Where/how to Adjust/Measure the Bridge Radius

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RWilke

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I remember that I have read some comprehensive discussions on this in other forums, probably MLP, but I don't seem to remember the overall consensus about it, if there was any, so I am starting here again.

Should the bridge radius be the same as the fretboard radius of the first fret, or the 22nd fret rather?
 
If a fretboard has a different radius from one end to the other, then I guess the bridge needs to be of the average radius measurement. If that's how it works, then it looks like as long as you're in the ballpark, it'll do.
 
Is the guitar in question one with a compound radius? Is it a Gibson style guitar?
 
I’m wondering why you are concerned with the radius. The radius on that guitar is a straight 12 inch radius from one end of the fretboard to the other. Are you planning on replacing the bridge? If so, you will want to stay with a 12 inch radius.
 
3bolt79 said:
I’m wondering why you are concerned with the radius. The radius on that guitar is a straight 12 inch radius from one end of the fretboard to the other. Are you planning on replacing the bridge? If so, you will want to stay with a 12 inch radius.
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Thank you so much once more. Please excuse my ignorance, but not so long ago, I didn't even know how to spell "fretboard radius", not mentioning being unfamiliar with the role it plays. I have probably been misguided by our I have mis-read an awful lot of information I found about this on the Internet.

I had been under the impression, or at least I wasn't really sure about whether this is true or not, that the fretboard is always conical and therefore should flatten the further you go up fret by default. But if you tell me that this is not true for a Les Paul style fretboard, I'll be happy to accept it as a fact and write it down.

Of course, planning on replacing the bridge is also on my radar, and that's why I came up with it.
 
RWilke said:
Thank you so much once more. Please excuse my ignorance, but not so long ago, I didn't even know how to spell "fretboard radius", not mentioning being unfamiliar with the role it plays. I have probably been misguided by our I have mis-read an awful lot of information I found about this on the Internet.

I had been under the impression, or at least I wasn't really sure about whether this is true or not, that the fretboard is always conical and therefore should flatten the further you go up fret by default. But if you tell me that this is not true for a Les Paul style fretboard, I'll be happy to accept it as a fact and write it down.

Of course, planning on replacing the bridge is also on my radar, and that's why I came up with it.
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The "I read it on the internet so it must be true" is more alive and well more than ever.

Here and on our sister forum EpiphoneTalk we have many very experienced members who will always do our best to provide you with the best and most accurate technical information we can. Our personal opinions of things may vary but as far as specs go they are what they are and rarely if ever subject to opinion since they can be measured and confirmed.

Glad you were able to get your question answered.
 
RWilke said:
.But if you tell me that this is not true for a Les Paul style fretboard, I'll be happy to accept it as a fact and write it down.
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A Les Paul (or any other) fretboard can be “conical” as you say, but it will be called a “compound radius.” For example, the specs might say compound radius 12-16” which means the fretboard begins at the nut with a 12” radius and flattens to a 16” radius as you approach the highest fret. The flatter fretboard will allow for lower action and faster shreddy weedle-weedles up high in the nosebleed notes.

Your guitar has a plain old 12” radius fretboard. You also probably don’t need to replace the bridge. Spend your money on something else because the stock Epiphone bridge is fine and you won’t hear or feel any difference if you change it.
 
Diamond Dave said:
A Les Paul (or any other) fretboard can be “conical” as you say, but it will be called a “compound radius.” For example, the specs might say compound radius 12-16” which means the fretboard begins at the nut with a 12” radius and flattens to a 16” radius as you approach the highest fret. The flatter fretboard will allow for lower action and faster shreddy weedle-weedles up high in the nosebleed notes.

Your guitar has a plain old 12” radius fretboard. You also probably don’t need to replace the bridge. Spend your money on something else because the stock Epiphone bridge is fine and you won’t hear or feel any difference if you change it.
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Thanks for you input. Thing being that I have already replaced it with a Gotoh GE-103B-T Nickel bridge, and I don't regret doing so, considering the €40 well spent. Part of this being that it seemed mandatory swapping it as I had foolishly messed around with the radius already by filing the saddles in all kinds of ways, thus making it far from being a 12" radius any longer. With the new bridge, all I had to do was to mount it, and restring and intonate. No filing needed, not even for the low E string, or any other adjusting than string action of course.
 
RWilke said:
Thanks for you input. Thing being that I have already replaced it with a Gotoh GE-103B-T Nickel bridge, and I don't regret doing so, considering the €40 well spent. Part of this being that it seemed mandatory swapping it as I had foolishly messed around with the radius already by filing the saddles in all kinds of ways, thus making it far from being a 12" radius any longer. With the new bridge, all I had to do was to mount it, and restring and intonate. No filing needed, not even for the low E string, or any other adjusting than string action of course.
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Well, if you went and screwed up the old one, yeah, replace it. :LOL:

Learning about guitars is a life-long journey and we’ve all been there. Enjoy your Les Paul (I also have an Epi Les Paul, in honeyburst) and happy playing!
 
Diamond Dave said:
Well, if you went and screwed up the old one, yeah, replace it. :LOL:

Learning about guitars is a life-long journey and we’ve all been there. Enjoy your Les Paul (I also have an Epi Les Paul, in honeyburst) and happy playing!
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For sure it is a life-long journey which never ends. Sadly enough, I have resumed mine only a couple of months ago seriously, after an almost 40 years hiatus. I do enjoy my Epiphone Les Paul, I actually fell in love with it immediately, and I don't mind spending a little money on it every once in a while. Next thing, I might replace the nut also, because, you know, filing. :oops:
 
RWilke said:
For sure it is a life-long journey which never ends. Sadly enough, I have resumed mine only a couple of months ago seriously, after an almost 40 years hiatus. I do enjoy my Epiphone Les Paul, I actually fell in love with it immediately, and I don't mind spending a little money on it every once in a while. Next thing, I might replace the nut also, because, you know, filing. :oops:
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Friend, you’re your own worst enemy! Join the club. You will fit in just fine. :cool:

PS I love my Epi too. Amazing quality for a fraction of the cost of a Gibson, which conscience would never let me afford. Two boys in college and what not.
 
Diamond Dave said:
Friend, you’re your own worst enemy! Join the club. You will fit in just fine. :cool:

PS I love my Epi too. Amazing quality for a fraction of the cost of a Gibson, which conscience would never let me afford. Two boys in college and what not.
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Tilting back and forth between conscience and temptation, and notwithstanding any rationale, I nearly always keep a Gibson on my wishlist, and just today, I went for this one:

Gibson Les Paul Studio Session HoneyB​

 
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