Beginner Questions - ABCs

Comment

Comment by Mike S on September 13, 2013 at 9:37pm

If you are using steel strings, the tension will be the same for elec or acoustic. My oak necks are just a 20mm X 40-50mm slice of board. No finger board, frets are set straight in. Haven't noticed any bending yet, but if you are using a wound pup, you'll need to brace the back of the neck inside the box to allow for the cut out. Oak and mahogany are strong and stiff woods, unlike pine/willow etc.

Comment by Mark T. on September 13, 2013 at 2:22pm

If your making a 3 string electric do you need to reinforce the neck (truss rod) etc? Or is using oak and oak fret board enough?

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 26, 2013 at 5:50pm

I was using a small precision hack saw.  I have a coping saw but it doesn't work well.  I bought a fret saw and it has arrived.  So I guess I will try one more time.

PJ

Comment by Ted Crocker on April 25, 2013 at 10:53pm

What are you using for a fret saw?  Maybe the kerf is too wide.  I haven't had a problem with curved wire.

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 25, 2013 at 8:03pm

I wish among all the video's  etc.  that you find upon researching that someone would have said not to use curved fret wire!!  I have learned a lesson twice and now more confused than ever.  And a few dollars poorer!  It is NOT as easy as they show! Anyway... I will keep trying!

PJ

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 23, 2013 at 5:53pm

Thanks to you all!!  I will keep working on it.

PJ

Comment by Frank Tennyson on April 23, 2013 at 11:04am

PJ most do not use any curvature on 3 or 4-stringed fretboards. However if you look at any manufactured instrument coming from a factory you will find some curvature. Finger Barring the last two strings on a 3-stringer on a flat fretboard often is difficult for some, but barring the strings on a slightly curved fretboard is easier. Ergonamics!

Either glue and then clamp flat the fret wire for a flat fretboard and wire or put a slight curver to the fret board using any old mfg'ed guitar for reference.

Comment by jim on April 21, 2013 at 7:31pm

PJ, some folks use a small amount of super glue in the slot and then clamp the neck down flat on a table.

Comment by PJ Pilkington on April 21, 2013 at 1:12pm

On a my first two builds the fret wire I bought has a slight curve to it.  When I pounded them in they still seem to hump in the middle.  Should I try and get flat fret wire?  Any help would be appreciated.

PJ

Comment by Mike S on April 18, 2013 at 7:07pm

RE: What Wood?  My main preference for necks is mahogany. A single strip of 45-50mm X 20mm for a cbg type build where you dont have to cut a pickup in ie piezo. Full electrics get 2  35-40mm X 20 strips laminated together with join on the string side. Very strong! I usually source the timber from bed heads or old furniture brought very cheaply online. I like to finish with either Danish Oil or raw linseed, 3-5 coats of either. Had good results with English Oak in the same dimentions, but it's much harder than mahogany. Tone-wise I think Mahogany has the edge, but given the variables that go into a hand made instrument, I suspect it's a case of 'follow your bliss'.:-)

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