Vintage-style build: neck radius?

[MrJagsquire]

I think it depends on whether you want to slavishly copy a vintage guitar or build what suits you best as a player. The later could go either way, the former would have to be 7.25" to be more 'authentic'.

I've had my '57 spec Strat for over 42 years, so I'm quite accustomed to 7.25" radius. However I built a '61 style Strat for gigging with and wanted a fat neck to help with my ageing hands and it came as 9.5". Since playing it a lot over the past 3 years and many rehearsals and gigs, I tend to have a preference for 9.5" now. My Player Jaguar is 9.5" too, though obviously it's not likely to be mistaken for a vintage model anyway (especially since I modified it).

I think the point about the fret size might also be relevant too: I had my '57 style Strat refreted a few years ago with low vintage frets. I think that is a bigger difference to my fingers than the radius now. I recently did a level and crown on my gig Strat so the frets are of course lower now and it felt a bit odd at first until I got used to it again.

[JVG]

Of the two options presented, I prefer 7.25 as i’m a “thumb over” player.

My preferred if i could choose any, is 7.25 - 9.5 compound. Best of both worlds.

[BTL]

I'm thinking if I can get a veneer board with white binding and pearloid dots, I'll go with the 7.25" radius for the true '65/'66 vintage spec. If a slab board ends up being the only option, then I'll go with the 9.5" radius and offer a '65/'66 look with more modern features. 

That's what we did on the first round of Jaguar necks that inspired this question.

[DaddyDom]

I went 7.25 because when I built my Esquire I knew I didn't have any other guitars that radius.
When I play it, it demands more thought, I feel I get more out of the experience.

And the vintage-style = vintage-dimensions thing, too.

[BTL]

OK...well it's decision time. A veneer board adds $40 to the cost, not a great value for the nominal cosmetic appeal. Because this will not be a "vintage correct replica" of a 1965 neck, I'm leaning towards a slab board with a 9.5" radius vs. 7.25".

[HNB]

I am cool with either. I am not really picky when it comes to vintage accuracy. I don't normally feel a difference between 9.5 and 7.5 but I know everyone is different.

[BTL]

Yeah, that's what I'm thinking, too. The JZRO-65 looks like it will end up being an unfinished version of the Jaguar neck we did.

[MrSparkle]

Lets just say that all my offsets are either Squier Standard or Classic Vibe for a reason.

[BTL]

Lets just say that all my offsets are either Squier Standard or Classic Vibe for a reason.

The bound Jaguar necks were not vintage accurate and sold out more quickly than any other project I've been involved with. I'm hoping lightning strikes twice.