Fretboard woes (on my Custom)

You could try warmoth. I think they make pre slotted boards.

I am building some projects lately and have considered doing a neck. But to me "making" a fret board seems a lot more dangerous then buying one or even having a custom fretboard made.

I think the caculations should be the place to cut the slot. Or the center of the fret if you want to look at it that way.

 

The fret calculator will give you the center of the fret, which should also be the center of your fret slot. Its not so scary. Practice on a piece of scrap first.

(this is also why so many people make a fretless bass as their first instrument, though most people can't play them )

FF

 

Fretless are more correct instruments anyway.

Brendan, I'd love to see the bass when you finish! Got any specs ready yet?

 

A fret calculator gives you the location of the "center" of the fret slot as previously stated. Here is a hint. When you measure out where your fret should be, mark the location with a very sharp tool. I have a special scribe to mark fret locations on a fingerboard. It is very sharp and pointed like a needle. I have also heard of people using a razor blade to mark the spot. If you use a pencil the line will be to thick and when you make the cut you will be ever so slightly off, putting your fret more likely than not ahead of the position it should be in.

Not a big deal you say... well if all of your frets are a pencil line off, as you closer to the body (up the scale) your notes will become flatter.

Just a hint.

Joe Weiss
Weiss Custom Basses

 

1) Collect all the tools you can collect.
2) Get every book you get on the subject. This includes books on guitars as well. Books on building, repair, setup, etc.
3) Read, read and read some more.
4) Practice, practice and practice.
5) If you can take classes take them every time you can. Even if already know some of the stuff. I always try new techniques, and read what-ever I can get my hands on.

Matter of fact, I have time scheduled with Larry Robinson and Frank Ford in a few months. I also am going to be working with Bill Moll, something you should attempt to do (http://www.mimf.com/bass.htm). He has an online bass building course over a 16 week period for $200. The way I see it, if you want to be the best, learn everything you can, from everyone you can learn it from. Every class, book and luthier you meet will have something different to teach you. If you stop learning you are in trouble.

Currently I am working on new prototype bass myself. A signature series if you want to call it that. As well I do not limit myself to just basses (okay nobody read that last part) Actually I am making my way into a custom line instead of only making repairs or modifications. I am working on guitars for Bill Hart, and have a prototype bass in the works for Adam Nitti to name a few. (okay so that last bit was a shameless plug).

I will be happy to assist you anyway I can.

Joe Weiss
Weiss Custom Basses.

 

Welcome and thanks for your informative posts, it's great to have pro's involved with the forum (particularly one from Atlanta). Are you working out of a guitar shop or your own place?

Wow, Bill Hart? I haven't seen him in years, since I was at AIM. Tell him Joe Fleming says hello.

 

Hey Brendan, you going to have a body on that bass?

Good advice, Joe Weiss! I may have to take that online course! Thanks for the tip!

 

My own shop in my home at the moment. Doubt I will go anyplace else and get a shop, because I can't beat the price.

Yeah, I chat with Bill all the time. I took classes from him both in private and at AIM myself. He is a great guy and I learned a ton from him.

Like I said, you guys should check out the Bass Course by Bill Moll. You can't beat the price, and I have heard really really good things about him from other people.

Thanks for the warm welcome to the Forum.

Joe Weiss
Weiss Custom Basses

 

Luthiers Mercantile International (http://www.lmii.com/) will Slot (to whatever scle you want) and Radius (I think they only do 16" currently) a board for you for like $7 for each process. Keep in mind that no matter how nice the rest of the bass is if the board is not layed out properly it'll suck.

 

Brendan, as someone from Canadia, I take offense to your quote....oh wait I'm from Canada, not Canadia,....nevermind.