Changing Strat fingerboard radius / Fender Compensated Nut @StringTech

[@danialm8122]

The best video changing fingerboard radius on KZbin.

[@fran06585]

This video it's exactly what I was looking for 👍👍👍

[@GoudVis56667]

Im doing this at the moment with an ebony fretboard, from 9 to 16. It took me 2 hours with my 80Grit radius block to give up and look for a better way. I saw you using a straight beam and that made quick work of it. 2 hours wasted, but a lesson learned! Thanks alot for the video.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

The sanding blocks that I send out in the fretting kits, have a thin layer of leather on the jointed hardwood surface. This allows just enough "flex" to allow the sandpaper to follow the fingerboard radius. I generally accomplish the fingerboard levelling and radius in about 4 minutes.

[@SociopatheAssume]

Wow, that is quite a radical change ! But I get it, flatter radii are definitely better when it comes to low action and bends : did you have any problems with the inlays on the fretboard ? I'm really thinking about re radiusing an Ibanez JS, from 9.5 to 12 ' and was wondering about the dot inlays ?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

The inlays are plenty deep .. no issue.

[@GoudVis56667]

@@SociopatheAssume Even my inlays are still intact. Go for it!

[@angrytroll27]

May have just gotten some pointers. Im going to be learning about fretwork this weekend on a guitar im having built

[@StringTechWorkstations]

There is definitely some food for thought, when it comes to choosing a radius or compound radius for the fingerboard, and the cross-sectional profile of the fret wire. Best regards with your new guitar !

[@angrytroll27]

Thanks its got a 12 inch radius n getting XJ fret wire

[@StringTechWorkstations]

What is the crown height and width on your xj wire ? Is that extra large Jackson wire ? Just curious .... MMcC

[@angrytroll27]

Crown is .053" and width .110" according to stewmac. I think its the same stuff used by jackson and ESP

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Sounds about right.Depending on who's fret wire you are using ... Dunlop / Jescar etc... I've seen it go up to .058" x .118"

[@fran06585]

This is the video I was looking for!! ,,,👏👏👏

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Glad it was helpful ! Merry Christmas Francisco ! MMcC

[@JimmyKay1976]

Can this be done with a simple fret leveling?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

I know where you are going with this ... good point. #1: You would need to have a very big fret crown to accomplish that. #2 Those upper frets would be chewed right down to nothing. Better to shape the board and start fresh with full size fret crowns.

[@JimmyKay1976]

@@StringTechWorkstations Thanks for getting back to me. Looks like I'll have to purchase a new neck. What you do is well above my skills

[@JimmyKay1976]

@@StringTechWorkstations Do you sell the tools needed to do it property?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Honestly ... this is what people will often do ... especially with all of the kit guitars available now. The price of a re-fret and fingerboard radius-change .... will end up running you around the same cost as a replacement neck. Good Luck.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

We do sell a variety of tools / workstations / accessories. I would need to get an idea of what you have at the moment re: tools, before advising you.

[@peterschaefer1665]

How are you able to sand the center without damaging the mother of pearl fret markers?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Good question Peter. In most cases, the pearl is plenty thick enough to handle the small amount of sanding needed. This is more of a concern on fingerboards with fancy inlay. The outside edges are barely touched when executing this job. I’ve never run into an issue with simple dot inlay. Thanks for asking. MMcC

[@bobbyshepherd6039]

What grit sand paper are you using to level the fretboard??

[@StringTechWorkstations]

80 / 120 / 180 /..... finish up with 220 / 320 ;^ ) .... MMcC

[@SuperLandslide]

Do you feel hammering the frets in has any advantages over pressing them in? You're work is impeccable! Most guys I've seen at your level of mastery are pressing them. Just curious if there is a reason you still hammer. Thanks!

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Thanks for asking Jimi. Both methods work, when done properly. MMcC

[@sethorea5117]

Where’s your shop to take my guitar?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Hey Seth, I'm in Stratford Ontario Canada. I am booking early December at the moment. Any " shipped " guitars will be booked for after Christmas. Cheers ! MMcC

[@sethorea5117]

@@StringTechWorkstations sounds good do you have email or something that I can get in touch with you to give you more details ?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

[e-mail]

[@hexaldecima6839]

Sorry to ask a silly question, but is it possible to change the radius of the Frets instead of the board? For context: I have a 12 radius fretboard, but I want to try out and see if a 14 or even a 17 conversion will work out.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Not a silly question. If you have enough Crown height ... you can "cheat " a flatter radius ( especially a compound radius ) into the crowns of the frets. But it is always best to correct the fingerboard THEN install the new frets.

[@murisan3589]

So, is it possible to go the other way round, i.e. turning a 20 inch radius in a 12 inch one? Can I do it myself? Would it destry my inlays (the dots) on my fretboard?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

I cannot speak to your own experience ... as far as " being able " . If you are changing from a 20" - 12" then the inlays in the centre of the fingerboard would barely be touched. It would be the inlays near the outside of the fingerboard that would be reduced ( at the 12th fret in many guitars ). Hope that helps to clarify. MMcC

[@murisan3589]

@@StringTechWorkstations Thank you for your quick reply. Indeed, I formulated the question wrongly. If I will proceed, I will most probably look for a luthier in my area. It's a Kiesel and the dots are on both sides, not in the middle, like this fr.audiofanzine.com/autre-guitare-electrique-solid-b/kiesel/z6/ I guess they will suffer more. Would the guitar need a refretting job? Is it a difficult/expensive job?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

If they are just dots ...that is not so bad. They can be easily replaced if necessary.

[@BubbaZanetti_375]

6 years late but, do you do work on customer guitars? I want my Fender Pro2 to be 12" across the board.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Are you shipping or commuting ? I am booking into September at the moment.

[@BubbaZanetti_375]

@@StringTechWorkstations I would be shipping. I'm in TX

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Let me check with my Patreon guys. I may have someone closer to you that can do this. Send me an email: [e-mail]

[@BubbaZanetti_375]

@@StringTechWorkstations sent! 👍🏼

[@ronmorey3475]

Hi Michael, thank you for the demonstration on figuring out how wide the fret tang should be compared to the slot width. I know that you said that .0065 on each side of the tang was good for this job, What’s the maximum amount on each side you would allow before you would run into back bow? Cheers

[@StringTechWorkstations]

That's a very good question Ron. I have developed an intuitive sense over the last 1/2 century. I just know when the fret is too tight. In those cases; I will either switch to another fret wire .... or ... crush the bead slightly ... for a better fit. Cheers ! MMcC

[@ronmorey3475]

@@StringTechWorkstations Thank you!

[@leoarjuncrasto]

The perfect video I was looking for. Can I change my Stratocaster radius from 9.5-14inch compound to a 16 inch fixed radius? Would there be enough wood on the fingerboard for such a drastic change? I have a rosewood fingerboard just like you have in your video.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Shouldn't be an issue Leo.

[@leoarjuncrasto]

@@StringTechWorkstations thanks sir❤️

[@hcullen12]

I'm trying to determine if sanding my fretboard is necessary on one of my guitars. Did you measure the fretboard with gauges before taking the frets off, or did this guitar need new frets anyway? I'm inexperienced with any fret/fretboard work, so any tips would be greatly appreciated. Thanks for making these videos!

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Yes and yes. It might be a bit of a tall order to start with a complete refret. I don't want to discourage you from trying ..... might be best to practice on a cheaper guitar. If you cycle back through the last few years on my channel you'll find 100's of hours of detailed video to get you started. Good Luck ! MMcC

[@petecollins5401]

Hi, I have a 7.5 inch radius on my strat . Is there a way of setting it up so as I can bend a string past the 12 fret? Or should I try to get a flatter radius as in this video? Thanks.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

A flatter radius will help. Depending on the year / vintage of the Strat; and whether it is a rosewood fingerboard. The early ( 50's / 60's ) Strats had extremely thin rosewood fingerboards. The next video coming up is a refret on a rosewood Strat ... stay tuned ... this will address your questions. MMcC

[@petecollins5401]

@@StringTechWorkstations thanks very much!

[@precbsfender]

I think you mean 7.25 radius, Fender didn't make a 7.5 radius..

[@61854425]

while filer is it again??? i really need that kind. BTW your work is truly a masterpiece..

[@StringTechWorkstations]

6" single cut fine mill file mounted on a jointed hardwood block.

[@davekiddie4467]

where do you buy those saws? or can I order one from Stew Mac, Thanks! love your videos!

[@StringTechWorkstations]

The Japanese saws I buy at the local surplus store.

[@tombrackettjr.9308]

I just got one at Harbor Freight. It wasn't much. I think right around $10 US

[@pablete777]

Is the opposite possible? To decrease the radius, say from 14" to 12"?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Absolutely.

[@j.watson1644]

Why do this in the 1st place ? Just asking ..

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Good question. I currently have 2 Strats that are getting this treatment. I will answer this question .... very clearly in this upcoming video.

[@alxesh4088]

Could I make a 12 inch SRV neck to 7.25?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Short answer ... No. Why? ... because if you switch from 12" to 7.25" ... all of the " meat" would come off of the outside edges of the fingerboard ...... with a lot of these fingerboards being extremely thin to begin with .... there would not be enough " real estate " to create that steeper radius. If you wish to go that route; then swapping out the neck with a neck that has a 7.25" radius would be the way to go. MMcC

[@caniswolf3394]

I'm working on a "strat style" neck with a 7.25" radius and am wanting to change it to a 9.5". Do you have any tips on doing it?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

This is another instance where I prefer to use the narrow sanding blocks, to bring down the centre of the higher radius as I blend to the outside edges.

[@tiago5a]

Can I do the same for a maple neck? It's a 9.5'', I want to change to 12''. Will it work? Thanks

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Absolutely, have recently finished up 3 more Maple necks.Cycle back a view videos ... you'll find them. MMcC

[@amar93chaniago]

what grit do u use on the sandpaper for levelling fingerboard?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

80 / 120 / 180

[@0v3nm4n]

What was that ball in socket vise?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

I LOVE that little knuckle vice ! The best $20.00 I ever spent. I use this primarily for holding nuts as I cut the slots.

[@Worldwideguy96]

Looks great! So when doing this, it's not necessary to removing the dot inlays ? My strat neck is a 7.25 radius and i wanna sand it to 12 possibly.

[@StringTechWorkstations]

Hey Zach, I've never needed to remove the dots. Note: Remember to make sure you put a little load ( a third of a turn ) on the truss rod BEFORE you true up the neck along the string path end -to- end. Good luck ... have fun; check across the radius AND along the length as you go ;^ ). \m/ ! MMcC

[@StringTechWorkstations]

One more thing: It is actually more natural for the hands to create a conical ( compound radius ) as opposed to a straight 12" end to end. So you could go from 9 1/2" - 12" ... just a suggestion. The 1" sanding blocks that you see me use in the videos; will very quickly create this for you. Best ... MMcC

[@Worldwideguy96]

Hmm interesting. Would you be able to do this work on my neck if I ship it to you?

[@davekiddie4467]

I guess those little blocks you make yourself?

[@StringTechWorkstations]

I make up these Fretting Kits. kzbin.info/www/bejne/bIKzpJ6cfNFohrc a few at a time for my students ... (6) straight edges / (5) sanding blocks / (6) Fret guard pads / (1) 6" Mill file mounted on a hardwood block / (1) scrub block