Fret slot cutting jig

TTony

This might be of use/interest to those of you who slot your own fretboards.

Last time I looked, the StewMac jig had become  even more expensive (in $ as well as £ terms), but we've now got a UK-based option.



That's the jig.  The white blocks you see are height and width adjustable, so different saws can be used, and the depth of the slot cut can be controlled.  The clever bit

Here are the templates ...


Each template (which you can buy separately) contains 6 separate scale lengths.  The various templates cover most standard electric, acoustic and bass scale lengths, and a couple of mixed options too.

The jig has a locator pin which can fit into 6 separate positions in the base, and that pin then fits into the holes in the  template.  Simple, yet brilliant.

Yes, its made out of ply rather than steel.  But I've test driven a prototype and it showed no real signs of wear after slotting about 6 fretboards.  I also found it more accurate than my (old) version of the StewMac jig.  The locator pin is more secure and holds the template in position more accurately.

There's a video review (not by me) here;


You can buy them (exclusively) here;
https://guitarmaking.co.uk/shop/page/2/

Cheesyfeet

Hi, been lurking on here a long time, but now looking at starting home-building having done a 6 day course at Crimson.

I've been looking around the more specialist tools to equip my workshop (well the garage, once I've cleaned the junk out of it!) and chanced upon this jig via youtube this morning.  The 'kit' looks very good value as it includes the jig, template and fret saw, so I've already ordered.  I really like the simplicity of this and the template having 6 scale lengths on it is a real winner.  To get the equivalent elsewhere will probably be upwards of £230 - this kit with postage is £130.

Danielsguitars

Can you use the basic jig with your own templates, i use guitars and woods ones and one scale is a custom one

TTony

Danielsguitars said:

Can you use the basic jig with your own templates,

Not easily @Danielsguitars, but (see below) ...

I say not easily because the fret position is determined by the pin in the base fitting into the holes in the template.  So, unless your own template has the holes, there's no way of positionining it correctly in the jig.

The standard templates cover a range of scale lengths;

Mixed
24.75″ (628.65mm) – Gibson
25″ (635mm) – PRS
640mm – Grande Bouche
25.4″ (645.16mm) – Martin
25.5″ (647.7mm) – Fender
670mm Petit Bouche

Electric
22″ (558.8mm) – Fender Duo/Mustang
24″ (609.6mm) – Fender Jaguar
24.56″ (623.9mm) – 60’s Gibson
24.75″ (628.65mm) – Gibson/Guild
25″ (635mm) – PRS
25.5″ (647.7mm) – Fender

Acoustic
640mm – Grande Bouche
25.4″ (645.16mm) – Martin
25.5″ (647.7mm) -Taylor/Fender
25.59″ (650mm) – Lowden
25.98″ (660mm) – Classical
670mm Petit Bouche

Bass
30″ (762mm)
32″ (812.8mm)
33.25 (844.55mm)
34″ (863.6mm)
35″ (889mm)
36″ (914.4mm)

Baritone
26.5″ (673.1mm)
27″ (685.8mm)
27.5″ (698.5mm)
28″ (711.2mm)
29.625″ (752.48mm)
30″ (762.0mm)


but ...

If none of those options matches your custom scale length, Darren (Bagpress) would quite probably make a template for you with the custom length on it.

TTony

Cheesyfeet said:

 now looking at starting home-building 

Slippery slope @Cheesyfeet ; - slippery slope


But a very enjoyable one ...

Danielsguitars

TTony said:

Danielsguitars said:

Can you use the basic jig with your own templates,

Not easily @Danielsguitars, but (see below) ...

I say not easily because the fret position is determined by the pin in the base fitting into the holes in the template.  So, unless your own template has the holes, there's no way of positionining it correctly in the jig.

The standard templates cover a range of scale lengths;

Mixed
24.75″ (628.65mm) – Gibson
25″ (635mm) – PRS
640mm – Grande Bouche
25.4″ (645.16mm) – Martin
25.5″ (647.7mm) – Fender
670mm Petit Bouche

Electric
22″ (558.8mm) – Fender Duo/Mustang
24″ (609.6mm) – Fender Jaguar
24.56″ (623.9mm) – 60’s Gibson
24.75″ (628.65mm) – Gibson/Guild
25″ (635mm) – PRS
25.5″ (647.7mm) – Fender

Acoustic
640mm – Grande Bouche
25.4″ (645.16mm) – Martin
25.5″ (647.7mm) -Taylor/Fender
25.59″ (650mm) – Lowden
25.98″ (660mm) – Classical
670mm Petit Bouche

Bass
30″ (762mm)
32″ (812.8mm)
33.25 (844.55mm)
34″ (863.6mm)
35″ (889mm)
36″ (914.4mm)

Baritone
26.5″ (673.1mm)
27″ (685.8mm)
27.5″ (698.5mm)
28″ (711.2mm)
29.625″ (752.48mm)
30″ (762.0mm)


but ...

If none of those options matches your custom scale length, Darren (Bagpress) would quite probably make a template for you with the custom length on it.

Thanks Tony I'm just looking at the video and thought it might not work so I've messaged Mark to see if i can get one custom made, i think this is much easier to use than lots of different templates 

WezV

The Gibson one on offer won't suit those who want an actual Gibson scale length.    Something to be aware of

24 9/16" or 24 5/8" gets you a lot closer with normal fret calculations 


you could probably do a template with 6 version of the Gibson 24 3/4" scale length on it   and find a genuine gibson with each of them

Danielsguitars

WezV said:

The Gibson one on offer won't suit those who want an actual Gibson scale length.    Something to be aware of

24 9/16" or 24 5/8" gets you a lot closer with normal fret calculations 


you could probably do a template with 6 version of the Gibson 24 3/4" scale length on it   and find a genuine gibson with each of them

I sent a message asking if they can custom make what scale i want but haven't had a reply yet

TTony

PM me the scale length @Danielsguitars ;- I’ll get you an answer.