| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| LesPaulGuy |
Posted - 12/02/2005 : 13:40:45
I'm in the market for a used Amercian Tele. I don't care how old or new it is, but and am wondering when Fender transitioned to the flatter, 9.25" radius on the Tele neck. I have an '83 Standard Strat that came with the flatter radius, and am wondering if the Tele's produced since then have the same. I very much prefer the bigger frets and flat radius and would never buy any thing with the older style small-radius to it.
Thanks! |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| BLT |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 08:08:30
I have The Fender Telecaster by A.R. Duchossoir (1991), which says...
quote:
...until the early 70s all Telecaster necks were designed with the basic 7.25" fretboard radius.
The 1973 Deluxe was the first model to offer a slightly flatter 9.5" radius, whilst other Telecaster variants kept a standard fingerboard. In 1983, the newer Elite and Standard Telecasters came out with an even flatter 12" radius, meant to facilitate string bending. Current production models have come back to an intermediate 9.5" radius, except the Vintage Telecaster (7.25") and the Set Neck Telecaster (12").
|
| hammerhands |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 07:24:29
This is something Gruhn's Guide doesn't mention. I think Fender changed the radius in the early 60's.
In recent history, unless they are "Vintage Reissues", Telecasters will have a 9.25" radius. |
| Cookie |
Posted - 12/17/2005 : 03:45:40
I don't know when they transitioned to that neck radius. Vintage Fender guitars have an even rounder neck radius around 71/2". Newer "shred" guitars and super strats tend to have a much flatter 12" radius. Flatter=easier for lead work. Rounder=easier barre chording. 9-10" necks and compound radius necks are an attempt to compromise. I have G&L guitars--almost all of these have 12" necks and jumbo frets.
G&L is a company founded by Leo Fender and are considered by many to be the "real Fender guitars." They certainly are higher quality at a lower price. Caution: they do have a "Tribute" line made in Korea, although these have an excellent build quality and are highly regarded. Check ebay: used American-made G&L teles are very inexpensive by U.S. standards. |
