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Hello, I've got another first timer question. I've installed my frets in an ebony board, and am ready to fill the gaps under the fret ends. Do you guys just fill with ebony dust then drip CA in them, or maybe mix dust and epoxy and press it in, or what?

Thanks, (I'm getting close)

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

Ron,
I try to cut the slots so that there is as little to fill as possible. Given that, I have put dust in and then thin CA, also just used the #20 CA by it self.

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Dave Bland

remember...

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

ron, are you referring to the gaps in the sides of the fb below the fret where the fret tang is visible?

Yes Michael.

And, Dave, doesn't the gap still show if you use only CA? I will be more careful of the slot depth on my second guitar. I do have some gaps about 1/32-1/16, though.

Ronold man38692.6014814815

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

What I did on my LMI kit (First foray into lutherie) was drop a little med. thickness CA into the gap and sand lightly with some 220. I think I got that from the Finocchio video. It worked great, and you cannot see the gap at all.

I'm interested to hear what others are doing tho'.

-Mark

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Pullman, WA

The more I know, the more I know I don't know.

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I use a hot knife and black shellac stick. It dries immediately and is not messy at all.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

What do you do with the excess that stays on the fingerboard?

Are you asking me, Terry? The shellac stick sands off easily. Forgot to mention, you can also use a soldering iron to melt the shellac stick.

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Rian Gitar og Mandolin

what arnt said!

Yea, T. McNight influenced me to use it too. I used it on my recent, but will probably bind most of my FB's from here out.

I was really concerned about melting the finish, even with the burn- baum. It didn't but I was mighty uncomfortable. I didn't practice on anything, just used the electric iron that came with it. I'd prefer a little artist's spatula and propane torch to put the fill stick in.

Thanks, Mark and everyone else. I have the CA and Mark's way sounds very easy, I'll try that. I've read about the fill sticks but don't have any handy.

Ron

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OLD MAN formerly (and formally) known as:

Ron Wisdom

Somewhere in the middle of Arkansas......

    I use the dust and CA on the fret slots. I use a tang nipper and this way the ends are open all the way. It also makes for a smoother feel on the frets.
    Then I use the thin CA and let the glue in the slot. sand and you have the line filled
john
Come and see me Terry and I will be happy to help