PRS Guitars and their F’ing 10” radius fretboards

[garey77]

Anyone else find it funny that PRS doesn’t offer a flatter radius on any of their models, other than the Holcomb, which is like $5k?!!

 

[Steinmetzify]

Yeah it's irked me for a minute......I really wanna try that USA Holcomb but it's a nice chunk of change.

All that being said, doesn't stop me from playing my McCarty...

 

[paulyc]

Easy to go flatter, 12” would be easiest, but 14 or 16 or even compound can be done along with a re-fret.

 

[thiswaythatway]

10 never bothered me, although I don't own a PRS anymore but have in the past. The DGT model is pretty cool......but always sounded on the mellow side when compared to other guitars. Having said that I think 12 is great, compound of 12-16 even better.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Pretty sure you can go down to a 14” radius without destroying the inlays. I checked into it awhile back. I think the Modern Eagles offer more radius options, but that’s a chunk of change. I’m gonna have my Custom 24 shaved down to 12” at some point.

 

[bhuard75]

Pretty sure you can go down to a 14” radius without destroying the inlays.

Ive contacted the PRS tech shop about what the flattest radius you can push without destroying the bird inlays and 12* was the flattest with no guarantee.

They also wont accomodate any fretboard radius variation on a new fretboard install either. Only 10*.

 

[ChurchHill]

Honestly, the 10" radius never bothered me, either. It's as easy for me to play on a PRS as it is any of my Gibsons, Jacksons, Charvels, ESP, pretty much everything except vintage Fender. My PRS has the wide neck, and I think that makes more of a difference in feel for me than radius does, at least within reason. I do greatly prefer 1 11/16" width. Seems like the only 1 5/8" necks I like are at least 12" radius. Of course, these are all just my personal preferences.

 

[peterc52]

I recently got into PRS. Must say, I think they are great! Mine has wide/thin and pattern thin. I really like them. No need to change anything.

 

[Mr. Willy]

Pretty sure you can go down to a 14” radius without destroying the inlays.

Ive contacted the PRS tech shop about what the flattest radius you can push without destroying the bird inlays and 12* was the flattest with no guarantee.

They also wont accomodate any fretboard radius variation on a new fretboard install either. Only 10*.

That’s annoying. An operation as big as PRS should offer more options. At any rate, I do love my CU 24. It’s been a real workhorse for me.

 

[Beyond Black]

Anyone else find it funny that PRS doesn’t offer a flatter radius on any of their models, other than the Holcomb, which is like $5k?!!

Absolutely! I had a C24 that was awesome, but I always wished it was a 12'. I'd still have it if it was.

 

[paulyc]

Will they sell the bird inlays if you’re the registered owner ? Then anyone can do whatever radius they want...

 

[messenger]

Isn’t one radius pretty standard for most companies? Does Gibson offer different radius on non custom shop or Jackson or .... I think fender has various radius on different guitars but other than that do many others?

 

[garey77]

Isn’t one radius pretty standard for most companies? Does Gibson offer different radius on non custom shop or Jackson or .... I think fender has various radius on different guitars but other than that do many others?

You’re not too far off here. Fender, for example, does have a few diff sizes throughout the different eras. That being said, their all smaller. Ibanez on the other hand, they offer a pretty wide array of radius options from round to flat as fuck.

 

[squank]

I'm a long time PRS player. When I first picked up their guitars, I found the 10" to be perfect, so no complaints here.

 

[Markedman]

No complaint here. I never owned one.

 

[Shask]

I have gotten into PRS over the last year, and the 10" radius feels fine to me. I think they feel very comfortable. I notice a difference from a 16" Ibanez, but I dont think it hinders my playing or anything. I think neck width and back profile matter WAY more.

The Holcomb SE has a 20" radius also, and it is only $900...... you dont have to spend $5k.....

 

[errrrrl]

I have a USA Holcomb I bought new that I really should play more but since when are they 5k? I guess I should hold on to it then.

 

[PRS]

 

[garey77]

I have a USA Holcomb I bought new that I really should play more but since when are they 5k? I guess I should hold on to it then.

There’s one on reverb used for $4,800 right now.

 

[Rex Rocker]

I'm also not a big fan of the 10" radius. If there's one thing I'd change about my PRS, it's that. I don't hate it, but I wish it were 14" like the SE Torero or 20" like the Holcomb.