Fretboard removal and replacement

Oinkus

Oinkus

New member
My first try at changing rosewood to ebony , used an iron with steam on high took about 30 min total. Got it hot and used the scraper/putty knives to slide under board starting at the 22nd fret and working back to the nut. Can only heat about a third of it at a time and a bolt on neck seems to be the easiest to do this to.(HM Strat is first on the list to change!) I had a ebony board with some frets in it someone else started and a hotrod 2 way truss rod , will require a little shaping of the neck and a deeper/longer route for the truss rod. Leaving a little space at top of fretboard for a Gibson style 1/4" nut instead of the Strat type. Now I am going to have to borrow some fretting tools and start that journey.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Awesome! 24 frets on the new one huh? Keep us posted I'm interested to see how this one turns out
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Wouldn't the 24th fret hang over the neck pickup? Or do you not have a neck pickup?
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Going to have to trim it to 22 , it is going to end up on a friends guitar I am going to build that bought me an LTD Hybrid II. Think it was an older 70ish Ibanez Strat type but not sure. This neck came off a Washburn Lyon , it has a nice shape that is a touch on the slim side.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

How are you going to deal with the nut area......obviously the new fretboard terminates at the nut
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

I left a 1/4" space for a Gibson style nut , the lines are drawn on the neck for where the fretboard ends and where the 22nd fret falls. Will round off the 23rd fret to match the neck. It is perfectly flat and the nut will sit across the route for the truss rod up against the fretboard.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

I know you will already know this but make sure you use small clipped nails as guide pins to align the board as you glue it down.You SHould leave the 24 fret over hang on and just mod/push the neck pickup towards the bridge. :fing2:

A bit captain obvious i know,
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Looks like you got the old board off nice and clean. Good job. Its been quite a wile since I've replaced a board. The last one was on an old Marten.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

It came of very easily and I didn't butcher the neck wood at all , cleaned up with just a couple swipes of 80 grit. I spent the last $40 I have to get some end clippers a fret end file and a neck caul to hold it while I work. Not desiring to learn new skills! Kramersteen I am not understanding how to use the nails as guides ? I have to sand the neck to make it fit the fretboard it is a little wider at the top of the neck. I have to look at the body I am going to put it into at some point , guy is out on a boat catching scallops should be back in a a couple weeks or 3. Think it has 3 single coil routes so it might be a little tight for moving , it is already gaining one fret if I cut it down to 22.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Before you actual glue the board on, aline it and clamp it in place, making sure you don't warp, bend or twist the neck in the process. Then drill a couple of 5/64" holes through the fret slots (say one at fret #2 and one at fret #20) and in to the neck being careful to not go too deep. Then you can use tooth picks (clip the ends off first) as dowel pins to keep the board positioned during the gluing process. You need to make sure you are using round tooth pick of the proper diameter. After the glue sets up it is a simple matter of clipping the excess off and using your fret saw to cut down through the remainder of the tooth picks in the fret slots. Any that is showing after that will be covered by the crown of the fret. This is how I do it and it works very well.
 
Re: Fretboard removal and replacement

Already has frets in it , look at the pic . Replacing the rosewood board with the ebony one that has 24 frets , cutting it down to fit the length.
 
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