Will a 21 fret fit a normal body?

bellis1 · #1 07-08-2011, 04:48 PM

So I ordered a standard cutout Jazz Body from Warmoth. Nothing fancy, besides it being Rear Routed and Black Korina. I ordered a Warmoth Neck off of eBay, and didn't realize until I received it, that its a 21 fret. As you can see in the picture, it has an over hang (the neck on the bottom)

I can't test it on my body because I don't have my body yet. Maybe one of you know off the top of your head?

allexcosta · #2 07-08-2011, 04:50 PM

Yes...

bellis1 · #3 07-08-2011, 04:51 PM

So will there just be a piece of wood hanging there? Doesn't seem very sturdy..

berwick63 · #4 07-08-2011, 04:52 PM

Yes, hence the overhang. If the neck wood was underneath the 21st fret it wouldn't fit. However, the overhang portion does just that. Overhangs onto the body

berwick63 · #5 07-08-2011, 04:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

So will there just be a piece of wood hanging there? Doesn't seem very sturdy..

It won't just be hanging there. It'll be right over the body, if not sitting directly on the body. I've seen plenty of necks with overhanging frets. I think it's a pretty typical thing.

bellis1 · #6 07-08-2011, 04:54 PM

Maybe the size on my P is different, but I happened to have a Precision lying around, and I tried to put the neck on there and the 21st fret just hung there with no support underneath it.

berwick63 · #7 07-08-2011, 04:56 PM

Yea, it's fine that way

berwick63 · #8 07-08-2011, 05:01 PM

Something like that? I know it's a guitar, but thats how it's gonna fit.

bellis1 · #9 07-08-2011, 05:11 PM

Yeah, thats what it looks like. Thanks for the reassurance! It had me worried.

allexcosta · #10 07-08-2011, 05:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

Maybe the size on my P is different, but I happened to have a Precision lying around, and I tried to put the neck on there and the 21st fret just hung there with no support underneath it.

It looks odd at first, but that's how they fit 21, 22 or 24 frets in the same body...

Don't worry, it's been done for decades, even Sadowsky does that on some models if I'm not mistaken...

berwick63 · #11 07-08-2011, 06:34 PM

Yea, the wood is definitely strong enough. Unless you like, jump on the end of it

darkstorm · #12 07-10-2011, 09:09 PM

Unless its a stupidly thin fretboard (warmouth is not in this catagory) its no problem and is normal way to add an extra fret for basses that arent designed for the extra fret. It would be rather difficult to crack or break the overhanging fret part of fretboard.

Jaco D · #13 07-10-2011, 09:23 PM

If there is a gap between the overhang and the top of the pickguard, just shim it with card stock(s) till the gap fills out. I think those "overhang" fretboards are strong enough, but the abovementioned suggestion is just for your peace of mind. I wouldn't be concerned with the overhang breaking off. I would be more concerned with the neck and neck pocket fit as well as the position of the bridge relative to the 12th fret and the second octave.

SGD Lutherie · #14 07-10-2011, 10:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jaco D

If there is a gap between the overhang and the top of the pickguard, just shim it with card stock(s) till the gap fills out.

No, don't do that. You will cause the end of the fingerboard to rise up and cause buzzing. There is no need to support the end of the fingerboard. Look at arch-top guitars, violins, and upright basses.

You want a small gap between the fingerboard extension and the pickguard. If the extension is sitting on the pickguard, that might be stopping the heel of the neck from seating all the way into the pocket, and that will cause the extension to warp up and cause buzzing on the high notes.

A rise in the end of the fingerboard is common on bolt on necks, and causes issues with getting a low action without buzzing, and it can be worse with fingerboards with extension like this if they are sitting on the pickguard too tightly.

When I built parts basses and the extension is resting on the pickguard, I rout the pickguard to leave clearance.

If it's just touching, that's OK. But you don't want to wedge anything in there. That's not serving a purpose and can cause problems in the future.

Marton · #15 07-10-2011, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bellis1

So will there just be a piece of wood hanging there? Doesn't seem very sturdy..

Have you ever seen a violin

?

SGD Lutherie · #16 07-10-2011, 11:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marton

Have you ever seen a violin

?

Yeah, I said the same thing about upright basses.

It's not an issue.