Beginner Radius Question

[JES]

Hi All,

1. Are the Tribute ASATs (or any other tributes) still available with 9" fretboard radius?
2. Should I care?

30+ year bass player. 1+ year guitar player. I bought a tribute fallout in March 2014 and love the sound and feel of the guitar, but I am having some issues with fretting chords, especially barre chords. It seems like Fenders are much easier for me--including a telecaster (9.5") and a jazz master (7.5") I tried recently. I'm wondering if it's the radius.

Is it just a skill thing (I have to get better at chording on small necks) or are the advanced guitarists who find this to be an issue as well?

I'm playing mostly textural, chordal stuff, not wailing solos. More 90s indy-rock, post-rock and post-metal than classic rock or blues. Maybe eventually jazz if I get good enough.

Thanks.

--JES

[darwinohm]

I don't think the radius is the problem. I would check the setup as I would bet the action is higher than your other two. Barre chords are more difficult as the action is higher. I would make sure that you have the action set low with about .004 to .005 of neck relief. I would think the Barre chords would be easier with the flatter radius. -- Darwin

[Fumble fingers]

I have an assortment of G&L's with different radius and the only thing that bothered me was the tiny vintage frets and the low/wides frets on the Leo era's I have ..... I have the US Fallout with #1 neck 12 radius and have no problems with it ...... all the neck and frets options are available on the US Fallout if you like something more tailored to your feel

[JES]

Thanks guys. I thought smaller radius=easier chording (which was also my experience). To clarify, the Fallout is my only guitar.

I will see if I can lower the action any more without getting buzz.

[Craig]

Hi All,

1. Are the Tribute ASATs (or any other tributes) still available with 9" fretboard radius?

--JES

Yes, see this post in our G&L Knowledgebase: Current G&L Tribute Series Standard Production Models.

Hope this helps.