Rolling fretboard edges on rosewood Tele neck

scarry67 · April 2023

Is this a pro luthier job? My Fender MIM Classic 60s neck is pretty sharp at edges and I can’t imagine my playing will smooth it out in my lifetime. Did old Teles really soften over time? I read something about using flat part of screwdriver to chamfer it…

paulnb57 · April 2023

I use a Stanley knife blade as a scraper, go steady and sneak up on it..

BillDL · April 2023

scarry67 said:

I read something about using flat part of screwdriver to chamfer it…

Are you sure the advice wasn't to use the round shaft of a screwdriver to "rub" along the edge of the fretboard between the frets to soften/burnish the sharp corner? That would seem more likely and would be safer for somebody to try without prior experience. If you scrape or sand away the fretboard edge you need to be mindful of the fact that the frets are going to remain the same length on the wood they are embedded into, so if you remove too much wood between them the fret ends could end up feeling too pronounced like the serrations of a blunt bread knife.

stickyfiddle · April 2023

I've done it a bunch of times using the Stanley blade method, and finished off with micro mesh.

Full description here and pic below

@BillDL is right that the screwdriver method is using the shaft of a screwdriver to compress the material, but I've always thought that would give less control so never done it that way.

thermionic · April 2023

I’ve (gently) tried both methods and I think the screwdriver method is riskier in terms of damaging the finish on the shoulders of the neck.

Incidentally, I have a 2001 MIM Classic 60s Tele that has nicely rounded edges. I suspect the previous owner had played it a lot.

WezV · April 2023

Gently scrape with a razor blade. Hold it lightly, as light as possible without dropping it.

If you want a consistent rollover always scrape in one direction. If you want more of a scalloped rollover, scrape back and forth.

Start with the blade nearly flat against the board, then do small scrapes, rotating slightly after each pass so the blade ends up nearly flat with the edge of the fretboard.

On old vid I did to show that

WezV · April 2023

That's on an unfinished maple neck, but the same works on a finished rosewood one, you just lose a mm or so of finish to the round over.

scarry67 · April 2023

Thanks all. Sounds and looks like a very careful approach with a Stanley knife is way forward. (And not after a couple of glasses of wine…)

ElectricXII · April 2023

thermionic said:

I’ve (gently) tried both methods and I think the screwdriver method is riskier in terms of damaging the finish on the shoulders of the neck.

This^

I tried the screwdriver method a few years ago on a rosewood board P-bass and ended up making a mess because the screwdriver cracked the finish which unbeknownst to me had been sprayed up onto the sides of the fingerboard. I would use a razor blade next time.

paulnb57 · April 2023

stickyfiddle said:

I've done it a bunch of times using the Stanley blade method, and finished off with micro mesh.

Full description here and pic below

@BillDL is right that the screwdriver method is using the shaft of a screwdriver to compress the material, but I've always thought that would give less control so never done it that way.

Thats the way I do it
I change the angle of the blade to achieve a radius rather than a flat (I guess Sticky does too)
Ju

stickyfiddle · April 2023

^^ yup

guitargeek62 · April 2023

scarry67 said:

Thanks all. Sounds and looks like a very careful approach with a Stanley knife is way forward. (And not after a couple of glasses of wine…)

Just the blade though, you’ll have better fine control that way

RichAC · April 2023

Since the original question has been answered, perhaps I could ask a more basic one… what’s the advantage of rolled fingerboard edges? Is it just a feel thing?

Either I’ve never played a guitar with them, or I haven’t noticed.

scarry67 · April 2023

I may be wrong but I’ve got bruising on lower part of my left thumb on inside which I think is caused by wrapping it into the slightly sharp edge of the fretboard - but it might be age/knackered bones

stickyfiddle · April 2023

RichAC said:

Since the original question has been answered, perhaps I could ask a more basic one… what’s the advantage of rolled fingerboard edges? Is it just a feel thing?

Either I’ve never played a guitar with them, or I haven’t noticed.

It just makes the edges feel softer which makes the neck more comfortable and in turn makes the guitar easier to play. I guess you could make an analogy to an old worn-in shoe

For me it’s a gamechanger and non-negotiable

RichAC · April 2023

Thanks! I’ll keep an eye out (and a finger) to see if I like it when I encounter one.

slowbones · May 2023

I used the edge of a screwdriver carefully on a MIM Strat Rosewood board. Happy with the results but feel like I could have gone a bit further. Might give the blade method a go.

mrkb · May 2023

slowbones said:

I used the edge of a screwdriver carefully on a MIM Strat Rosewood board. Happy with the results but feel like I could have gone a bit further. Might give the blade method a go.

Screwdriver shaft ends up compressing the wood, so is limited and can crack varnish. Scraping with a blade is much better.

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Rolling fretboard edges on rosewood Tele neck

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