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I have 3 classical guitars in 3 different scale length 540-650 and 660. 2 with flat fingerboards and 1 with a radiused fingerboard. The scale length doesn't really make much difference in my playing ability.
However, after years of playing, I definitely prefer the radiused fingerboard...But, the natural bend of my finger, when barring, seems to prefer the 3 base string fingerboard to be flat and the 3 treble strings to be radiused. I choose to play different guitars for different selections because of how they play. Seems a bit crazy...but it looks to me like a half and half fingerboard is a solution to the use of multiple guitars.
Has anyone ever had any requests for such a custom classical fingerboard? 1/2 Flat and 1/2 radiused.????

It may be my next classical build option.
Kent Bailey

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

You could maybe take a wooden radius block and sand down one half flat.

Great suggestion Ed, but wouldn't it be easier to sand one half of a flat board into a radius, and adjust the nut and bridge?

Sanding a radius board flat on one half will produce fret board that is not "flat" to the neck with a hump between the 3rd and 4string. Where as sanding a radius in a half of flat board would not be as much of a drastic change.

As long as the flat board has enough meat in it to be sanded I think it will work although a half curved, half flat fret may present some seating problems.

and bending the 3rd or 4th strings may also produce problems.

Would be interesting to find out.


blessings
the
Padma

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The fretboard needs to be thick enough - if it is 1/4" thick then you have enough room for a radius anywhere from 10" on up. You would need to yank the frets, radius, deepen the fret slots and refret/crown/dress.

It is an interesting idea - I'm half tempted to try it myself. Get it? Half-tempted...

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The member formerly known as erikbojerik....

I see the thickness issue problem with doing this with an existing guitar fingerboard. I definitely will try it on my next build. I don't know about other people hands but if I slowly bend my index finger (as if I were barring a chord) it has the most bend near the second knuckle with much less bend at the first knuckle. Could be a new feature only created to satisfy my ganrly hands.
Kent

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Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

Yo, Bailey

I sometimes mount my fret boards on an angle (tilted up on the treble side) so that the player don't get a bad case of "Guitar neck" in their posture from endin over and bsticken the head out to look down at the fret board.

So what if a radius board was installed in the reverse ...tilted down on the treble side or if you wish , tilted up on the base side. This tilt would in effect sorta cause the three low strings to appear to be nearly "flat" to your hand. Of course the nut and bridge would need to be mounted on an angle as well. Now if you find this design feature of interest and use it ...

1) I hope you have a good cellular working memory of the fret board cuz "guitar neck" ain't fun.

2) Write "C/O the Padma" on the back of a $50, sign it and drop it off into your local food bank donation box. Lotta hungry people out there.


blessings
the
Padma

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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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IF... I use your splendid idea.....AND, IF... I ever see a $50.00 bill again, I'l consider forwarding it to you.
Thanks to all.
Kent

_________________
Wood Creations by Kent A. Bailey
EXCELLENCE IN SCULPTURE, CARVING, LUTHIER, ARCHITECTURAL MILLWORK AND DESIGN

http://www.kabart.com

I'm just learning to play on the classical I recently made. It has a flat fingerboard, and it takes every bit of effort I have to keep the B-2 string from buzzing on a barre. I've been planning the next build and I want to do the same thing with radiusing just a bit on the treble end to lower the E-1 string so that access to the B-2 is better for my overly meaty upper section on my index finger.

Another option would be to refret this neck and take down the FB first to provide some relief. I have plenty of FB thickness and saddle height so that won't be a problem. The only problem is getting over the hesitation of performing that level of surgery on #1 before I have #2 in hand.

Yo Paul,

Ya ya ya, ...just do it!

the
Padma

_________________
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Audiences and dispensations on Thursdays ~ by appointment only.


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