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Permalink Reply by Allen on April 15, 2016 at 1:28pm

I'm in the finishing stages on my first CBG build . I, after reading more then I probably should have, roughed in my neck cut the fret slots in the fretboard, then glued it on the neck. I then sanded and shaped the neck to my liking{ came out really nice.}Then I set my frets and filed and sanded them smooth, this seemed to work very well. I did"nt have to worry about messing up any stain or finish. I stained the box, then decided to stain the neck, so I masked off the fretboard with blue painters tape, again it worked out well. The neck and headstock is Hickory, the fretboard is Cherry with Walnut dots and stainless frets. The natural neck really looks good. I really think all sanding and filing should be done before any finishing. Why take a chance.  Allen          

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Permalink Reply by Gidit 'n Go Coolbreeze on June 11, 2011 at 3:29am

Thanks everyone for the tips.  I learned so much just lurking around here, but I've asked one question and saved myself hours in frustration!  Sounds like my plan was somewhat flawed, but now I know before I get into that part of the build.  No need to drive a train down a dirt road if there's tracks nearby!  Thanks again, I'll make sure to post pics as soon as the builds done

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on April 16, 2016 at 1:46am

This is a real Chicken or Egg question.  Try both ways.  I almost always apply fret board before finishing. Part of my neck preparation is "decking" the neck to a perfect flatness on a flat table with glued on sandpaper.  That way I (almost) never have to dress frets, except for finishing the ends.

the best,

Wichita Sam

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Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on April 16, 2016 at 2:32am

Baked fretboards

Wrap in foil, bake at 220 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes. Darkens them to the core. If you do not want a fire do not forget the foil.

Gibson have been doing baked maple fret boards on production guitars for years.

I haven't heard of people baking a neck but your mileage may vary.

A lot of people are doing it at

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Permalink Reply by Titch the Clown on April 16, 2016 at 3:55am

The 2 by 4 challenge over at the ukulele underground luthiers lounge.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on April 16, 2016 at 8:19am

I have stained fretboards before gluing them to the neck, like when I want to fake ebony by using ebony stain on a poplar fretboard. I usually cut fret slots first, then make sure it is pretty darn close to the width of the neck,(cause if I have to sand it, it will sand off the stain) then stain it, but keep in mind that oil stain will keep your glue from holding so I tape off the back of the fretboard with good masking tape first, and use the stain sparingly. Then I apply whatever finish after gluing it up and installing frets.

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Permalink Reply by JL on April 20, 2016 at 12:49am

I do it wrong.  I cut the fret slots, stain the fret board, install the frets, glue it on, sand and file the sides and fret ends, then mask off the neck with painter's tape and restain the sides of the fretboard that the sanding messed up.

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Permalink Reply by BP - RabidSalad - on April 23, 2016 at 12:39pm

Thought I'd chime in with the method I use, maybe it can help someone.

I generally choose contrasting woods from neck and fret boards but sometimes I'll stain a fret board to bring out interesting grain.  What I do if I've glued the fret board to the neck and change my mind and stain it.  I first finish sanding the neck to completion.  Then I mask off the fret board and press hard on the edges of the tape to ensure a good seal.  Then I spray clear lacquer over the neck, generally a couple light coats, to seal it off. 

When you remove the tape you can then stain the fret board without worrying about getting stain on the neck and botching the job, having to resand everything. When you get the stain you like, then seal everything in with a few more coats of lacquer.  done...

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