Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

[1984]

I got a cheap unfinished chinese neck which I am using for my first guitar build. The fretboard on it however is not properly sanded flat. When i put a notched straight edge on the fretboard I am able to but a 0.20 - 0.30 feeler gauge under the last 5-7 frets. Its even visible to the eye that the fretboard is thinner at the last frets. So this needs to be fixed.

My plan is to get a long 450mm aluminium radius gauge, if this works like I think it should i should be able to apply preassure in the middle and sand down the fretboard until it is even all over. I assume as long as i keep the preassure in the middle this should be fine. I got this idea from another similar thread on this forum.

However, what do I do about the truss rod? how do i know that the neck is straight when the fretboard itself is uneven, should i just adjust the truss rod so that it is even on the first 12 or so frets (which seems to be level)? I was recommended on another forum to completely slacken the russ rod then sand the fretboard, does this seem like the right method of doing this?

img:

https://ibb.co/jt5z78

https://ibb.co/jJYmn8

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Using a notched edge really serves no purpose. What the frets are doing is far more important than the board. Check the frets with a regular straightedge and level them as needed.

Just the labor of refretting the neck exceeds its value, and you will most likely have to widen the slots to accept new wire (unless you find the same cheap thin wire the Chinese use).

However, the correct method to level a fretboard is to tighten the rod just snug and then level. You want just a hint of back bow after the new frets are pressed in. You know you did it right when you don't have to level the new frets.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

When i put a notched straight edge on the fretboard I am able to but a 0.20 - 0.30 feeler gauge under the last 5-7 frets. Its even visible to the eye that the fretboard is thinner at the last frets.

Fallaway in the last frets is advantageous.

 

[1984]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Fallaway in the last frets is advantageous.

So I might actually be better off just leaving it as it is? when i measure the top of the frets it show something between a 0.200-0.40mm (it gets steeper higher up) clearance on the last 7 or so frets.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Fallaway is desired by some and certainly can't hurt. You will want to wait until the guitar is complete to do the final tweaking, and you will want to see how the neck reacts under string tension.

 

[1984]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Fallaway is desired by some and certainly can't hurt. You will want to wait until the guitar is complete to do the final tweaking, and you will want to see how the neck reacts under string tension.

I have never seen a guitar with such a noticeable "fallaway". I googled it, and fallaway is usually only done to the last 2 or 3 frets . Besides the fretjob is not especially good so I would like to just remove the frets. Also, i cant determine the necks radius since its seems to vary between 12-14.

My idea is to get the neck dead straight then level the fretboard. After all, I usually adjust my necks dead straight since thats how i like them so I believe I also should level the fretboard with the neck straight. As long as it straight between the 1 and 12th freth I think I should be good.

 

[1984]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Fallaway is desired by some and certainly can't hurt. You will want to wait until the guitar is complete to do the final tweaking, and you will want to see how the neck reacts under string tension.

By the way, when you said to thighten the truss slightly, you mean so the middle is pushing up right? so that i can measure a slight bow, and being able to wobble the straight edge back and forth?

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

No, I mean tighten just past completely loose.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

right, you just turn it till you feel a touch of resistance and leave it there so it isnt putting pressure on the neck

 

[texred]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

If this is OT, just kick me off. Can I sand a set neck down and maintain the integrity of the guitar? Seems my wrist doesn't really like the C of the HardTail (or it doesn't like me), but the slim taper or D or whatever is on Epi LP P90s is fine. Sorry for the wrong lingo-can't find specs I know I have. I was wondering about slimming the neck in just the back-not up to the fretboard? My hands just aren't big enough.

Hope Jeff doesn't disown me.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

If this is OT, just kick me off. Can I sand a set neck down and maintain the integrity of the guitar? Seems my wrist doesn't really like the C of the HardTail (or it doesn't like me), but the slim taper or D or whatever is on Epi LP P90s is fine. Sorry for the wrong lingo-can't find specs I know I have. I was wondering about slimming the neck in just the back-not up to the fretboard? My hands just aren't big enough.

I have done this with four guitars, three of which I still own. I did two about 20-25 years ago (both are still fine today) and two within the past couple years. As long as you don't take off so much wood that you break into the truss rod channel you should be fine. I like narrow, slim necks and before I started sanding them down I had to hunt and hunt for guitars that felt right to me. Now I just make it fit my preference.
Of course, I wouldn't do it to a valuable and/or classic instrument, but for my partscasters and my unloved 1977 Gibson Marauder it's no guilt at all. You can narrow them, too, if you have a decent belt sander or a hand file and don't mind refinishing the edge of the fingerboard and the ends of the frets. Did that to the Marauder and to an old Warmoth neck I bought last year. No regrets, they are my favorite guitars to play!

 

[texred]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

You are the only encouraging one !! Sounds like I could do it myself, if I get a lighter touch. I've been sanding enamel in the house. I love this guitar-2007 Dean HardTail Select, but my hands are too small for C neck or whatever it is. I don't have the knowledge/ability to do fretwork, but I was wondering if I could kind of reshape the rear so it's more of a D or slim taper, but not work all the way around to the fretboard-try and leave it alone. Is that possible? I can deal with edges of frets and board. A couple people talked about shaving------>firewood. So you say sanding is enough to satisfy you? No shaving? This is mahogany, so not so sturdy as others. I would have to be delicate, I assume. Truss rods are ugly. Thank you!

 

[mxaniac]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

FYI I had a Chinese LP with something like maple for a neck. It was bent all this way and that so I heated it and straightened it. While I was able to get it straight and flat without strings, it would always bow in the wrong spot when you attached strings and adjusted the truss rod. I was never able to get it to play properly, my takeaway was that not every piece of wood is suitable for a guitar neck.

 

[texred]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Yeah, that sounds like firewood. I don't have any patience, sooo. . .target practice. My HardTail is Mahogany, and I've decided I need to change my technique, instead of it. Dave sounds like he knows what he's doing, but I don't. If I let go of my patented Gorilla Grip and put my thumb where it's supposed to be, I can almost handle E string. But I'm a noob, so it will get easier. And I have an Epi LP P90's that WAS made for me, so I'm not destitute. Thanks for the advice. I guess it rained in China that day, huh? My strat, LP, and Dean are all fkn Chinese ! Poverty sucks.

Queen of $99 Guitars (in case you have one for sale). I wanted a single coil, P90's, and humbuckers, so I got that. However, always looking . . .

 

[Adieu]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

FYI I had a Chinese LP with something like maple for a neck. It was bent all this way and that so I heated it and straightened it. While I was able to get it straight and flat without strings, it would always bow in the wrong spot when you attached strings and adjusted the truss rod. I was never able to get it to play properly, my takeaway was that not every piece of wood is suitable for a guitar neck.

Is the emphasis supposed to be on *in the wrong spot*?

Cuz if not....ALL necks will bow when strung up and tuned up. If it's flat and not backbowed in the slightest when unstrung, chances are itll be a mess once strung up

 

[texred]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Another thing that can cause lumpy fretboards is fret slot width variations. If the fret slots vary in width. And consistent width frets are installed. When strung up to pitch the fret slot pinches the fret. If width of slot varies then neck straightness varies. Fret work requires attention to smallest details

Yes, I have a ghost writer sometimes, but I'm learning.

 

[Chistopher]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Is the emphasis supposed to be on *in the wrong spot*?

Cuz if not....ALL necks will bow when strung up and tuned up. If it's flat and not backbowed in the slightest when unstrung, chances are itll be a mess once strung up

Often times, but rarely, will a neck have too much bow even with proper truss rod adjustment, that's what mxaniac is talking about. But yeah, sometimes they bow in the wrong spot. I've never had it happen to me, but no doubt it's possible.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

Hope Jeff doesn't disown me.

:-0 Sacrilege I say, sacrilege. But, it should be comfortable for you to play, and it's yours to do with as you please.

 

[texred]

Re: Fixing a unfinished cheap chinese neck with uneven fretboard

I'm not touchin it baby. Except for spit & shine.:friday: