Neck radius & 3vs 4 string instrument.

[Derek Sucharda]

I am doing research for my first build. I am trying to decide 3 vs 4 string. I play regular guitar so I lean towards 4 string but it seems most videos and tabs are most often 3 string and probably more educational material for 3 string. Thoughts?

Also I know commercial 6 string guitars (fender, Gibson,etc) have a radial curve on the fretboard, but is this regularly done on 3 and 4 string instruments? Or is it ridiculous to consider this for 3 and 4 string instruments? For what is worth I am going for a higher end more advanced build with full frets, a traditional nut, a hard tail bridge, etc...

[Poorness Studios]

As some others pointed out, on a 3 or 4 string instrument... fretboard radius-ing probably isn't worth the time. If you really want the middle string(s) higher than the outside strings, you can probably make shallower/deeper bridge notches and control it that way (yes I realize this is radius-ing the strings not the fretboard but it may achieve the feel you want).

Also, if you're going to play it with a slide, you won't even notice the fretboard radius. When people convert "traditional" 6 string guitars to slide guitars, they generally raise the nut and aren't worried about the fretboard anymore. The frets just become note guides.

All of that said, it's your personal project, so do what you want. Blaze a trail. If it makes sense to you, it makes sense to us. Whatever you decide... be sure to share pics cuz we love seeing other people's builds.