Fret end bevel

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Fret end bevel

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TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

Fret end bevel

What degree of bevel do you all put on your fret ends?

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Tom Núñez
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 22 2012 23:55:48

Andy Culpepper

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

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

360
(round

)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 23 2012 0:20:38

constructordeguitarras

Posts: 1677
Joined: Jan. 29 2012
From: Seattle, Washington, USA

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I use a 35-degree angle via an older version of this tool from Stew-Mac: http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Shaping_and_crowning/Fret_Beveling_File.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=57235

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 23 2012 3:07:43

Blair Russell

Posts: 51
Joined: Sep. 6 2012
From: Bristol

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I used to do around 40 degrees with a hand file but recently bought that stewmac thing that Ethan uses. It seems expensive but it really does quicken the process to a matter of minutes.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 23 2012 7:36:26

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to Blair Russell)

I know this degree varies from maker to maker. Just wanted to see what you guys use. I use 35 degree as well.

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Tom Núñez
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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2012 0:54:22

Andy Culpepper

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

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I spend a little extra time and a couple of different tools to get the ends rounded, because I don't want those sharp corners sticking out ever. I might get a tiny bit more playing surface too but it's pretty negligible.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2012 16:40:55

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

Save yourself 80.00 bucks and just super glue a file to block of Spanish Cedar. I have two of them that are ten years old, I don't plan on replacing them anytime soon. One reason for that is because I hardly ever need to use them. I just grab a file and do it by eye.

There's a funny article by Frank Ford where he shows how to do frets and he has some jiggy thing made up, but he takes the file and does it by eye.

35 is good, but if you want maximize the amount of playable board, you can go shallower. That is why I don't use the file jig all the time. On refrets or even my guitars I don't always want that much angle. Sometimes a shallower angle means there is a slight bit more board to slide the string around from side to side without danger of going over the fret. On refrets you can't count on the guy before you having set up the board with enough width to allow 35 degrees. You have to give it what it asks for.

Once you make a steady pass or two with the file it sets the path angle. The thing that is difficult about fret ends is getting them snag free and smooth to the fingers.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 24 2012 22:48:31

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to estebanana)

I actually had a homemade one but during our move into the new home it was misplaced and still missing. I'm sure it'll turn up eventually but may need something before it turns up.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 0:40:32

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

quote:

I'm sure it'll turn up eventually but may need something before it turns up.

Gotta 10" flat mill bastard?

( I was not calling you a bastard, just that the cut of the file is bastard grade. Are we smooth on this?)

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 2:14:11

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

ORIGINAL: estebanana

quote:

I'm sure it'll turn up eventually but may need something before it turns up.

Gotta 10" flat mill bastard?

( I was not calling you a bastard, just that the cut of the file is bastard grade. Are we smooth on this?)

reminds me of an old joke. "looks like you need one of these half round bastards"...."no, I think I'll take one of those flat Mothxxfucxxxs over there".

Like Stephen, I've been making the fret bevels by eye for over 40 years with no complaints. I haven't the faintest idea what the angle is.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 14:47:48

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I just run the edge along the disc sander, flat first then tilted
But then I fret before glueing on the board.
The big thing for comfort for me is that I undercut the fret tangs, same as if I were doing a bound board.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 21:36:56

jshelton5040

Posts: 1500
Joined: Jan. 17 2005

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to Jeff Highland)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Jeff Highland

But then I fret before glueing on the board.

I know this is common practice for factory guitars and steel strings but I don't think I've ever glued on a fingerboard that came out absolutely straight with no leveling required. How do you do that?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 22:14:25

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I use a straight caul full length of the board.
It has strips glued along the side that rests on the frets which contact on the outer border of the board,
The board is located onto the neck with plastic pins through first and last frets before fretting

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 22:45:47

estebanana

Posts: 9358
Joined: Oct. 16 2009

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to Jeff Highland)

quote:

I use a straight caul full length of the board.
It has strips glued along the side that rests on the frets which contact on the outer border of the board,
The board is located onto the neck with plastic pins through first and last frets before fretting

You mean training wheels?

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 22:48:00

Jeff Highland

Posts: 401
Joined: Mar. 5 2010
From: Caves Beach Australia

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to TANúñez)

I guess you could calll it that
I don't like things to be glued in the wrong position...

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 22:56:15

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to estebanana)

quote:

( I was not calling you a bastard, just that the cut of the file is bastard grade. Are we smooth on this?)

Yes we are. Although it wouldn't be the first time I've been called a bastard and certainly won't be the last.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 23:03:23

TANúñez

Posts: 2559
Joined: Jul. 10 2003
From: TEXAS

RE: Fret end bevel (in reply to jshelton5040)

quote:

reminds me of an old joke. "looks like you need one of these half round bastards"...."no, I think I'll take one of those flat Mothxxfucxxxs over there".

That was funny.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date Nov. 25 2012 23:04:32