Hi all, I'm new to CBN and the CBG world, and I'm going to be building one very soon, just waiting on my last few parts. One thing I haven't totally thought about is a fretboard. Do I need one? Can I just fret my neck? Should I use one? What are the pros and cons of having one vs not having one? Thanks for any and all help, guys and gals of CBN!
(I should note that I'm using a poplar 1x2 for my neck)
Replies
"I bought a Zona 35-380 dovetail saw"
The new Zona 35-380 that I just bought yields too wide of a kerf. Not very sharp, either.
If you don't have a jig for cutting fret slots and don't know how to make a jig for that purpose, you can clamp a straight edge or framing square to the board and cut along the straight edge.
I bought a Xacto Knife Set long ago that had a small saw blade in it. It happens to be the right size for cutting fret slots. Xacto makes 3 different thickness saws like this and can be found at local hobby stores for cheap.
I do need to get my hands on some Xacto's, I'll check into that. Thanks!
Here's a pic of the saw that also comes with a miter box that works great for CBG sized fretboards.
I bought that exact same setup from Michael's for a project this summer and I was sloppy and the saw cut the aluminum miter box! So be careful...
I use the aluminum box for my CBG fretboards using a wedge piece of wood to hold the board in place. I use a framing square for larger fretboards.
Haven't had the problem of cutting into the box, but the handle did break on mine. I cut 2 pieces of wood and attached them on each side of the saw by drilling through the wood and saw top clamp and then put small bolts through with some nuts to hold it all tight.
Good reason, Roland. The best way to get your time and money worth is a simple fretless. A stick in a box.
Richard, the modern yardsticks I have gotten from Lowes and Home Depot are SOFT wood. But as far as neck strength, glued up to one inch hardwood (or even pine) I think they add a lot of strength. The vintage yard sticks seem to be of tougher wood, but it's getting so I hate chopping them up.
I think the issue with the soft wood yard sticks could be with a lot of finger chording and picking could wear that wood faster. For fretless, they should be great. For fretted, it would take a lot of playing to wear them down. I sure do like the look of a yardstick finger board.
Roland, unless you are a perfectionist, I encourage you to just dive in and do a couple of simple builds and enjoy. Then work your way into harder builds if that is still your desire.
Definitely not a perfectionist, but I am trying to just make something that'll last a while as funding is very tight for me for the next few months.
I've always used Red Oak for my fretboards/fingerboards. I like the way the grain looks, it holds frets very well and it takes strain well or looks fine natural.
Always get it at Lowe's or Home Depot. Also make my necks out of it. It's a good durable hardwood and offers a bright tone to my ears.
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