What does the radius mean?

[skabassist13]

Ok. I understand all the measurements on a bass, except for the radius. By definition a radius is half the diameter of a circle, or the distance from the center of the circle to the edge. The only way i could find to relate this to a bass is the radius of the neck, which would be from the top of the fretboard to the back of the neck. Obviously thats not right because the specs page for the stingray5 says its supposed to be 11 inches. Obviously the distance from the top of the fretboard to the back of the neck is not 11 inches, maybe 1 inch, but not 11. Could someone please tell me what the radius is. I honestly havent a clue what it is and it really bothers me. Thanks.
Travis

[Aussie Mark]

If the neck radius is 11 inches, this means that the arc of the back of the neck is curved as if it was part of a circle with an 11 inch radius. If you draw imaginary lines from both sides of the neck based on the curve of the neck you will end up with a circle with an 11 inch radius. The larger the radius, the "less curved" the back of the neck is.

[midopa]

Kinda like this, I'd imagine:

Fear my horrible digital imaging skillz.
Don't mind me. I have no life.

Edit: Oops. I guess I was thinking fingerboard radius, no?

[skabassist13]

ohhhhhhhhh. i get it. cool. thank both of you.

[prickly_pete]

The greater the radius -- lower the number -- the higher the action has to be for string bending, to avoid fret-outs.

[skabassist13]

The greater the radius .

wouldnt it be the opposite? the smaller the radius, the lower the number?

[prickly_pete]

wouldnt it be the opposite? the smaller the radius, the lower the number?

Yeah, that's what I meant.

[bovinehost]

And I have to say that 7.25" is about the most perfect radius ever invented, although I guess I'm pretty used to an 11" radius now.

In a perfect world, Bongos and Stingrays and all of God's basses would have a 7.25 radius.

Is it just me?

[prickly_pete]

And I have to say that 7.25" is about the most perfect radius ever invented, although I guess I'm pretty used to an 11" radius now.

In a perfect world, Bongos and Stingrays and all of God's basses would have a 7.25 radius.

Is it just me?

Not if you are a string bender. I like a pretty flat neck.