Newbie Fretless Neck Help needed

Yellow · #1 05-22-2007, 09:03 PM

Hi everybody,
I have asked a few q? before you were nice enough to point me in the right direction, I though I would come back for some more...

I am starting on a first bass (fretless) for myself.

1. I am wondering what is the formula or measurments for fret lines spacing on a fingerboard.

2. Excuse my ignorance, 35" scale refers to what measurment?
(fretboard lenght?)

3. Nut width for 6 string?

4. Trussrod and graphite rods? How many would you recommend?

There are probably threads on all this, I did check "read first "section, please dont be annoyed with newbie questions.

wilser · #2 05-22-2007, 09:22 PM

1. use fretfind, it's in the sticky FAQ

2. the distance from the bridge saddles to the nut

3. it's what you want, generally between 2" to 2.25"

4. I just use one truss rod and no carbon fiber rods (unless asked specifically by the customer).

All of these items have been discussed extensively in the past. Please use the search function. Plus, any of the books in the sticky FAQ will answer these questions and more.

ehque · #3 05-22-2007, 09:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wilser

1. use fretfind, it's in the sticky FAQ

2. the distance from the bridge saddles to the nut

3. it's what you want, generally between 2" to 2.25"

4. I just use one truss rod and no carbon fiber rods (unless asked specifically by the customer).

All of these items have been discussed extensively in the past. Please use the search function. Plus, any of the books in the sticky FAQ will answer these questions and more.

actually tho, wouldn't 2 be

2. twice the distance from the 12th fret to the nut?

Musiclogic · #4 05-22-2007, 09:41 PM

Scale refers to the overall length from the bridge to the nut.

You can dicern the scale by measuring fro the nut to the 12th and then doubling, but the scale still remains the same.

Yellow · #5 05-22-2007, 11:33 PM

Ok thanks, that helps.

If I can throw in 1 more question, how do you guys cut the neck for 13 degree flip. Do you use bandsaw? or hand cut it?

What are the options?

wilser · #6 05-23-2007, 05:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow

Ok thanks, that helps.

If I can throw in 1 more question, how do you guys cut the neck for 13 degree flip. Do you use bandsaw? or hand cut it?

What are the options?

before I had a bandsaw I used a japanese saw (ryoba)

ehque · #7 05-23-2007, 07:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Scale refers to the overall length from the bridge to the nut.

You can dicern the scale by measuring fro the nut to the 12th and then doubling, but the scale still remains the same.

well, the length from the nut to bridge differs for each string, how is this properly measured...?

wilser · #8 05-23-2007, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ehque

well, the length from the nut to bridge differs for each string, how is this properly measured...?

You have to move the saddles all the way out (the one that goes the furthest) and that's your scale length. From there you have to COMPENSATE for string gauges, this is why it's different.

Yellow · #9 05-23-2007, 01:37 PM

Back to the neck joint, I know on the bandsaw it will still leave marks so then after do I sand it to join or use jointer. I assume the grain direction is good to keep in mind if it is going to be on a jointer.

What do you use to clean up the joint?

wilser · #10 05-23-2007, 02:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yellow

Back to the neck joint, I know on the bandsaw it will still leave marks so then after do I sand it to join or use jointer. I assume the grain direction is good to keep in mind if it is going to be on a jointer.

What do you use to clean up the joint?

I have used a handplane and currently used a router on a jig (see my scarf joint tutorial in the sticky FAQ). Others use a stationary sander, although some have expressed that this may lead to a weaker joint than a planed, routed or jointed surface.