Radiused vs a flat finger board which one is better?

[music man]

I ve never owned a mandolin with a radius fingerboard

[goose 2]

I've owned both but prefer flat which is what I have played for past 10 years. Compound radius is my next favorite. You'll get lots of opinions on this. Totally a preference thing

[Tailgate]

I prefer radiused, but have no problem playing with a flat board. My first mandolin, a cheaper used Kentucky, had a flat finger board and when I picked up a Weber a few years later it took me a bit of time to get used to the radiused board. It wasn't difficult, just different. But now after playing that for a couple of years I seem to prefer it. But I don't have much trouble switching between the two if I need to.

[darrylicshon]

I like a radius one best but i have both and can play both without any problems. But your best bet is to go to a mandolin store that has both and play as many as you can that is the only way to find out which you like best

[JeffD]

The difference is not that great in my experience, and I switch back and forth without much trouble. The radius board feels perhaps a little more comfortable, but single fret double stops and barre chords are a little harder because you have to bed around that curve.

In my opinion, (only mine) there are more important things that I would use to decide between two mandolins.

[EdHanrahan]

The radius gives you an "effectively" wider finger board, in that a fretting fingertip can overhang neighboring strings without muting them, as might happen on a flat board. That might be good for some hands, maybe less good or no difference for others.

While I appreciate the feel of some radiused boards, I haven't felt strongly enough to actually own one.

[almeriastrings]

I have both kinds... switch back and forth all the time. I probably slightly prefer the feel of a radius, but it is not a major issue at all and I'm happy with either. It would not be a deciding factor in instrument choice.

[Ron McMillan]

I have both kinds... switch back and forth all the time. I probably slightly prefer the feel of a radius, but it is not a major issue at all and I'm happy with either. It would not be a deciding factor in instrument choice.

Exactly my thoughts. I have both, and simply don't notice when I switch from one to the other.

[Nashville]

I'm the exact opposite of posters so far. Always had flat but when I finally tried a radius it felt like I had come home. It is much more comfortable for me and I play more accurately on a radiused fingerboard.

[Bob Clark]

In my opinion, (only mine) there are more important things that I would use to decide between two mandolins.

I'm with Jeff on this. I have both and am happy playing either. I slightly prefer the radius. Flat would not be a deal-killer on a mandolin I otherwise like.

[notepicker]

I made the switch to the radius primarily because of my arthritis. I was having great difficulty with the D and A courses trying to bar them. I Also use lighter strings than I would really like to for this same reason. The radius also makes regular picking more tolerable for my sometimes painful fingers and knuckles.

[Steve Ostrander]

Neither is better, it's a matter of preference. I have both, but I would say that I prefer radiused. But I can go back and forth between with no problem.

[AlanN]

Used to flat here, so that's my preference. Often have wondered on re-frets if one is easier than the other, for the technicians. Especially with the harder wires these days. Any re-fretters care to share their thoughts?

[Capt. E]

No one has mentioned fret size. Heavier frets make a big difference in feel for many people. Since most radius'd fingerboards also have modern heavier frets, I wonder if the frets have more of an effect than the radius'd fingerboard.

[Atlanta Mando Mike]

There is not a right answer. Its like answering if you like Snicker's or a Reese's Cups better.

[music man]

Gee thanks for to all the folks who commented on my post about the radius fret board vs the flat. I haven't really played a radiused finger board much. So its nice to get some input.

[darrylicshon]

Reese's Cups

[Clinton Johnson]

Definately Reese's for me also...but I can switch to snickers fairly easy when I have too

[onassis]

No one has mentioned fret size. Heavier frets make a big difference in feel for many people. Since most radius'd fingerboards also have modern heavier frets, I wonder if the frets have more of an effect than the radius'd fingerboard.

This is a great question. I would say that neck profile has more impact on how an instrument feels to me than radius v flat. If pushed, I would say that I prefer a radius, but that's really only because my current mando ( 6 yrs so far) has a radius.

[FLATROCK HILL]

There is not a right answer. Its like answering if you like Snicker's or a Reese's Cups better.

Or asking if you like Jelly or Jam. (I just thought this thread needed at least the mention of a 'Jam'.)

[Timbofood]

I actually prefer preserves! Not on a sweet course much anymore but, Heath bars still do it for me!
Never tried a radiused fingerboard, compound makes perfect sense if you are going to do it. Well, it does to me at least. I don't adapt terribly quickly so, I would need one for a while to really get the full learning experience. Open for extended loans

[WW52]

I've had mandolins with both and I prefer radiused. Overall it feels better and I'm convinced my fingers move more efficiently on a radiused fret board. I prefer not to speculate on what degree of that might be imagined. The larger frets do make a big difference, too. On the other hand, I apparently have no problem with a flat finger board on a tenor banjo. Maybe that's because of it's greater dimensions. But then all my guitars have radiused finger boards.
On the other hand again, I think radiused or not, the thinner--or lower the profile--a neck is, the more problematic it is for me.

[allenhopkins]

Youse guys is in da wrong forum.

[music man]

I like the miniature dark Reese cups!

[colorado_al]

+1 radius
+1 snickers