30
30
Step Thirteen-Dressing the Frets
Using a straightedge, check the frets to ensure
one fret is not higher than another and no
“buzzing” will occur.
1)
Using a “bastard mill file”, file the ends
of the frets flush to the side of the
fingerboard.
2)
Using the same file at roughly a 30-40
degree angle, file the ends of the frets
to create a soft relief. When filing, stop
just at a point where the file begins to
hit the side of the fingerboard all the
way up and down the neck.
3)
Using a good straight edge, look for
any high frets where the straight edge may “rock” indicating a high
fret and continue to seat those frets.
Step Fourteen-Shaping the Neck
This aspect of the guitar is the most personal part of the guitar. Everyone has
a different feel and you may prefer to shape the back of the neck differently
than someone else. This is all a personal preference. Without doing anything
more than sanding the existing neck shape, the guitar neck will likely feel
comfortable for many different players.
As a guide, we suggest using a round wood rasp and cutting a groove in the
neck at the first fret to roughly .85” and .92” at the 11
th
fret.
Then, using the same file, connect the two grooves and begin rounding,
shaping and feathering in the neck to a comfortable feel.
The finish thickness at the first fret should be no less than .83” and .90” at
the 11
th
fret.
