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cutting slots for frets

when cutting frets slot out using a caliper its difficult to be dead accurate.
example 1.121" , 3.782" ...does it matter if I can get 1.120" or 1.198"
its a midget dick in other words its neither here or there so tiny?

I'm just getting back into making box's guitars etc.not made any since last Xmas so I'm having to refresh my memories. just made a tin one out of an old biscuit tin ,just experimenting with colours.its a 2 stringers not the best I know. I'm not that good.lol I would love to make them as good as some of you guys do. but then I dont have a proper wood workshop? the neck is only 30mm wide so I dont think its wide enough for a 3 stringer.

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Permalink Reply by JL on September 28, 2016 at 1:31am

Accuracy within a few Muggeseggeles is not necessary, but I'd invest in a ruler instead of using calipers. I do my fret calculation in centimeters since its easy to find a meter stick but I still haven't found a decimal inches yard stick.

30mm width should be plenty wide for a 3 stringer, 1 centered and the other 2 10mm to each side should give pleanty of space for your fingers to hit one string at a time.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on September 28, 2016 at 5:41am

ok thanks.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on September 28, 2016 at 5:43am

You probably won't hear it until your out by 1-2mm but you can see it.

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on September 28, 2016 at 5:55am

30mm wide neck is wide enough for a 3 stringer.

4mm each side with 22mm for the 3 strings. 11mm spacing. Carefully not to load the neck too much though. Mine sit at about 30mm but the D at the back reaches 30mm depth. To help with string tension on mahogany. I also widen to 35mm depth towards the heel.

There's no real method to it and I suspect everyone builds them different.

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on September 28, 2016 at 6:55am

That is a pretty snazzy looking paint job you got goin on on that one.

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Permalink Reply by john mackay on September 28, 2016 at 8:40am

seen how its done on youtube .

so I was just trying it out on an old tin. it does look good.

going to try the swirly one next but I'll have get a bigger tub to do it.

I think they use humbrol model paint? I'll have to check it.

the neck is the same as in the picture ash wood on outer and mahogany in the middle the grain goes side ways which I think is stronger than the other way.

you can see on the tuners bit. thickness with the fret board 25mm x 30mm.

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Permalink Reply by Bama Hound on September 28, 2016 at 12:40pm

I am beginning to believe that sometime in the near future somebody will have a youtube vid on brain surgery. ( :-D) What is that paint scheme called. It is really nice.