"Rolling" Neck Edges ???

[PeteMac]

I know what it is, but how is it done "properly"?

I'm about to hit the edges of my new rosewood with some 600 grit wet & dry and polish off with some 1200, but was just wondering if there was another way, like actually rolling the edge with a dowell or some such thing.

Just wondering.

[eryque]

Originally Posted by PeteMac

I know what it is, but how is it done "properly"?

I'm about to hit the edges of my new rosewood with some 600 grit wet & dry and polish off with some 1200, but was just wondering if there was another way, like actually rolling the edge with a dowell or some such thing.

Just wondering.

There isn't a "proper" way, just ways that work.

I used some 320 grit paper to do mine. Others have had good luck using a razor blade as a scraper or using something like the round shaft of a screwdriver to burnish like you suggested.

The burnishing method is the only one that has a chance of working in a way that won't make you touch up the finish, but I think you'll still need to anyway. I have a new (to me) Baja that I'd like to roll the edges, but have held off because of the finish issue.

[bad porcupine]

I rolled my '72 Deluxe neck with the shaft of a screwdriver (take your time, be patient!) Worked great! If you go slow you can compress the wood with minimal effect on the finish.

Edit: I just re-read your post and see that you have a rosewood fretboard. Mine was maple, so maybe it's different for rosewood. I would think it would be easier, since there's not a finish on it.

[eryque]

Rosewood boards usually have finish on the edges, but it's good to know that the burnishing method can be done without damaging the finish. That might be my project for this week.

[PeteMac]

Thanks guys.

Mine is an unfinished neck for a partscaster I'm putting together, so the finish isn't an issue.
I'll give the screwdriver a whirl and see how it goes. As soon as the body arrives I'll start getting it together, and of course start posting some pics !

Thanks again.

[woodman]

Rich Rice once told me *never* sand the frets -- just use the screwdriver method, or you'll open a can of worms. he's been around the block enough that i listened to him, with good results.

[PeteMac]

Thanks Woodman.

Geez, I just noticed the time where you guys are ... don't you ever sleep !!!

[eryque]

Originally Posted by woodman

Rich Rice once told me *never* sand the frets -- just use the screwdriver method, or you'll open a can of worms. he's been around the block enough that i listened to him, with good results.

Frets, or fretboard? And did he say why?

[jwells393]

Yeah ........ I'd like to know about that can of worms too. I think on a rolled edge neck the edges are rounded before the frets are installed. However I don't see why you couldn't use a sanding block on a fretted neck and round the edges and frets then go back and touch up the fret ends with a file.

[eryque]

Originally Posted by jwells393

Yeah ........ I'd like to know about that can of worms too. I think on a rolled edge neck the edges are rounded before the frets are installed. However I don't see why you couldn't use a sanding block on a fretted neck and round the edges and frets then go back and touch up the fret ends with a file.

If the edges are rolled before the frets are installed, how could you install frets that go to the edge of the fretboard? I think you have to do the rolling after the frets are installed.

[jwells393]

Looks like you're right. I just read that Musikraft does it after the neck is fretted. So ......... it sounds like my idea of running a sanding block down the edge sanding both neck and frets is how it's done.

Originally Posted by Old Musikraft website

This process is done AFTER the neck has been fretted. The reason we do this is because if done prior to fretting, the fret ends would have a gap underneath them where the fingerboard was rolled.

We also offer Heavily rolled fingerboard edges. This is a more extreme version of the Semi rolled edges and is a lot more rounded and thus gives the neck a more "broken-in" feel to it. Upcharges apply for heavy rolled edges. These options appear on the bottom of each neck order form. An example of a heavily rolled board is shown below.

......

[JasonRobert]

sorry to jump in, but could someone explain to me what a rolled edge neck is?

[jwells393]

Rather than a sharp corner where the face of the fretboard meets the side of the neck, you have a slight radius.

......

[lclyman]

I used the screwdriver method mentioned above on my Musikraft rosewood neck..

Worked great...!!

[eryque]

Thanks for posting those pictures. I see one big difference between the way some folks do it and the way I do it. The way I roll the edges is to simulate the sort of wear that would come from playing. Since you don't wear away the ends of the frets when you play it, I sand between the frets. The edge of the fretboard gets kind of a scalloped look, and you don't lose any of the playing surface on the frets.

[Ristguitars]

I am of the razorblade, file, sandpaper and buff school.

If you take your time and go through the various grits of sandpaper, then buff it, it looks like 30 years of real player wear. Feels great also.

Roman

[thaus]

Someone please explain the screwdriver method?? I thought you need a special file to roll the edges?

[jwells393]

You take a screwdriver with a round shank .......... like a phillips. You press the round shank hard against the sharp corner running it back and forth between the frets compressing the wood and leaving a rounded corner. Works well on a rosewood fretboard. Not sure how well it works on a finished maple board.

[mellecaster]

Originally Posted by jwells393

You take a screwdriver with a round shank .......... like a phillips. You press the round shank hard against the sharp corner running it back and forth between the frets compressing the wood and leaving a rounded corner. Works well on a rosewood fretboard. Not sure how well it works on a finished maple board.

Just like Jack says above....on Maple finished boards it's kinda a Crap shoot ?...some of the pale satin finished Necks (MIM stds.) you can sneak by with, but w/ the ambered Classic series it will usually chip the finish..When I do one on a Relic Build of course, ya don't have to worry too much about it......

[dennyman]

I read that the Fender Custom Shop uses "rope" to round/roll fingerboard edges.

[jaydawg]

Originally Posted by dennyman

I read that the Fender Custom Shop uses "rope" to round/roll fingerboard edges.

Any idea how that would work?

[Ristguitars]

I must say I am pleasantly surprised. An old dog has learned new tricks!!

I tried the screwdriver trick on a fingerboard I am doing. Braz with quilted maple binding. It worked like a charm!

[andrewb]

iv done it on a few rosewood fretboards...
rosewood is like butter.... theres nothing to it...
a few goes with a half rounded file.... then play the guitar for a few days... repeat the filing and play it again....
turns out great...

as for maple...
iv never done it to a maple neck...

but i have an ibanez i have played almost everyday for 4 or 5 years lol....
that things maple neck is black along the edges... natural roll
nothing compares :)

[hamish5178]

Originally Posted by jaydawg

Any idea how that would work?

This sounds like a good idea, if you used some sort of stiff shoelace and pulled it very taught across the edge of the board, you could just slide it back and forth. This would certainly make it easier to create a smooth edge than a screwdriver.

I've used the screwdriver method on my SG months ago, worked pretty well. I only chipped the lacquer in one place and it is very very tiny (however this was all on finished binding, not actual wood).