Official Luthiers Forum!

I have been over at Stew Mac trying to figure out how to orer a fretboard for my Harp Guitar. The plans call for a 25.5" scale FB, with 12th fret at body. How is the 12th fret location assured?? The custom neck is smallish, but I just do not understand how minimal specifications can assure this (e.g. neck design)

Mike

Todd,

Yes, but it seems odd to me that WITHOUT specifying that you want the 12th fret at the body, it would just "work out" to do so. Why am I mystified by this?

Mike

Mike,
Your thinking too much and not reading enough. The fretboards are slotted and radiused. They are not cut to final width. It will be supplied to you at 2 3/8" wide. You then cut the board to width using your nut width and your width at the body marked at whichever fret you choose.

Steve

Thanks Steve... that finally explained it to me.

Mike

No problem Mike. Don't forget to subtract the width of your bindings if your binding the fretboard. Also, remember to measure from the centerline. Don't ask how I know about these things. One step forward, two steps back.

Steve

Well, when you mentioned the oversized width of the FB, I finally got it. I am "used" to buying preshaped boards (three so far). They just "worked". But the harp is custom everything. Heading over to Stew Mac to place my order.

Mike