Official Luthiers Forum!

Im getting ready to finish my first build (im currently at college so I'll post all od the up-to-date preogress pics when Im back at home for christmas) and Im not sure when exactly I should install frets. My current game plan in to wait until after I finish. Im planning to tape off the top of the fretboard (and not the sides), spa\ray all my finish, re-cut the slots to remove any finish that has seeped into them, put in my frets, dress them, make'em look all pretty and what not, then wet sand/polish the finish. Does this sound good to you guys? What do you normally do? (by the way, im not using binding on the neck, you will be able to see fret ends on the side of the fretboard)

I usually fret it first, and string it up to check for any problems before finishing.

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Do you ever have problems with finish creeping onto the fretboard? and if so, can you just remove it by scraping with a razor or something of the like?

Why aren't you taping the sides of the fretboard?

I assumed that the sides were to be finished; but now that you mention it, taping off the sides would make my life a hell of alot easier! Ill probably end up doing that but Im still open to suggestions for if I finish the sides just because Im not 100% sure what Ill do yet

Some boards don't need to be finished. I leave rosewood bare and just rub a little oil on.

If you tape the sides of the fingerboard, it will leave a ledge when you pull the tape.
I always taped off the top of the board, and cleaned it up afterwards with judicious application of a scraper and thinner.

Good luck!

_________________
"Act your age, not your shoe size" - Prince

Its too late for a regular bound fretboard or a faux bound, but im considering putting some saw dust in the sides of the fret slots and dripping some thin super glue on it (and then obviously sanding the sides flush). Does this sound plausible? Its an ebony fretboard by the way

If you fret after finishing, you can touch up the fret ends afterwards. That's what DeTemple does. Its a little more work but looks really good.

I fret then finish. It's an easy thing to clean up the edges and if you tape correctly there's no seepage. Use the green tape that chemically seals itself when the laquer hits.

_________________
Old growth, shmold growth!