John Mayer on Guitar Scale Radius
John Mayer has reignited one of the most frequent debates among guitarists by asserting that the radius of the fretboard—a nearly sacred topic for many musicians—has less impact on playability than the height of the strap. This statement was made during an interview with Guitar.com, where the guitarist reflected on the creation process of his PRS Silver Sky.
Development of the PRS Silver Sky
Mayer recalls that, prior to developing the model, he did not have a deep understanding of the concept of neck radius. His starting point was straightforward: he looked at the guitars he loved the most. “I simply looked at the guitars that I loved the most, and they had a 7.25-inch radius,” he states, referring to the Silver Sky. “That was my reference. Now that I know the math behind it, I still don’t think much about it.”
A Bold Assertion
He then articulates a statement that is already circulating among musicians worldwide: “The difference between 7.25 inches and 9.5 inches is less significant than your strap being an inch higher or lower. I will argue this with anyone.”
The Complexity of Guitar Playability
Mayer explains the rationale behind his viewpoint. According to him, each guitar has “around 100 points of variation” that influence the playing experience. The radius is only one of these factors. “The neck profile helps define the neck profile, which is just one of many details,” he clarifies. Therefore, comparing fretboard radiuses would only make sense if it were possible to create “two molecularly identical copies of the same guitar” by changing just that feature—something that is nearly impractical.
The Importance of Setup
The guitarist also emphasizes that, with proper setup, the discussion becomes even less relevant. “I can do everything on this neck that I would do on a 9.25,” he asserts. If the guitar is set up correctly and the frets are leveled—as they are—players can perform any bending techniques they desire with this neck radius.
Philosophy on Guitar Setup
Mayer’s statement touches on a sensitive issue for many guitarists but encapsulates his philosophy well: before delving into technical debates, a musician should find a comfortable setup—beginning with the strap height.
The information is sourced from Guitar.com.
