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 Post subject: Shout out to Birkonium
PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:55 am 
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Joined: Wed Feb 15, 2006 7:37 am
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The last time I bought CNC’d fretboards was about 10 years ago, but when Andy Birko posted a few on Facebook the other week I decided to pick up a few for upcoming projects. They weren’t much more than the fretboard blank would have been, and having him radius, slot, and faux bind saved me some work.

What I wasn’t expecting was the surface quality. The last CNC’d board I got 10 or so years ago still had small ripples from tooling all along the surface, but thesecame ready to glue. I have no idea whether these are straight off the CNC or given some sanding thereafter, but I can’t find a single mark from tooling. They’re ready to go, seriously. I like to give my fretboards a fine sanding with 600 before fretting for a little lustre, but I could easily go straight to fretting just as these came if that’s not what I was after.

I snapped this pic this morning just to give you an idea. Andy, thanks for your excellent work!

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These users thanked the author James Orr for the post: Pmaj7 (Wed Sep 25, 2019 10:05 am)
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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 1:26 am 
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First name: colin
Last Name: north
Country: Scotland.
Focus: Build
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Sheesh!

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The name catgut is confusing. There are two explanations for the mix up.

Catgut is an abbreviation of the word cattle gut. Gut strings are made from sheep or goat intestines, in the past even from horse, mule or donkey intestines.

Otherwise it could be from the word kitgut or kitstring. Kit meant fiddle, not kitten.


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:02 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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First name: Bryan
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City: St. Louis
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I'm just bumping this up to the first page of new posts so the spammer doesn't overshadow the praise Andy deserves.

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Take care of your feet, and your feet will take care of you.


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:08 am 
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Location: Southeast US
City: Lenoir City
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I had the same experience as James. Got a neck and fretboard from Andy and it required only easy finish sanding to complete it. His products are first rate.

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"Music is what feelings sound like"


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 9:30 am 
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++1

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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:46 pm 
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First name: Ed
Last Name: Minch
City: Chestertown
State: MD
Zip/Postal Code: 21620
Country: United States
Focus: Build
Status: Amateur
A couple of years back I ordered what turned out to be his first slot head. It was on an exceptional piece of oak I sent him. He laso put a diamond volute on it. Came back perfect, ready for 220

Ed


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 12:57 pm 
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Everything I’ve purchased from Andy as been just as great


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PostPosted: Wed Sep 25, 2019 5:21 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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he is a preferred
supplier for us

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PostPosted: Mon Apr 27, 2020 4:04 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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New headplates from Birkonium! Time to build some quarantine git boxes! :D

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Brad


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These users thanked the author bcombs510 for the post: James Orr (Mon Apr 27, 2020 5:28 pm)
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PostPosted: Fri May 01, 2020 3:10 pm 
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Hi guys - Just saw this thread and have to say shucks! Thanks for all the complements!!

To answer the question posed by James - I do not sand parts after they're machined. For fretboards, I'll hit them with a couple swipes of scotchbrite pad but that's it. Necks get no sanding. :)

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PostPosted: Sat May 02, 2020 7:35 pm 
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Joined: Sat Feb 19, 2011 7:44 pm
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Location: Andersonville
State: Tennessee
Country: USA
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Birkonium is awesome!


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