string/fretboard alignment

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etta

Posts: 342
Joined: Jan. 20 2010

string/fretboard alignment

There seems to be a considerable difference in the way strings are aligned from the nut along the fretboard from one maker to the next. Some guitars have a greater space between bass E and the edge of the fretboard than between treble E and the edge. Others are just reversed, and some split the differences evenly. My preference is for a little more space from the treble E to the edge. What are the advantages of each nut/string/fretboard alignment arrangement?

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 30 2015 12:20:36

ngiorgio

Posts: 168
Joined: Nov. 1 2005
From: Florida, USA

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

I also like to have more space on the high e. On factory made instruments they are probably done with equal spacing on both sides. I would think it would be more prevalent in luthier made guitars to get that extra little bit of space on the high e as most luthiers would know that it is more comfortable for the player. Maybe for aesthetics, so it looks evenly spaced at the nut, is why it isn't done on most guitars.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 30 2015 15:38:26

Andy Culpepper

Posts: 3023
Joined: Mar. 30 2009
From: NY, USA

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

Nothing worse than putting your heart and soul into a beautiful melodic line... put a little too much bend on a note on the high e string and ZANG it goes off the edge of the fretboard. That's why I put a little more space on the treble side. Doesn't seem to happen as much on the low E.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 30 2015 18:36:06

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

quote:

There seems to be a considerable difference in the way strings are aligned from the nut along the fretboard from one maker to the next.

Not all necks and/or fretboards and/or bridges are glued completely correct.

It is in general considered to be good practice to give the trebleside a mm or so more than the bass side. More important at the nut than at the 12th fret because most fingerboards widen.
But in reality, if its wide enough, then its good enough and you´ll always find a player that is capable of "falling off" a fret just like its always possible to fing players capable of making guitars buzz a lot.
Its difficult to build guitars for players with bad technique. and if they are cerebral and picky with milimeters, angles and stuff but do not care about their own technique, then you end up wishing you hadn´t made a guitar for them.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 31 2015 7:51:03

estebanana

Posts: 9354
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to Anders Eliasson)

quote:

Its difficult to build guitars for players with bad technique. and if they are cerebral and picky with milimeters, angles and stuff but do not care about their own technique, then you end up wishing you hadn´t made a guitar for them.

Oh it sounds like you've been there before. HAHAH

Some players can push the bass E over the edge too.
I usually allow extra space on the treble side of the fingerboard especially for flamenco so a forceful ligado does not drip off the edge.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 31 2015 8:30:48

etta

Posts: 342
Joined: Jan. 20 2010

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

Good info from all; thanks. Anders may have the most common scenario,"Not all necks and/or fretboards and/or bridges are glued completely correct."

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 31 2015 12:00:19

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

It's also important to consider where the fret end starts to roll off.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 31 2015 13:30:29

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

Oh it sounds like you've been there before. HAHAH

Of course, but not to many times.
I can remember when i worked in a shop that there was a guy buying a decent factory guitar and he kept comming back showing us that it buzzed. The shopowner gave him another identical one, but it buzzed as well, then he dressed the frets but it kept on buzzing and the guy was angry and saying all kinds of stupidities. then the owner asked him to come back next day, made 2 good players and me come and play the guitar, which didnt buzz in our hands. Then the guy left angry saying we were cheaters and that he would tell the whole world not to buy guitars there.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 31 2015 17:42:34

Ricardo

Posts: 14825
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: string/fretboard alignment (in reply to etta)

Also, depending on how you put on the capo, the strings can move a bit. I have friends that put the capo on exact opposite as myself (strap or string over top such that before you clamp or tighten, gravity is holidng it on the neck) and in a fast situation the strings migh pull down toward the treble E just a hair. But even for non capo guitar I tend to agree... I prefer more room on treble E side Every guitar I own I push the nut just a hair off center toward the bass side.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Jun. 1 2015 15:16:06