damonp Posted December 1, 2015 Report Share Posted December 1, 2015 Hi, I am currently building a neck to replace a destroyed neck on my Gretsch G5265 Jet Baritone... I settled on a laminate: Black Limba with walnut down the middle My question is, can I get away without a fretboard? I love the look of it (in my head) and prefer to go without but Im concerned the Black Limba is too soft and wont hold up over time. Thoughts? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Norris Posted December 2, 2015 Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 (edited) How are you planning to fit the truss rod? Edit: I ask this, as the fretboard would usually cover the truss rod, unless it is fitted from the rear - Strat-style with a skunk stripe Edited December 2, 2015 by Norris Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonp Posted December 2, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 2, 2015 I cut 1/4" off the top of the middle laminate piece and will lay that down after installation. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I've not tried fretting into Limba/Korina, however I think Walnut is a little soft. If they are both on the softer side of the spectrum then might well run into issues. Generally you'd want to use woods that have good fret tang retention. If you're 100% dead set on that combination, there are ways around it but they're kind of like attempting to solve an issue that shouldn't be caused in the first place if you get my meaning. Firstly, the fret slots may benefit from being cut slightly undersize to increase compression within the slot. This could easily cause other problems, such as inducing a backbow into the neck. The frets can be pressed and glued in place with epoxy or CA, but this can soon become messy business with any spillage or runout. How are you thinking of finishing the headstock? If yours looks like that heavy sparkle finish, I would be tempted to consider something to tie both parts up thematically. Keep us in the loop! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonp Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Does this answer your question? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I think it does! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonp Posted December 3, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Given the concerns you expressed Im thinking about going with Bocote for the fretboard... Thoughts? Suggestions on supplier? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 I'm not US-side so I'd maybe defer to @KnightroExpress or @killemall8 on that one. They seem to be scoring nice exotics. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Bocote is a good choice. I'd love some myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted December 3, 2015 Report Share Posted December 3, 2015 Bocote is an excellent choice. Cook Woods is a place I've had recommended several times. https://cookwoods.com/ SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Cook Woods, Gilmer Woods, sometimes even a local Woodcraft or eBay can be good sources. Where are you located? You might have a cool lumberyard somewhere near you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
damonp Posted December 4, 2015 Author Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Im in MI... Shipping kills it with those places, I'll probably hit Rockler and Woodcraft and see what I can find. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KnightroExpress Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Woodcraft usually has a nice little bin of small exotics, a fair amount of which happens to make perfect fretboard blanks. I know I saw some bocote at my local WC last time I was there. Good luck on your search! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 Yeah, woodcraft, when they were here, used to have good exotics. I get my bocote locally, so i am not much help there. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 I guess this would be the wrong place to suggest that you sell me a couple of those spectacular veneers of yours right, Luis? haha Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted December 4, 2015 Report Share Posted December 4, 2015 My first fretboard ever was a piece of bocote I got at WoodCraft. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
killemall8 Posted December 6, 2015 Report Share Posted December 6, 2015 On 12/4/2015, 1:51:18, Prostheta said: I guess this would be the wrong place to suggest that you sell me a couple of those spectacular veneers of yours right, Luis? haha Nah, i would sell some of it if anybody wanted some! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted December 10, 2015 Report Share Posted December 10, 2015 I think we've derailed this from @damonp topic enough already.... Keep us in touch with how the restoration is going! I hope you snag some nice Bocote or whatever catches your eye more.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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