This is the best 'simple' way to do it. I wish I had that large of a belt sander. For now I am using a router jig to rough out the radius then going at it by hand with a radius sanding block. Not too bad, but this method here is a lot gentler on the fretboard, whereas the router jig has a decent possibility of chipping the fretboard.
So how would accomplish a compound radius? It appears that it would involve adjusting the beam to the large radius on one end and the small radius on the other. Then you would have to set the pivot rail to the same angle. Those pillow blocks move up and down? Thanks. Neat idea.
I was watching a former senior master builder from the Fender custom shop radius my new 5 string with a compound radius. He did it by hand with NO jig whatsoever on a giant belt sander. When done I was very upset since I could NOT believe it could be correctly done that way. Try as I did, I could not find ANY place it was out of spec. It was perfect and all by hand. Best playing bass I ever owned. Now THAT is a true guitar maker.
ive built just a smidge under 200 guitars in 5 years while in a full time job if some custom shop guy did any work for me he could look like he was botching it all he liked while blindfolded and drunk id still trust the guy, theres a reason they can charge £2000-£3000 for a pimped up £800 guitar!
Just how Leo Fender and his crew did it in the beginning :) I'm jealous of your belt sander... I have a similar jig made out of MDF that I use on my router table, set up to do four different radii.
@acemcgirk ernie ball does it pretty much the same as this.. serch for Building The Ernie Ball Music Man JPX with John Petrucci and you'll see what i mean
@marcomisplaced since this is a simple radius (same radius at every point on the fingerboard, there really is no math -- just set the radius and you're done).
A properly built guitar/bass will have a compound radius IF the span of the strings at the nut is different than the span of the strings at the bridge. There is no debating this since it's math. For a very clear explanation of this, follow this link:
A lot of builders will rough the shape with a simple radius, then finish the rest by old fashioned hand sanding with a radius block, taking measurements along the way and even perhaps running a flat edge along the lines that each string will be. If not, then you may have a decent neck, but you will never truly have the ability to get super low action as compared to a neck done with a compound radius.
I understand that the feasible range is unique, how it varies?
Mi sembra di capire che il raggio realizzabile è unico, come si varia??
dinamite67 5 months ago
This is the best 'simple' way to do it. I wish I had that large of a belt sander. For now I am using a router jig to rough out the radius then going at it by hand with a radius sanding block. Not too bad, but this method here is a lot gentler on the fretboard, whereas the router jig has a decent possibility of chipping the fretboard.
orlandofriend 5 months ago
So how would accomplish a compound radius? It appears that it would involve adjusting the beam to the large radius on one end and the small radius on the other. Then you would have to set the pivot rail to the same angle. Those pillow blocks move up and down? Thanks. Neat idea.
Beemerboy324 1 year ago
I was watching a former senior master builder from the Fender custom shop radius my new 5 string with a compound radius. He did it by hand with NO jig whatsoever on a giant belt sander. When done I was very upset since I could NOT believe it could be correctly done that way. Try as I did, I could not find ANY place it was out of spec. It was perfect and all by hand. Best playing bass I ever owned. Now THAT is a true guitar maker.
bohs1984 1 year ago
ive built just a smidge under 200 guitars in 5 years while in a full time job if some custom shop guy did any work for me he could look like he was botching it all he liked while blindfolded and drunk id still trust the guy, theres a reason they can charge £2000-£3000 for a pimped up £800 guitar!
getupstairstobed 1 year ago
Just how Leo Fender and his crew did it in the beginning :) I'm jealous of your belt sander... I have a similar jig made out of MDF that I use on my router table, set up to do four different radii.
jetglo330 1 year ago
That is almost exactly how Warmoth Guitars did there radiusing in the 80's.....
acemcgirk 2 years ago
How do they do it now? I thought they were still using a similer method.
thebrassnut 2 years ago
Still similar, but they use a compound radius setup..smaller raduis on one end
acemcgirk 2 years ago
@acemcgirk ernie ball does it pretty much the same as this.. serch for Building The Ernie Ball Music Man JPX with John Petrucci and you'll see what i mean
MusicToMyEars36 10 months ago
So over the top.......
jiefuster 2 years ago
I would like to see that in action .
jargenlink 2 years ago 2
THIS is what happens when you get an Engineer involved w your project!! a bit Over engineered, ya think?
DmakAttack 3 years ago
how does the math work out per radius? is there a distance equation?
marcomisplaced 3 years ago
No math involved :) Just measure the distance from the centre of the axel to the face of the fretboard holder. This gives you, your radius.
thebrassnut 3 years ago
So if you wanted a radius of 9.5 you'd set it 9.5"' away from the surface of the holder?
Danklin24 2 years ago
Yeah thats right, 9.5" from the belt surface to the center of the axel/shaft at the top.
thebrassnut 2 years ago
@marcomisplaced Distance equation???? Yeah. Here's the equation. 7¼" = 7¼"
Let me know if you have in questions.
Hoopermazing 7 months ago
@Hoopermazing ...any...
Hoopermazing 7 months ago
@marcomisplaced since this is a simple radius (same radius at every point on the fingerboard, there really is no math -- just set the radius and you're done).
A properly built guitar/bass will have a compound radius IF the span of the strings at the nut is different than the span of the strings at the bridge. There is no debating this since it's math. For a very clear explanation of this, follow this link:
stewmac.com/freeinfo/Neck_relief_building_and_repair/a-compoundradius.html
orlandofriend 5 months ago
A lot of builders will rough the shape with a simple radius, then finish the rest by old fashioned hand sanding with a radius block, taking measurements along the way and even perhaps running a flat edge along the lines that each string will be. If not, then you may have a decent neck, but you will never truly have the ability to get super low action as compared to a neck done with a compound radius.
orlandofriend 5 months ago
@marcomisplaced Don't you know what a circle is?
Hoopermazing 2 months ago
muy buena idea que buena maquina y lo lijando con un taco ja ja ja
29971189 3 years ago
awesome
guitarheo3 3 years ago
great jig. diy tools are much better.
betacrash 3 years ago