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.
![Image: https://mk0guitarmakinglbvfx.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fret-Slot-Jig-5-scaled.jpg](https://mk0guitarmakinglbvfx.kinstacdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fret-Slot-Jig-5-scaled.jpg)
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 ...
![Image: https://guitarmaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fret-Slot-Jig-15-scaled.jpg](https://guitarmaking.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Fret-Slot-Jig-15-scaled.jpg)
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;
![](src)
![](//img.youtube.com/vi/Cg30OIVBQjQ/0.jpg)
You can buy them (exclusively) here;
https://guitarmaking.co.uk/shop/page/2/
Comments
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.
(formerly customkits)
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.
But a very enjoyable one ...
(formerly customkits)
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
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(formerly customkits)