rolling fretboard edges

I was asked to show how i rolled my fretboard edges.

In this video i am using a stanley knife blade as a scraper. I actually prefer to use a razor but this does the job fine too.

you will notice i am only going in one direction all the way from fret to fret with each stroke, this give a more consistent roundover. if i did it backwards and forwards i would end up with a more scalloped roundover which is more suitable for relics as it is closer to the look of natural wear.




this works well on ebony, maple and rosewood but on more grainy woods like wenge i would sand the roundover in

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[TeleCustom72]

hi Wez, HTH here from the BKP forum - is this ok to do with a rosewood board? also, is there any further 'finishing' required after smoothing the edges with the razor-blade? (thinking that the newly scraped edges may look weird against the older and more played-in board on my Tele.

[wezv]

@TeleCustom72 it works well on rosewood boards as you can blend the finish edge in as you go.

each piece of wood varies, as does each persons technique - so i wont promise it doesnt need any more work afterwards. if you find the scraped edges are duller then give it a little polish with some fine wire wool

[bedofrazorsqwerty]

Hey Wez, it's JacksonRR from the BKP boards. Is this safe to do to a guitar with Ebony binding?

[wezv]

@bedofrazorsqwerty works great on ebony - just make sure your blade is new and sharp. I wouldnt use it on a wood like wenge as the strong grain patterns can cause issues with controlling the rollover

[wezv]

I should say, some factories do soften the edges these days - fender do on some guitars, and this is pretty much the way they do it!

[wezv]

That is a good technique for lacquered maple necks IF used with care. On some guitars you will damage the finish by rolling a screwdriver over it whcih is why care is needed.

This is an unfinished maple neck, i rolled over before finish was applied. This technique also works well on any guitar that does not have finish on the fretboard as the rolled edge can be blended into the finish on the side of the neck... much comfier than a hard line of finish that a lot leave the factory with.

[TeleCustom72]

@wezv Nice one Wez, I'll give that a go.

[ajax24u]

you should have just roled a screwdriver sideways over them so you dint remove finish. a blunt roller pinning back and forth will compresss it and it will be nice and smooth.

[wezv]

@SwaggaBoy666 when necks come from the factory they have sharp edge so roling can make guitars more comfy to play - some describe it as a 'played in' feel.

search google for "rolled fretboard edges" if you want more examples

[SwaggaBoy666]

What was the point of that?