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fret board

Posted by Tim Fleischer on January 14, 2010 at 10:32am in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion
Is there any reason why you couldn't fret the fretboard before glueing it to the neck. I was thinking that if I did it this way and I happened to botch up the fret job I wouldn't be ruining the whole build. I'd just be ruining the fret board. Any thoughts on this would be appreciated. Tim

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Replies

  • Mad Dog Madda January 17, 2010 at 6:06am
    I finish the fretboard before I glue it up. Whatever works for you is the right way.
  • Doug Thorsvik January 16, 2010 at 9:40pm
    I always always do the whole fretboard before I glue it to neck; works great for me!
  • Paul Doug January 16, 2010 at 9:04pm
    I put the fret wires in after I glue on the pre-slotted fret board and shape it. Seems to work for me.
  • Phil Delpierre January 16, 2010 at 7:30pm
    I find it a lot easier to put the position dots on the fretboard, sand it flush, add the frets, bevel the sides, then glue it to the neck. That way, I can sand the sides flush, and make any last minute corrections on the neck.
  • Tim January 16, 2010 at 1:50pm
    if you install the frets first you are gonna have a hard time getting the fret board flush with the neck after its installed (its hard to sand it all fuls with steel frets hangin out). its no big deal if you screw up the frets just yank them back out sand it level agian and give it another try.
  • Mungo Park January 16, 2010 at 12:55pm
    I heard of a guy who puts a little salt on his fret board when gluing it in and this prevents it from sliding around when he clamps it. Cheers Ron.
  • JUJU January 14, 2010 at 11:49am
    Hi Tim , i do mine like you mentioned make the fretboard first but make it slightly oversize by 1-2mm (width)then glue it to the neck and sand it flush to the neck on the sides - i just like it that way , but has Jim has said just go with what you feel comfortable with - theres no rules thats the best thing :-)
    juju.
  • Jim Mitchell January 14, 2010 at 11:07am
    Hello Tim - The way I do it is to slot the fingerboard first and glue it on. Then I carve and shape the neck. Next, I level the fingerboard and install the frets. I find that when I level the fingerboard it helps me make certain the frets are level and cuts down on buzzing.... I am certain you will get a lot of really good ideas here, grab the one you feel most comfortable with... Let me know if there is anything I can do to help. Jim
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