McPherson fret board radius

steelvibe · #1 05-19-2021, 09:53 PM

I know there is a lot of love for the Sable around here and I understand that. I got a chance to play one for about 30 minutes before the pandemic. I wouldn't say that it was a guitar that haunts me because personally I like the tone of my OF660 and actually prefer the comfort of it. Tonally, there is no comparison to the Sable or Touring but pretty darn good for a $1300 guitar and I'm happy with it.

Since I'm leaning toward small guitars these days I've been looking at things like the X7 and the Touring. I also got to play the Touring as well and it did sound good, really good. Pretty much exactly what the Sable offered just in a more compact format. Of course some volume and depth were lost which is to be expected, but the warmth and especially the punch floored me for a such a small instrument. It does not suffer that mid range honk that so many parlor/travel size guitar do (and actually what I like about the Journey). I would say the Touring haunts me a bit more than the Sable just because I like the size.

The McPherson site does not spec out the fretboard radius so I went to look and was surprised to find they have a 14" radius. The only other luthiers I was able to find with that radius was Santa Cruz, Bourgeois, Composite Acoustics, and some Guild models. Seems like an odd choice for radius but it didn't feel overly odd in my hands.

Are you Sable/ Touring owners pretty happy with the radius or find it odd to adjust to your other guitars. Do you like it or prefer it even? I remember the neck of those McPhersons feeling just fine in my hands but was wondering.

jdinco · #2 05-19-2021, 10:13 PM

I don't pay much attention to the numbers and such, for me I notice things like there are chords that are easier to hit on the Sable than on some other guitars, My 2 favorite necks that I own are the Sable and my SCGC D-12, so now it makes sense. They must be the same radius. The Sable tone is my wife's favorite, and you know they are always right. I'm saving for a Touring, so your report helps a lot.

Tøf · #3 05-20-2021, 12:52 AM

Dave's Guitar indicates a fretboard radius of 12" for the Sable and the Touring, even though the wooden McPhersons use 14".
I'm more sensitive to the neck profile than the fretboard radius, at least for small variations like between 12" and 16". I wouldn't worry about it!

mikealpine · #4 05-20-2021, 05:41 AM

I find the Sable to be as comfortable to me as my Taylor 814ce was, if that's of any value. Similar feel, very easy to play.

Frettingflyer · #5 05-20-2021, 07:18 AM

My wood guitars are mostly Taylor, and while I wouldn’t call it identical I have absolutely no issue switching back and forth. I really enjoy the McPherson neck, comfortable and so easy to play, easy to thumb over the top of the neck at least to the 8th fret(as far as I usually do that).

steelvibe · #6 05-20-2021, 10:30 PM

Thanks for the great feedback folks! I don't recall having any concerns with the McPherson necks either and actually loved how they felt over the gloss typically found on CF guitars. Also, the 14" radius I misspoke of was from the Thalia website. Dave's Guitar Shop probably takes the time to actually get the specs not readily available otherwise. So it is actually 12". Interesting and quite a departure from the 20" RainSong I played for years. I guess I prefer a bit of radius.

Tøf · #7 05-22-2021, 10:47 AM

To be sure I directly asked McPherson about the radius of the Sable, and it’s actually 14’’ like their other guitars.

David Eastwood · #8 05-22-2021, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tøf

To be sure I directly asked McPherson about the radius of the Sable, and it’s actually 14’’ like their other guitars.

What a novel idea - ask the vendor.

Unfortunately, that’s against AGF rules

jdinco · #9 05-22-2021, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

What a novel idea - ask the vendor.

Unfortunately, that’s against AGF rules

Yeah, it's kinda like stopping to ask directions. LOL I've asked McPherson questions via email several times, I always get a quick response. I like that and appreciate it.

Tøf · #10 05-22-2021, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

What a novel idea - ask the vendor.

Unfortunately, that’s against AGF rules

Argh, I’ll make it up to the forum by spreading rumors and false information from now on

steelvibe · #11 05-22-2021, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Eastwood

What a novel idea - ask the vendor.

Unfortunately, that’s against AGF rules

Huh? Guess I’m slow today

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tøf

To be sure I directly asked McPherson about the radius of the Sable, and it’s actually 14’’ like their other guitars.

Well then thanks for checking, 14” is close to what I’m used to. I know that many have little concern going between instruments but I’m sensitive I guess. A little flatter is better for fingerstyle and classical players.

McPherson is very responsive as they answered my question about a guitar sized between the 2 of their carbon offerings.