truss channel in fingerboard?

[jordan_frerichs]

i had to run the fb end of one of my necks through the jointer. no the truss channel is not deep enough. i figured since the neck is tapered already, it would be easier to put the rest of the channel under the fingerboard, with is getting a flat radious anyway. the fingerboard is 1/4" at the moment, and will be fretted. is it a good idea to put part of a truss channel in the fingerboard?

[scottyd]

I think that's asking for trouble, you should find a way to deepen the channel, If you saved the scrap that was cut off when you cut the taper, you could tape it back in place to resquare the blank so that you can use a router and guide to deepen the slot. If not you could make a piece to do the same thing. Routing a channel in the fingerboard will likely weaken it and if you go too deep you can easily get into the fret slots.

[mikeyswood]

I had a couple of instruments with relief cuts in the fb for the truss. I still don't quite understand them. I am with Scotty; if you can find a way to get the channel deeper that is the way to go.

[202dy]

A couple of thoughts:

One way to do it, albeit tedious, is to use a Dremel tool with a flush cutting burr/bit to follow the truss channel walls. It will take a while but will get the job done in a few passes. The waste in the middle can be removed with either the same set up or with a sharp mortise chisel.

Another way to do it would be to clamp straight block(s) on top of the existing channel and use the same router setup you used before with a top bearing bit. Less tedious, but it is somewhat problematic to balance a full size router on top of narrow blocks. However, larger blocks could be fastened onto the neck either mechanically or with glue to provide a stable surface.

[Son of Magni]

You might consider shimming up the top of the neck instead. Just make two pieces the required thickness, one for each side of the truss rod slot and glue them onto the neck under the FB. You could even use a different color wood and claim you added it on purpose as a highlight

[vbasscustom]

hmm, thats not a bad idea. haha, but im obviously not jordan... or am i BA BA BAAAA

[hover]

Yeah, don't compromise the fretboard...it's taking all the stress of the trussrod as it pushes up to counteract string pull, don't give it a reason to punch through.