Pick clicking against finger-xtn

[keithd]

Nicholas,

Having a luthier scoop the fret board extension is a middle ground measure for you to contemplate. Lot's of great mandolins are made up front with this feature. I've often thought that some of the mandolins I covet (a vintage Gibson A-4 or F-4 for example) have extensions that would be in the way of the "sweet spot" for picking. Check out this Frank Ford piece at Frets.com:

http://www.frets.com/FRETSPa....ue.html (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Luthier/Technique/Mandolin/DropTongue/droptongue.html)

Keith

[keithd]

Nicholas,

Well, I like the Gibson Sam Bush fret board look; that might be a good reference for you:

http://www.gibson.com/products/oai/mandolins/bush.html

If your fretboard is not bound that will make life easier for you.

I don't have too much experience with dremels. You might try posting this over in the Builders section; I'm sure there are lots of knowledgeable folk who can give advice.

Good luck!

Keith

[John S]

This is just my 2 cents and I certainly could be wrong, but I don't think it's necessarily a bad habit that you're digging deep enough to click the fretboard. I like the volume and fat tone I get from a loose pick grip and digging in a little bit, and before I had my extension scooped the clicking really bothered me. In addition to scooping the fretboard extension, I also had the pickguard lowered because it too got in the way when I picked the E string.

[peterbc]

I don't think it's a bad habit either. I dig in, but I don't have an extension so it doesn't get in the way. Personally, I'd hack it off (I don't care for the scooped out look myself, though that's all a matter of preference).

[Gail Hester]

Nicholas, with many players it doesn’t matter whether the extension is scooped or not but the modern consensus seems to be that it’s a good thing. #I build them both ways depending on the player’s choice. #

If you decide to do it yourself (I’d recommend taking it to a Luthier) it can be done using a number of tools but the simplest is to use a flat file and a round file to smooth the transition. #Decide how far you want to scoop, some people scoop the entire extension and some scoop only five frets to retain the high E note. #Remove the frets carefully, go slow and steady and file down flat until the fret slots are gone, that should be about half the thickness of the fret board. #You can also draw a guide line at half thickness as a reference.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

Don't forget to put something ( a towel, piece of cardboard, etc . . .) between the extension and the mandolin top to protect against an oops! I did this to my varnished Fern and although I'm not a luthier, it turned out great. The key is to go slow.

[mandroid]

Also: suggest: New sharp files, for given type, shorter is cut finer than longer length file.
I have a Nicholsen 'Vixen' originally for cutting aluminum, it has a smooth plane like function because of curved teeth with space in between to resist clogging with chips.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wow.gif

[Mandovt]

I hacked mine off my pac rim kentucy.
here is a pic

[b.pat]

Am I missing something here? #Why not scoop it? Then if it doesn't work out, Hack away!! #What have you got to loose?
# # # # # # # #B.Pat
# # # # # # # # # http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Magnus Geijer]

I did mine with the 1/2" sanding drum on the dremel and a flat file. Ebony being as hard as it is, it was slow enough work that keeping it level and flat never was an issue for me. Come to think of it though, I'm not sure if I had the finger board on the mando or not at the time.

[Lee]

Mandovt; nice job! I think the mando looks better without it too. Hack away!

[Tom C]

Even scooped I get some clicking but not as much.

[mandoman4807]

The plus for scooping the extension is it can always be brought back to stock. When it is hacked, there is no turning back. This is especially important on a high dollar mandolin!


Darrell

[misifus]

I think the "flat base" was just a board that he mounted the Dremel tool on. He just let the cutting tip of the dremel stick through far enough to lower the level of the fingerboard.

-Raf

[Chip Booth]

I am strongly condsidering having my Gibson Fern scooped and possibly having the fretboard radiused a tiny bit (by a real pro of course). Any thoughts on how people might react to this should I ever decide to sell it?