Official Luthiers Forum!

I ordered a fretboard from LMI about a year ago (just now using it) and noticed that there is a small area above what would butt up to the nut, that has to be removed. There is basically a slot just like the ones lower on the fretboard so it shouldn't be a problem removing that area. The problem is when I put up another fretboard up to this one (both being 25.34 scale) and I align all the slots down the fretboard, the tops don't line up if I cut the new fretboard down this line (see pictures).

LMI on left Martin fretboard on right ( the martin is correct )




As you can hopefully see, If I cut the fretboard top overhang at the slot they have provided, it would be shorten the fretboard and I guess shortening the scale.

Do you think this is a defective board?

Since it is over a year old, I don't think they will take it back. Is this scrap-wood now?

_________________
Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

It may be that one is 25.4" and the other is 25.34"... Martin uses 25.34" (sometimes referred to as 25.4"). Other suppliers will offer 25.4", but they are not the same...
Steve

_________________
Steve Sollod (pronounced sorta like "Solid")
www.swiftcreekguitars.com

My guess would be that the one with the zero fret is fine and the other is long but measuring is the only way to find out. In theory, by the way, if you cut the board off at the zero fret, it will be something like .011" short (half the thickness of the kerf). In practice, that tends to be a good thing for intonation. I always remove a bit more from the bass side which helps to keep the the first fret notes on the bass strings from being sharp. Lots of different theories on that though.

_________________
http://www.chassonguitars.com

Steve, The one on the right is from martin and is 25.4 but actually 25.34 and the one on the left is from LMI and I had them custom cut it 25.34 ( because my jig is only for 25.34 actual scale length).

Kent, that is about how much the LMI is short (0.011-0.015). Ok, so I measured both boards and came up with this:

1. From Zero-frt to #1 the martin board (right) is long like you suggested. It is actually closer to the measurements from a 25.5 scale length (but all the rest of the frets are on the 25.34 when measured fret to fret)

2. From what I could eye-ball, the LMI from 0 to 1 is 1.411 and the Martin is 1.431

NOTE: I am measuring this from the edge of the board where the nut would meet and the middle of the slot on the first fret (is that right??)

So, are both wrong?

_________________
Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

Just got off the phone with LMI (very nice customer service), and they offered to replace the board but that it would be the exact same ( zero fret to first fret short by 0.011"). The man was not sure if there was any rhyme or reason for this. A manager is supposed to contact me.

Thoughts: My last guitar the exact martin fretboard as the one on the right, and it is 0.011 long and sounds spot on......should 0.011 short be that big of a deal?

_________________
Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma

[quote="000lover"]Just got off the phone with LMI (very nice customer service), and they offered to replace the board but that it would be the exact same ( zero fret to first fret short by 0.011").
That should be just fine as you can always compinsate at the nut if needed. Too long is always harder to correct.

The manager called me back last night and told me they should be right on and that they didn't add or subtract for compensation. So, I guess I'm sending it back

_________________
Bro. Matthew A.
Oklahoma