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I have a neck where some of the fret slots are deeper at the edge than the fret tang, leaving some visible gaps.I have a suitable color lacquer stick, a burn in knife, and an alcohol lamp. In all my literature I can't find the original refererence to filling the gaps by this method. It may have been an old Stew-Mac catalog or Trade Secret. I have an old neck I can experiment with, but any input on this technique would be helpfull; including proper fuel. Can I burn isopropyl , for example, or do I need to use pure ethanol which I would prefer to save for mixing shellac. I am aware that there are now electric knives available but for me it isn't worth the extra expense. Also I am now wondering if lacquer could be used for filling small playing surface chips rather than epoxy or super glue? What is a lacquer stick composed of, by the way? Thanks, Stringbender.

Sorry, too much faffing about for me - I'm a Superglue and fingerboard "dust" man.

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.

Most people use denatured alcohol (AKA methylated spirits). Common isopropyl is 70%. Not sure if that would burn very well. I just use my stove or a butane mini torch.

Cumpiano & Natelson discuss lacquer stick use. I think Behlen or mohawk have some youtube videos posted.

I Use them to fill fret slots on both new builds and re-frets. Quickest. easiest way I have found. I buy the ones from Behlins these days and they appear to be made of shellac actually. I use a propane torch kind of bunson burner style to heat my knives, very clean, no soot.

Now you see them.....


Now you don't.....

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Brian

You never know what you are capable of until you actually try.

https://www.howardguitarsdelaware.com/

Lacquer sticks will work, as Brian's photo shows....I believe I would trim the fret tang back a little... otherwise they might stick out the edge of the fgbd in the cold months....For a build, I believe I would bind the fingerboard.... no fret ends or lacquer stick filling to worry about...

Use denatured alcohol, not isopropyl. The isopropyl is sooting (orange flame tip). A knife with a curved tip works well to squish the molten lacquer into the fret slot. I have a wooden-handled knife for this purpose (Behlen?). The wooden handle keeps your hands from being burnt. After sanding smooth, you may have to go back & refill a few spots. It "drys" instantly, so there is no waiting to sand. Be careful with the alcohol burner, as the flame is nearly invisible.

I use a propane torch for the heat. If you use lacquer sticks, your leveling of the hard fill could damage the surrounding area. I use low heat burn in sticks. With those, you can smooth after filling with a felt pad or a paper towel as I do. You can heat and mix the colors for a good match. Mohawk is my supplier. I also did piano touch-ups for a few companies in town in my youth.

Michael