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Gibson F5 G: Scoop Fretboard Extension
Related Topics: | Gibson F5 G: Refret | Gibson F5 G: New Nut |
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| 1. A Gibson F5-G. | 2. A Fretboard Extension can really
get in the way of a flat pick, espec- ially if a player likes low action. |
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| 3. Removing the Frets from the
Extension will give me free access to shape the ebony board. I'm scooping this fretboard at the same time as I'm doing a refret. To be clear, scooping the fretboard ext- ension does not necessitate removing all of an instrument's frets. Only the frets that are affixed to the fretboard extension need to be removed. |
4. Establishing the Depth of
the Scoop. I'm chiseling the board down only on the outermost edges of the fretboard extension. This will give me stop lines for removing the inner ebony. |
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| 5. Planing in the Scoop. Now that
I have my stop lines, I'll remove the middle portion of the fretboard extension's surface with a finger plane. After I'm done with this I'll rough sand the extension with 220 grit sandpaper. |
6. Gluing in the Binding. I'm
gluing celluloid perfling strips into the fret slots (which I slightly deep- ened with a finely kerfed saw) for aesthetic reasons. This maintains a semblance of visual continuity when the job is done. Next, I'll trim the perfling flush with the surface of the fretboard. |
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| 7. Polishing the Fretboard with
steel wool and micromesh pads will give these new stainless steel frets and the ebony fretboard a smooth look. |
8. Cleaning and Sealing the fret-
board with naptha (for cleaning) and mineral oil (for sealing) both protect the unfinished ebony and provide a lusterous sheen. |
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| 9. A Scooped Fretboard Ext-
ension gives this mandolin character and fascilitates clean, uninhibited picking. |
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