

I've got 4 mandolins, 2 with radiused fretborads, 2 with flat ones. The 2 with radiused fretboards are Rigels, and the other 2 are Pac Rim Cheapies, and of course there is a major difference on the overall quality. But I can't really tell an advantage of one style of fretboard over the other. They both seem to work OK.

Anybody have any thoughts on this?

[Stephanie Reiser]

Its all a matter of preference. The old-timers often like to stick to the Gibsons with their flat boards. Many of the custom builders and some manufacturers are now offering radiiused boards. It feels to me to be more ergonomic. I prefer a radiiused fretboard now, and I own one of each. I also like the way they look. But the bottom line is your own personal opinion, since you have two of each. But all in all it is a matter of what you like.

[Wando]

One of my mandos is a Rigel, which has a radius that also appears on the bridge. #Could be my imagination, but it seems a tiny bit harder to cross pick. #Maybe it's a tiny bit better for double stops, like on a violin. #I like a slight radius (I have a flat one that plays great, too), but to me it seems that the overall setup is what really counts.

[Michael H Geimer]

I have one of each, and while I tell the difference between the two styles I don't think one is superior to the other.

Action at the nut and bridge, string pacing, neck width ... these seem to have a more pronounced effect on what I consider playable.

[fatt-dad]

advantage #1) flat fretboards are cheaper.
advantage #2) radius fretboards are easier to play

f-d

[sunburst]

I'm not ducking the question here, my answer is the same as most of these - it's personal preference - , but I'd suggest doing a search or two. This has come up several times, and a lot of opinions and preferences have been expressed.

[gnelson651]

I have both and agree with Pedal Steel Mike that I don't feel much of a difference. I do prefer the flatboard of the Eastman 805 over the radius fretboard of the MK Legacy Dlx. The MK is harder to fret, especially at the 1st fret. The luthier who setup the MK said he was unable to lower the action much more without the strings starting to buzz at the other frets. My thoughts is that this is more a problem with my particular MK than other raduis mandos. I had an opportunity to play a Rigel A Natural which played like butter but I only had it for a few minutes.

I would like to take the MK to another luthier with more experience with mandolins and radius fretboards but haven't been able to find any in my area.

Overall, I like the Eastman much better for playability and tone/sound than the MK. But I agree that it is a matter of personal preference.

Glenn Nelson
Las Vegas, NV

[sunburst]

I did a set-up on a MK with radius fingerboard. It was a mess to start with. If your's is the same as that one, don't judge radius fingerboards by it.

[Dale Ludewig]

I personally much prefer radiused fingerboards. Personally. I think they're easier on the left hand and also it the bridge is radiused to match, as it should be, allows a bit easier picking out of individual notes because they're not all at the exact same height. My normal is 12" radius, but I also have done several 9 1/2", although those have been done with one size larger fret wire than standard. Going back and forth between the two, I can hardly feel a difference. They all play like a dream. There is no reason that a properly set up radiused board should finger at least as well as a flat board. Perhaps easier. The key is proper setup, which means a properly dressed fretboard, nut and bridge setup.
Some people prefer flat boards. It's all personal preference. My own personal experience is that when I go from a radiused board to a flat one, the flat one feels concave. But that feeling goea away after a few minutes.

[grandmainger]

I myself sort of prefer radiused fingerbooards. Not overly bothered either way though. To me, neck width and profile have much more of an impact on my feeling the mando.

[steve in tampa]

I prefer the radiused fret boards for the styles I currently play. For just straight out bluegrass chopping and wailing , the flat fret board seemms to work better for me.

[Fretbear]

When you get a radius board set-up dialed right in, it's real nice to play...

[jim_n_virginia]

I guess I am in the minority because I prefer the flatboard.

I think ir is whatever you are used to. I think I am faster on a flatboard as that is what I learned on and what I am used to. I am sure I could get used to a radiased fretboard in time but then I ask myself why go throught that.

Another reason I like flat boards is that it is easier to do your own setups and in adjusting action.

Been doing my own setups so long I can hold a mandolin up to the light and eyeball the distance between the strings and frets which is harder to do with a radiased board.

Make mine FLAT! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[OdnamNool]

Urrr... (sorry to be the usual nit-witly-dip-knit...here...but...) (should I ask???)

Uh... what is "radiased board?" AND what is "flat board?" NO FUNNY COMMENTS! I didn"t say, "flat bored![I] Board! Board!...... I say... Board!

[grandmainger]

Urrr... (sorry to be the usual nit-witly-dip-knit...here...but...) (should I ask???)

Uh... what is "radiased board?" AND what is "flat board?" NO FUNNY COMMENTS! I didn"t say, "flat bored![I] Board! Board!...... I say... Board!
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif

Radias board is a typo. It's supposed to be Radius board.

Some mandolins have a completely flat fingerboard, some have a slight radius. A radius board would look like this when cut through:
http://www.warmoth.com/guitar/images/necks/radius_profile1.jpg

There are different types of radiused board, some have the same amount of radius throughout, some have a compound radius, which means that one end of the board has a stronger radius than the other.

Using a radius fingerboard has theoretical advantages, such as the idea that your fingers, as they fret the strings, will press at a more consistent angle... Many people like them, and as you see here, many don't!

HTH

Germain

[OdnamNool]

Thanks for your reply, Germain! Problem is... my computer is not letting me see ANY pictures! What's up with that? Do you know? What should I do?

[grandmainger]

No pics at all uh?

If you are using Internet Explorer, on a Windoze PC, check the following:

- in the [Tools] menu select [Internet Options]
- in the options window, click on the [Advanced] tab (the right-most one)
- in the advanced tab, scroll down the list about halfway down until you see a [Multimedia] heading
- make sure the little box next to [Show pictures] is ticked.
- Click [OK], and press [F5] on your keyboard and click on the [refresh] button on Internet Explorer

That should do the trick.

http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif

[OdnamNool]

Well... I don't think that I'm using "Intenet Explorer." I used to, then I switched to "Firefox." I don't know, but I'll try your suggestions... Thanks!

[OdnamNool]

Actually...nothing is working properly, here... AND the whole message board doesn't look like it usually does! It's weird! O.K., though... I'll go try your suggestions now... Thanks!

[grandmainger]

Firefox is great!

Try this:
- In the [Tools] Menu, Select [Options...]
- In the options window, select [Web Features]
- Make sure [Load Images] is ticked.

Also, go to the [View] menu, under [Page Style], and make sure you didn't select [No Style]

Germain

[OdnamNool]

Okeedoke... I'm still trying and experimenting... Thanks a lot for your help. I appreciate it. Thank you.

[GTison]

I have a flat one on my 02Gibson Fern. #I did honestly shop around and played the colllings and Apitius models with the radiused fingerboards. #I loved the way they played. Both are fine instruments no doubt. ##Both played absolutely great. But I also learned the hard way that small changes can make a great difference. #I developed had problems after switching to a shallower neck. So when I shopped I looked for differences like: neck width, depth, "V" neck, string spacing. # Also#I could not play specific pull offs on the curved board;. #So I ruled out the curved board. #I think if you can switch easily. #I think the radius board would be great. #I just had to stay with what I needed for my hands sake.

[Keith Erickson]

I've found that the radius fretboard is a lot easier on my left hand and my playing improved greatly.

I've learned never to say "never", but I would highly doubt that I would go back to playing a flat fretboard.

Just my personal preference http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[angrymandolinist]

Hey Odnam, if you're still having trouble, do you by chance have AdBlock installed?

[OdnamNool]

Hey Angry!

Yep. Still problems. AdBlock? I don't know! What's AdBlock?

[angrymandolinist]

It's a plugin you can install in FireFox that lets you block annoying ads, banners, or durn near any image you don't want to look at. If you block "*"(wildcard) it essentially disables images.

But, it doesn't sound like you installed it... you could check Tools, Extensions and see if it's listed there.

And so much for flat vs radius fretboards http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif