Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi
Do you think it matters if I do my fret leveling and recrowning before the
applying the finish or after. I was thinking that if done before, no risk to the
finish. If after, it is closer to the end of the construction of the guitar.

What are all of your thoughts

_________________
Andy Z.
http://www.lazydogguitars.com

Andy, for what it's owrth, I was planning on doing my current build before the finish. For the same reasons as you are. I don't really see what difference it would make, except for being easier.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

I usually fret after I finish. I use a dovetail neck joint and I like to
finish the neck and body separately. Once the finish is done I glue
the neck in and do a final leveling of the board before I install the
frets.

Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

I can't remember for sure, but I think it was Tim Mcknight's web site has a great article on fretboad leveling, fretting & truing up the frets. All the work is done after finishing & assembly of the neck to the body. (I arch the fingerboard before assembly)
I've used his method on 4 instruments now & I love it!
So far, I haven't caused any damage to the finish... either Nitro or catylized polyurethane.
I make a cardboard mask for the top & tape it firmly in place.
You gotta be sure to pick up all the fret trimmings & get rid of the filings, so they don't scratch the finish.
My fingerboards are MUCH straighter & fret dressing is WAY easier using this method.
Again... Just one more way to skin the cat.

i prefer to finish the neck and body separately to prevent finish build up at the heel/body and fb/top joins. so much easier to sand and buff out.

then attach the neck and then do the frets.

I level both fretboard and frets after the neck is attached to the body This insures they are in plane with the desired FB/bridge relationship.

I like to finish the neck and body separately and then assemble it and do all the fretwork.

_________________
Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

I've yet to find the perfect approach. The work really needs to be done after the neck is attached. But I really like the look of a guitar that is finished with the neck and body seperate.
What I've come to do is fret, bevel, level and crown with the neck screwed on prior to finish. Finish the guitar and then touch up if the extension needs it after it's glued down.
I try to do as little work as possible after finish as I like to drop things and file dents in a top are less than desireable.

[QUOTE=Daniel M] I can't remember for sure, but I think it was Tim Mcknight's web site has a great article on fretboad leveling, fretting & truing up the frets.[/QUOTE]

Tim posted this on the OLF's "jigs, tools and techniques" page.

What I am planning to do on this one is use a John Mayes style neck attachment. Seems to me that I can bolt the neck on, get everything fitted right, install/level the frets and then remove the neck for finishing. Once the finish is on I can remount the neck and do any minor touchups that are necessary.

I'll let you know if it works out as planned or if there are any unforeseen dangers lurking around that I didn't think of ahead of time.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars

[QUOTE=Dave Rector] What I am planning to do on this one is use a John
Mayes style neck attachment. Seems to me that I can bolt the neck on, get
everything fitted right, install/level the frets and then remove the neck for
finishing. Once the finish is on I can remount the neck and do any minor
touchups that are necessary.

I'll let you know if it works out as planned or if there are any unforeseen
dangers lurking around that I didn't think of ahead of time.[/QUOTE]

You can do (and I do this too) just that. It works well as long as you keep
the humidity under check (which we should be doing anyway)

_________________
John Mayes
http://www.mayesluthier.com

I level with the neck dead flat or with a little back bow if I need to
add some more relief to the fingerboard. If you level with simulated
string tension then you will take your relief out of the neck.

Louis

_________________
- Louis Freilicher

Oh No! Not another learning experience!

[QUOTE=John Mayes]You can do (and I do this too) just that. It works well as long as you keep
the humidity under check (which we should be doing anyway)[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the clarification John! I was hoping this would work, as it seems it would be a much simpler way to do it.

_________________
Dave Rector
Rector Guitars