First post - Fretboard radius

Localele · Post by **Localele** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:52 pm

Time to introduce myself and ask a few questions.I have been building a few ukuleles and want to move over/up to guitars.What is the "standard " fretboard radius for steel strings? Also the standard body and soundboard radii?Thanks in advance and Cheers form Micheal.Some pics may or may not appear with this post.

kiwigeo · Post by **kiwigeo** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 1:55 pm

Welcome to the forum

Youve got a few choices....you can go for one radius for entire length of the fretboard or a compound radius.

I graduate radius on my steel string fretboards from 9 1/2' through 12' through to 16' radius from nut to soundhole. I divide the fretboard roughly into thirds and radius by hand using radiused sanding blocks.

Craig · Post by **Craig** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 5:42 pm

Welcome aboard Michael,

16" ( all the way ) seems to be the most popular

Hey , they're nice looking Ukes you've made there !

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:06 pm

Welcome to the forum Michael.

I was going with a compound radius for my fret boards, but have now gone to a 16" radius from nut to sound hole.

As far as top and back radius, I use 25' on the top and 15' on the back. For no other reason than that is what I read as being the preferred dome when I first built my radius dishes.

Localele · Post by **Localele** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 7:44 pm

Hello Craig, The ukes are fun to build and play and there are some more pics and info on my website at www.michealconnorwoodwork.com.au/ukuleles.htm

Hello Allan , As the fretboard gets wider towards the body does the constant radius tend to make it look thinner or is it not enough to worry about?I think that makes sense?Cheers.

jeffhigh · Post by **jeffhigh** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 8:18 pm

Yes it does but not enough to worry about with 16" radius.

Allen · Post by **Allen** » Mon Oct 27, 2008 9:24 pm

To be honest, I've not put the calipers on it, but to the eye, it's so slight that you don't spot it.

hilo_kawika · Post by **hilo_kawika** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 3:18 am

Hi Michael,

Very pretty work. Nice to have another ukulele maker on board.

aloha,

Dave Hurd
www.ukuleles.com

Kim · Post by **Kim** » Tue Oct 28, 2008 6:00 am

Excellent work Michael welcome to the ANZLF,

Had a look around your website and I really like what have been up to. Coolest looking hollow form surfboards and the trophies you made for the Whale Bone Classic at Cottesloe Beach WA would have been very well received I'm sure.

With your obvious hand skills you should find the transition across to guitars from ukes pretty easy going as well.

Cheers

Kim

Australian/New Zealand Luthiers Forum

First post - Fretboard radius

First post - Fretboard radius

Who is online