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Private member DiscussionCNC

CNC errors

I'm fairly new to CNC and am attempting to set up for a fretboard carve. I'm using a one year old ShopBot Desktop Max. This is the first I've found a problem like this. I made some practice blanks and thought I had everything the way I wanted it until I measured me fret distances. Using calipers from the nut to the center for the first fret slot I get 1.399" and I'm expecting 1.4346. I brought up the file and used the measuring too…

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9 times out of ten these issues aren’t the software it’s the CNC itself or order of operations. Something might be binding on your machine causing one of the 3 axis to be out of whack. Im assuming you…
Private member DiscussionDesign and Testing

Wolf Note?

I have built a steel string guitar that has an annoying high pitched pulsing overtone. The guitar is an x-braced OM style with a thicker depth (more in line with a dreadnaught depth). I have built several of these that do not have the annoying overtone, so I don't think its the specific shape that is causing it. The overtone occurs when the note B2 is played on the G string, 4th fret. Interestingly, it does not occur when the open B stri…

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A bit hard to tell from your description, but is what you are describing as an oscillation a beat frequency? If so, it is possible you have multiples of two resonant frequencies that are nearly colli…
Private member DiscussionSELL! SELL! SELL!

Nut files and fretting tools

Doing some workshop organization and found some tools I don't use. All are in excellent shape with very minimal use. Each item linked to the relevant product page: Japanese nut files. Mine have a bit of surface rust but they were used for maybe 2 guitars. $80 new, selling for $40 StewMac Gauged Nut Slotting File Set for Electric Guitar (for medium strings) and one of each nut file backer. Used on one guitar. $113 new for the files and $19…

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Everything is sold except the fret cutting saw blade!
Private member DiscussionFinish Repair

Tape Residue on Tru-Oil / Epoxy? How to remove, alternative tape?

Hi! This is a new build but suddenly it's also a finish repair. I tested Ken Parker's Epoxy + Tru-Oil approach on the fretboard of this ukulele before committing to the rest of the instrument. It's a single (very thin) coat of West System epoxy (using the clear hardener), then 3 coats (so far) of Tru Oil. It's well-cured, about three months. The bad thing happened yesterday: attempting to dress a fret end, I was using thick double-side…

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Thanks, I’ll give that a look!
Private member DiscussionCAD/CAM

Blender Plugin

About: I have created an Add-On for blender that at the moment generates fret positions and makes a fretboard according to several parameters. This makes it extremely easy to get started with modeling a Guitar in blender. If you are interested it please give it a whirl and let me know what you think about it and if you like it, what you don't, what you would like to see etc... If you do like it and would like aid its development please d…

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There are several free "add-ons" that allows cam functionality in blender. The one that immediately comes to mind is blender-cam. But for me personally since I use a laser getting it to an svg file is…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

70s PBass refret

I have a 70s PBass with a maple “A” neck that could use a refret. It still seems to have the original frets. I tried a level and crown on the already low frets, but I think it needs refret. The frets in the money area are pretty low, .030-.025 and I’m concerned about removing them sideways, as I’ve never had a chance to do that. I understand from the fretorama with Joel Wilkins that when they are this low it increases the difficulty of…

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I've noticed they don't always come out easiest in the same direction either. I can't imagine why, but it seems some were driven in from the treble side and some from the bass side. So if you're havin…
Private member DiscussionGeneral

Fretwork Processes...

Hey everyone, I could use some advice as far as the fretting process is concerned. I’ve been doing guitar repair since around 2008, I opened my business doing guitar repair in September of 2021, and I’ve always felt that fretwork has been the most challenging part of this job. I’m getting to the point now where I finally feel like I’m getting the hang of it, but I’m not where I want to be yet. I should mention that I use the Erlewine…

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Hi David, I'll throw my two cents in here. Rather than go through my thoughts on the entire fret level and crowning process, I'll toss some of my observations in. Firstly, if you haven't watched it, I…
Private member DiscussionElectric Repair

Insufficient Downpressure on hofner violin bass bridge?

Hey y'all, just been tasked with setting up one of those hoffner violin basses — they're strange but fun things, this is one of the modern reissues but it still has the bridge with the frets hammered into it for saddles. The owner plays in a punk band and has had issues with the low E string jumping out at times. I assume without some way of getting the tailpiece to be held down rather than at the angle it wants to be, the best option w…

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Thank you! Feels like the best way to go about it with the least change to the instrument, but still wanted confirmation from someone more familiar before going and doing anything permanent. Failing t…