Wesley
Jun-23-2004, 8:27am
I have a friend from the 13th fret message board that isn't able to post here for some reason. So I've offered to re-post his question here. His request is reprinted below :
"Help from someone out there needed, I have a Mandola I built seven years ago, but haven't played it because the finger board isn't correct. I would like to find someone that would give me the accurate fret calculations for this instrument.... much appreciated Dennis in Arizona"
sunburst
Jun-23-2004, 8:54am
Try this: fret scale calculator (http://www.buildyourguitar.com/resources/fretcalc/jscrptclc.htm)
Dave Wendler
Jun-23-2004, 10:43am
I set up a template in my simple Microsoft Works spreadsheet...
Your mathematical constant is: 17.817
You divide the scale length by that amount. Subtract the answer from the original scale length, and that gives you a new "scale length". Divide again by your constant. Subtract the answer from the second scale length. Repeat for however many frets you want. When you are finished, you will have 22, or 24, or however many "scale lengths"...these are your fret distances FROM THE THEORETICAL BRIDGE LOCATION. You can then invert the distances from the 0(nut) location, and that will lay out the fretboard.
For my odd scale instruments, such as fanned frets, I can then take these numbers to my inexpensive "Autosketch" program, and using the "snap" function, lay them out on the computer screen. Then, I print 'em up on heavy paper which I then transfer to my raw(unradiused) fretboard...glue it down with spray contact cement. And now I'm ready to cut slots.
Works great.