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Weird fretboard

Bexuga

Bexuga

Feb 21, 2018
96
42
Almada, Portugal
#1
I bought a fretboard from ebay, it was supposed to be a bass fretboard, but I got a piece of trash instead. It's about 44cm long, not even the same as a guitar.
Anyway, I got a refund, but I thought that maybe I could use it anyway, since they let me keep it.
What do you guys think? Can I make a playable instrument? What scale length should I build it in? Should I just throw it away a forget about it?
Whatever advice you have, I'll take it!
 

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#3
Gilmourisgod said:
The scale length is baked in, measure from nut end to 12th fret and double it, that’s your scale length. Photos too blurry to read, no idea what that was made for, a Uke?
Click to expand...
Thanks! I was trying to figure that out.
I don't really know, it came from a chinese seller, the only information I had was this

Size Chart:

24 Fret: Approx. 489 x 43-56 x 5mm / 19.25 x 1.69-2.20 x 0.20inch
10 Fret: Approx. 440 x 45-60 x 6mm / 17.32 x 1.77-2.36 x 0.24inch

I don't even know what the measures apply to, I should've thought twice before ordering.
 
#4
Gilmourisgod said:
The scale length is baked in, measure from nut end to 12th fret and double it, that’s your scale length. Photos too blurry to read, no idea what that was made for, a Uke?
Click to expand...
^THIS^ Since that thing is just a fretboard, and it has 24 frets; I'm thinking maybe a short scale bass (30 -30.5"). I have a couple of those with 24 frets; none of my guitars do, though. So, short scale bass gets my vote...:cool:

Bexuga said:
Thanks! I was trying to figure that out.
I don't really know, it came from a chinese seller, the only information I had was this

Size Chart:

24 Fret: Approx. 489 x 43-56 x 5mm / 19.25 x 1.69-2.20 x 0.20inch
10 Fret: Approx. 440 x 45-60 x 6mm / 17.32 x 1.77-2.36 x 0.24inch

I don't even know what the measures apply to, I should've thought twice before ordering.
Click to expand...
I have no idea, either - unless it's an example of the old military axiom: "If ya can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, then baffle 'em with bulls*#t..." :whistle:
 
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#5
What are the markings on the right side of the tape measure in that photo? At first glance, the 12th fret appears to line up with a 16 inch mark which would make this a 32" scale bass fret board. Then I noticed that the 32 cm mark on the tape lines up with that 16 inch mark... does not compute. Assuming the metric side of the tape is correct, the scale length of that board is around 25 1/4". Combine that with the fact that it's only got 19 frets and, well... I have no idea what you would use it for.
 
#6
AHaze said:
What are the markings on the right side of the tape measure in that photo? At first glance, the 12th fret appears to line up with a 16 inch mark which would make this a 32" scale bass fret board. Then I noticed that the 32 cm mark on the tape lines up with that 16 inch mark... does not compute. Assuming the metric side of the tape is correct, the scale length of that board is around 25 1/4". Combine that with the fact that it's only got 19 frets and, well... I have no idea what you would use it for.
Click to expand...
I thought it were inches too, but it's not, I don't really know what it is. From my measures, it a 23" 1/2 scale or something like that. I'm super disappointed. I'll either do a mock bass for show or just leave it and forget about it.
 
#7
GIBrat51 said:
^THIS^ Since that thing is just a fretboard, and it has 24 frets; I'm thinking maybe a short scale bass (30 -30.5"). I have a couple of those with 24 frets; none of my guitars do, though. So, short scale bass gets my vote...:cool:


I have no idea, either - unless it's an example of the old military axiom: "If ya can't dazzle 'em with brilliance, then baffle 'em with bulls*#t..." :whistle:
Click to expand...

I wish I could built a short scale, but not even that, I believe. It's kinda like 23" 1/2 scale, I'll measure again tomorrow with a better ruler.
 
#8
Well, I don't know where on Earth I got the idea it has 24 frets - I'll just blame it on my bifocals - as usual... Anyway, if it is a 23.5" scale fretboard? That puts it pretty much in the middle of "Short Scale Guitar" territory. Most of the ones I've looked at have a few more frets (22 seems to be the norm), but the scale (22" to 24") is definitely right...:cool:
 
#9
AHaze said:
What are the markings on the right side of the tape measure in that photo? At first glance, the 12th fret appears to line up with a 16 inch mark which would make this a 32" scale bass fret board. Then I noticed that the 32 cm mark on the tape lines up with that 16 inch mark... does not compute. Assuming the metric side of the tape is correct, the scale length of that board is around 25 1/4". Combine that with the fact that it's only got 19 frets and, well... I have no idea what you would use it for.
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's what I see too. It's 25.2" scale, 19 fret slots, 20 fret length overall. Suitable for an import-size acoustic guitar.
 
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#14
Gilmourisgod said:
Another day, another factoid. I had no idea there was such a thing as a short scale guitar. Now I want one!
Click to expand...

It's not really a short scale guitar. Most American made guitars are either 25 1/2" (Fender) or 24 3/4" (Gibson) size. Then there are some boutique and specialty guitars that are 25", sort of halfway in between.

And then there are the Indonesian Metric guitars, which can be something weird, like 25.20". Halfway between Fender and Gibson size. To appeal to everyone!
 

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