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 Post subject: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 3:00 am 
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Cocobolo
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Joined: Sat Aug 08, 2015 1:36 am
Posts: 351
Hi

Getting to the stage where i can tackle the fretboard fitting as the necks nearly done
Image

Bit more work needed on the neck angle but then it hit me.. what about the fretboard thickness?


Does it need to be the same thickness as the bridge as a rule or is there other methods/formulas etc

Any info would be greatfully received :)


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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 5:49 am 
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First name: Don
Last Name: Parker
City: Charleston
State: West Virginia
Zip/Postal Code: 25314
Country: USA
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Status: Amateur
I start with a flat fingerboard that is 1/4 inch thick, then radius it, trying to leave the middle at the original 1/4 inch thickness.



These users thanked the author doncaparker for the post (total 2): unkabob (Sat Sep 05, 2015 2:24 pm) • cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 6:14 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 7:47 am 
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That's a nice looking guitar!
I do the same as Don, for no particular reason.
Dan

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These users thanked the author dzsmith for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:12 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:08 am 
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Cocobolo
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You should set the neck so that the tops of the frets hit right at the top surface of the bridge when the neck is straight (no relief). Standard thickness for fretboards is .250.

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These users thanked the author Greg Maxwell for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:13 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 12:45 pm 
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Cocobolo
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First name: Alan
Last Name: Jones
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I am the same, .250" but I am a bit different with my neck carve....I have the fretboard glued to the neck before I start to carve it. I find it makes the transition of fretboard to neck less visible if both are carved and sanded together.

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These users thanked the author tysam for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 1:25 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 1:24 pm 
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0.250" on the fretboard thickness. I also glue the radiused, unfretted board to the neck before carving.

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These users thanked the author SteveSmith for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 1:25 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 2:33 pm 
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Koa
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Joined: Sat Nov 07, 2009 9:34 pm
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City: winnipeg
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I fret first and glue in place on a carved neck and then blend it in using the "shoeshine" technique using 80 and/or 120 grit.
A straight-edge at the center of the frets should kiss the top of the bridge.

Bob :ugeek:



These users thanked the author unkabob for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 3:11 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 3:15 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Wed Feb 20, 2008 7:15 pm
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Bridges are typically 3/8 thick with about 1/8 of saddle coming out to give the 'standard' 1/2 string height over the soundboard. I aim for 1/4 fingerboard thickness.



These users thanked the author meddlingfool for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 4:29 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 4:03 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Well, gee whiz, wouldn't you just know it, mine were different. Because I rabbited the binding into the fingerboard, mine were 5/16" thick. Binding ends up about 3/16" as there is about 1/16" radius on the edge. Just the Larson way of doing it...



These users thanked the author Haans for the post: cablepuller1 (Sat Sep 05, 2015 4:30 pm)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 6:37 pm 
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Clearly .25" is traditional. However, my personal preference is 5/16" also, with non adjustable reinforcement. I did one the Larson way with rabbeted fretboard binding as Haans describes. It looks nice.



These users thanked the author Greg B for the post: cablepuller1 (Sun Sep 06, 2015 2:11 am)
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 Post subject: Re: Fretboard thickness
PostPosted: Sat Sep 05, 2015 8:23 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Joined: Fri Dec 14, 2007 3:21 pm
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I just had a Larson Brothers guitar come into my shop and saw the rabbited fretboard binding and loved it. It is definitely in my future.

I carve the neck after the unfretted board is attached. .250 thick prior to radius.

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These users thanked the author Terence Kennedy for the post: cablepuller1 (Sun Sep 06, 2015 2:11 am)
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