New fan fret 8 string build!

Serratus · Feb 21, 2015

Hahaha, you do realise it's not gonna stay that thick, right? LOL

Anyway, here's a pic from the front which shows the fan better

Obstsalat · Feb 21, 2015

i see you have ball-end frets. how'd you make them?
do you install and then file them or do you trim + round'em up before you put them in?

cuz i tried the first method and destroyed a fretboard with that

Hollowway · Feb 21, 2015

OH MY GOD! That is the best fret job I have ever seen! Bravo!

Serratus · Feb 21, 2015

Obstsalat said:
i see you have ball-end frets. how'd you make them?
do you install and then file them or do you trim + round'em up before you put them in?

cuz i tried the first method and destroyed a fretboard with that

I do each fret first. So I use a micrometer to measure the width of the fret slot, cut the fret to that length, file the ball-ends, then install the fret. Takes ages but it feels really nice, and its so nice knowing that there's no more work needed on the fret ends once they're in

vansinn · Feb 23, 2015

Interesting concepts, will follow.
I like your extended extra note tech solution; like many, I also have been thinking in such direction, though more for bass.

electriceye · Feb 23, 2015

Nice! I think chambering it would be a great idea anyway. Bet it will be much more resonant. Can't wait to see more!

MikeK · Feb 23, 2015

Great work so far man. That fret work is simply amazing.

DistinguishedPapyrus · Feb 23, 2015

Serratus said:
I do each fret first. So I use a micrometer to measure the width of the fret slot, cut the fret to that length, file the ball-ends, then install the fret. Takes ages but it feels really nice, and its so nice knowing that there's no more work needed on the fret ends once they're in

That's cool man, I could understand the reasoning why you round them over before installing them. I never went further than just beveling the fret ends on necks I've built, too much chance to scratch up the wood after the frets are already in. I think I'm gonna try doing it this way on my next build, I don't think I'd mind if it takes longer, I'd rather it be done right than done quick.

superash · Feb 23, 2015

This build is looking fat (not just because of the neck

).

Keep up the good work!

Serratus · Feb 28, 2015

Got the neck roughly shaped. Needs a bit more work to smooth out all the curves but it's not too far from being done. 21mm at the first fret to 22mm at fret 14.

Serratus · Mar 6, 2015

Weight relief in the one piece wenge back, and the electronics cavity (and wire channel to the pickup) cut.

Got the top glued onto the back, and did just a rough mock up (there's no routing done yet - the neck and bridge are just sat on the top). Obviously none of the body woods are cut down to size yet - you can just see the body outline drawn on the top.

Renkenstein · Mar 6, 2015

Boy, you better play all dem frets nyah!

Awesome! Love that wenge back!

Serratus · Mar 7, 2015

Hah, I will try to play them all!!!lol

I do love the mock up picture - the outline of the top looks like a childs drawing of a guitar!! Looking forward to getting it cut out properly

skeels · Mar 7, 2015

This is looking better all the time! Love those woods!

SilentCartographer · Mar 7, 2015

looking classy! Awesome work thus far, I'm quite the "fan" of this build

shadowlife · Mar 7, 2015

Looking great so far!!!

Serratus · Mar 10, 2015

Got the neck and pickup routs done, the control cavity and cover, and the neck and string holes and ferrules done. All needs cleaning up yet, and then it's on to cutting it out!