Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on March 27, 2021 at 12:14pm

Welcome David, there are a number of reasons why builders choose a different hardwood fingerboard.

1) it covers a trussrod if fitted from the top face of the neck

2) it adds a bit more stability, especially if grain is oriented correctly.

3) not all neckwoods have a grain or cell structure that will grip the fret tang into its slot firm enough, fingerboard material is selected with this in mind.

4) it adds a decorative feature.

5) allows for better break angle of the string at the peghead...and

6) allows fretting to extend past the body if fingerboard goes over the body, at the heal.

7) some people can here a difference in tone when different fingerboards are used......

cheers Taff

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Permalink Reply by David on March 27, 2021 at 12:21pm

Thanks. That all makes sense. I just never heard the "why" in any of the videos.

So as to grain orientation, should they run parallel or perpendicular to each other?

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on March 27, 2021 at 3:38pm

Hi, l always aim for 1/4 saw timber for the neck and the fingerboard. If you have seen timber bowed or boards "cupped" (not flat) in the hardware store, it is probably slab cut instead of 1/4 cut, grain lines going from face to face when looked at the end grain of the board.
It is a more expensive process to cut a tree this way, but the end result is more stable.
Taff

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on March 28, 2021 at 1:26am

Hello.

Taffy is correct on ever point he made and for the record, I almost always use a separate fret board for the reasons he notes. However, if you go to a music store or ebay and look at the Fender Stratocaster you'll find that many (most/all) strats install frets directly into the neck (no fret board). So, building with no fret board is possible and done, so the option is open.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on March 29, 2021 at 5:31am

Another thing to add about fretting softer woods like Poplar is, don’t get it at any big box store. I would get it at a bonified lumberyard, big box stores sell young, hurry-dried wood, which is usually softer & less dense than the quality stuff you can get from the lumberyard? FYI lots of members usually go with oak, since it’s hard & readily available just about everywhere, another thing that will help is gluing the frets in, this will secure them even more so they won’t come out in the future? To reiterate on what Tom said, yes Fender makes a neck without a fretboard, but they don’t use anything softer than Maple so there’s no chance of fret sprout there? Good luck on your builds, you may want to peruse the Pics section for ideas? 

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Permalink Reply by RON NORTHCUTT on April 23, 2021 at 11:02am

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Permalink Reply by RON NORTHCUTT on April 23, 2021 at 11:08am

Just ran across this. I usually make my necks from red oak and rarely use a separate fingerboard. I have never had problems with frets seating and holding. I have tried to put frets into poplar and have trouble every time. If I were using softer necks then I would use a hardwood fingerboard.

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Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on April 23, 2021 at 2:45pm

Yea, Poplar with Oak Fretboard or all Oak Neck is a great & economical choice, just because it’s easy as pie to source & it’s still reasonable on the wallet? 

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Permalink Reply by Carl Floyd on April 24, 2021 at 3:22am

" I have tried to put frets into poplar and have trouble every time. If I were using softer necks then I would use a hardwood fingerboard."

Makes me question the use of yardsticks (way cool) as a fretboard.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 25, 2021 at 9:51am

Hi Carl, that's interesting that you have trouble every time you fret into Poplar, what is the trouble faced. I have never used Poplar for anything so I can't comment on how it works and so on, but I was surprised to find it's classed as a hardwood. But then so is Mahogany.

It would be interesting to know the difficulties faced.

cheers Taff

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Permalink Reply by Carl Floyd on April 25, 2021 at 2:27pm

Actually, I was quoting Ron above, Taff.

I agree that it is better to fret into harder woods.  Yardsticks seem to be from softer woods.  I think they look cool. but not sure it is such a good idea without using superglue.

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on April 25, 2021 at 5:18pm

Oops, sorry.

Taff

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