SRV neck radius question

[mikenixon316]

If SRV's number 1 strat was, from what I understand, a composite of a '59 body and a '61 neck, how come the SRV signature model has a 12" radius fingerboard? I was under the impression that all 'vintage' strats from this period had a 7.25" radius.
So was the 12" radius just an invention for the signature model or did SRV's number one actually have a 12" radius? If it did then how did that come about?

 

[EunosFD]

It's been 12+yrs since I sold mine, but IIRC it was based on the measurements of the actual neck of his #1. Which likely had been refretted & worked over many times through the years (not to mention manhandling by the man himself ) resulting in the flatter radius (and asymmetric neck profile). I could be wrong though (it's been a while) so don't take that as gospel.

 

[ZeroCool]

It's been 12+yrs since I sold mine, but IIRC it was based on the measurements of the actual neck of his #1. Which likely had been refretted & worked over many times through the years (not to mention manhandling by the man himself ) resulting in the flatter radius (and asymmetric neck profile). I could be wrong though (it's been a while) so don't take that as gospel.

+1. I read somewhere that due to quite a few re-frets and from constant play that the radius actually flattened from a 7.25" to about a 10".

 

[fastburn430]

I always wondered about the radius myself. Why a 12" when it was most likely a 7.25"? I also heard the re-fretting explanation. Personally, I would have liked the 9.5 instead.

Regarding the guitar date of his #1, this is the real story taken from:
http://www.stevieray.com/gear.htm

"Number One was disassembled by Fender Custom Shop employees in 2003, and they stated that the neck is from December '62 and the body is a '63. So, Number One can rightly be called a '63 Strat. Pickups are 1959, which is why Stevie referred to it as a '59."

 

[big mike]

Yeah the neck had flattened out.
Don't forget, SRV was hip to the project, and involved with it before his passing. Likely he chose that 12" for easier bending.

 

[DanielT2]

+1. I read somewhere that due to quite a few re-frets and from constant play that the radius actually flattened from a 7.25" to about a 10".

There's a piece by Dan Erlewine -

http://www.jcdisciples.org/musicians/srv/guitar/guitar_setup.html

Where he says Number 1 became a 9" or 10" radius in the upper register from re-frets.

Always thought it a little strange that the Fender SRV model was a 12" radius but I guess Stevie must have developed a taste for a flatter radius later in his career.

 

[TexasDude]

If SRV's number 1 strat ... I was under the impression that all 'vintage' strats from this period had a 7.25" radius.

Check out this link. It's been stated numerous times (of course, by Rene Martinez, his guitar tech for years) how the neck became flattened out due to refrets. Near the end of Stevie's career, this neck was practically unplayable. He was using a Fender CS replacement on Number 1.

http://www.stevieray.com/gear.htm

 

[supar6]

Check out this link. It's been stated numerous times (of course, by Rene Martinez, his guitar tech for years) how the neck became flattened out due to refrets. Near the end of Stevie's career, this neck was practically unplayable. He was using a Fender CS replacement on Number 1.

http://www.stevieray.com/gear.htm

I second Texas' comment. Stevie started using replacements on his #1 as the original neck was jacked beyond the point of repair. It's my understanding many of the replacements were 10" and 12" necks. I've got a '92 and a new '07. I personally would like one to be a 10" and the other to be a 12" just for variety. It took me a little while to get used to the jumbo frets on those necks as well. I got real used to my 7.25 necks with vintage frets before I bought my SRV.

Nice guitar all around and the neck is nice and fat too!