Official Luthiers Forum!

I've just finished installing frets on my first neck to find they have caused a slight back bow.
I cut a .023" kerf on the African Rosewood (not Bubinga) fingerboard and thought it would be O.K.
I'm pleased I have a double action truss rod installed, but i will have to alter my heel neck set a little.
Is this a common situation? how do you know you've got the right size kerf?......and how do handle the problem
I wonder whether some of you guys(and Gals)could share your experience

Many thanks and regards to all ! KiwiCraig

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CRAIG LAWRENCE of AUSTRALIA
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Hi Craig,
I used to sand a little relief into the fretboard so when the frets are installed it would come out straight.
Now I give the fretboard the contour I want in the end and it works for me.
I think the key with fretwork is practice.
It literally took me 100 fret jobs to "get the hang of it" and feel comfortable doing it.
In my opinion it is one of the hardest tasks in luthery.
BradBrad Goodman38616.3771875

It shouldn't be a problem at all. The tension once strung up should pull it straight or even into a slight relief/bow. Many builders actually prefer having slight relief. I myself prefer a straight fret board. You shouldn't have any problems with a dual action t.r. getting the neck the way you want it.

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

    I use bar frets in vintage restoration and you use them for compression adjustment of the neck. If you can get about a .008 fall of from the 7th fret to the 1st you should be fine. .o23 is a little much and you would need to address that.
   A good scale to see if you are in the ball park is to support the headstock and apply about a 6lb weight in the middle of the neck. This is show you about the movement the neck will do under load. You should see a striaght neck to a slight relief forward. If you still have some backbow (.004 or less you may be okay)
john