Scalloped fretboard extension

[Iron]

I just bought a Gibson F5 MM and it is mint, all my mandolins have PG's and scalloped fret board extensions, but this one might be best left alone , what do you say scallop or not This thing has it all in spades but the sweet spot is definetly over the extension
Best

[Amanda Gregg]

I mean, if it were me? I dig deep when I pick. I'd scallop. If you don't hear much annoying clicking or it doesn't get in your way, no need.

[Astro]

I'd scallop if I hit it.

Maybe have Gibson do it so its factory.

I'll bet its saweeeet !

[Iron]

I'd scallop if I hit it.

Maybe have Gibson do it so its factory.

I'll bet its saweeeet !

Yes it is sweet , Charlie Derrington signed that's why I was thinking about just leaving it original, but sending it to Gibson for scalloping the fret board extension and a abbreviated pickguard is a good idea.
Thanks.

[UsuallyPickin]

Replace the original fretboard with a scalloped fretboard. Keep the original for future collectible value.......... R/

[pheffernan]

I just bought a Gibson F5 MM and it is mint

Hey Iron, which one did you get?

Carter's has a Ricky Skaggs for $17.5K: http://cartervintage.com/mandopage/m....html#skaggs19
Gruhn has a prototype for $18.5K: http://www.gruhn.com/inventory?field...category_tid=3
Gryphon has a 2001 for $14.8K: http://www.gryphonstrings.com/instpix/43641/index.php
There's a DMM in the classifieds for $14,795: http://www.mandolincafe.com/ads/78206
The Music Emporium has a 2004 for $16K: http://www.themusicemporium.com/prod...odel-2004.html
There's a 2011 lacquer one on eBay for $9.5K: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Gibson-F5-Ma...item2a4167658c
The Mandolin Store has a Skaggs for $14,999: http://www.themandolinstore.com/scri...idProduct=9930
Long&McQuade has a koa one for $14,050 CDN: http://www.long-mcquade.com/25493/Gu...ster_Model.htm
Lark Street Music has a prototype for $15.9K: http://www.larkstreetmusic.com/stock.html

[David Smith]

Iron, I just returned from a week of classes with John Reischman who (arguably) may have the finest sounding Loar out there and he replaced the flat fretboard with a radiused and scooped the extension. I don't think it reduced the value of that instrument one iota.

[Iron]

I got mine from a forum member he made me a good deal too.
Thanks for your help

[mandroid]

there is the Sam Bush solution too ..

Of course just plucking the frets out gains a little clearance ..
Ive seen the slots inlaid with the same 'German silver' to look like the missing frets ..

Replacing fingerboards of a musician's well played working for living mandolin
is not uncommon ..

[PaulBills]

Mind if I ask? Howd'ya mean 'Scalloped'? In my minds eye I'm seeing a piecrust edge, and I'm sure that's not it...

[mandroid]

Doubt any of Antonio Stradivarius's 16th century violins have their original fingerboards by now ,

still seem to hold their value.

[sgarrity]

Scoop and play it!

[GTison]

I don't own one. I would like to own one though. Each time I see one that has the scooped fingerboard I wince. Sorry, guys I personally don't like the look of it. I own a Fern, the FB extension doesn't bother me. I also play with the finger rest on a lot.

Leave it be, so that one day I can sell the violin and buy it.

[Bill Snyder]

Mind if I ask? Howd'ya mean 'Scalloped'? In my minds eye I'm seeing a piecrust edge, and I'm sure that's not it...

Paul, they mean scooped. Many players like to pick over the "Florida" (the narrower part of some fretboards up where the HIGH notes are). This can cause a problem with pick click. The solutions are to pick elsewhere, don't dig so deep when you pick, cut the dadgum end of the board off or scoop it out so that it is thinner than the rest of the board but still there.

[PaulBills]

Ahhh now I get ya, thin the wood out so it doesn't catch the pick - have to admit, I tend to pick at that point, but i'm forcing myself to move my hand back towards the bridge

[Iron]

Hey Iron, which one did you get?

Hey, pheffnan the information and leads you gave me came in mighty handy when I was negotiating a fair price on the MM
Much appreciated
Thank you

[Iron]

There is too much tone and volume lost picking behind the fretboard extension on this MM or I would just leave it alone as a Grasser we play hard in dig in hard .
Thanks men for your opinions
Best

[Astro]

I agree with you. That thing is a vestigial appendage that detracts from tone as it interferes with the sweet spot. Have you ever heard any significant piece of work that uses those frets? Tradition is wonderful when it makes since and stupid when it doesn't. i mean if its a museum piece, then by all means showcase it as original but if its for you to play, then correct the problem.

Once scooped, the remaining extension may be useful if you want to attach an abbreviated pick guard (I think but not sure because I haven't done it yet... Maybe those that know can chime in here). Anyway, I would not sam bushwhack yours. There is nothing wrong with those made with an even fretboard ending, but your's wasnt. There is nothing wrong with sambushwhacking an inexpensive instrument either but yours is beyond that. I think you are right to have gibson scoop it and maybe get Harvey to sign off on the set up afterwards. As far as having the fretboard replaced, I'd say no. I cant really tell much difference between the playability of the radiused and non radiused fretboard on mandolin. Maybe more experienced musicians feel otherwise but if you make it that far, you can always do that down the road.

[DataNick]

Being it's a MM, I'd have Gibson or a really good luthier(Dudenbostel, Kimble, etc) scoop it; unless you can pick without the click!

Personally, I can't, so I'd scoop...

[JeffD]

Unless you plan on selling it, it has no future value. None.

[High Lonesome Valley]

If you asked me as a preservationist, I'd say "no". Have I done similar to an instrument I bought with my hard earned money? Yes.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Once scooped, the remaining extension may be useful if you want to attach an abbreviated pick guard (I think but not sure because I haven't done it yet... Maybe those that know can chime in here).

I have done it (installed an abbreviated finger-rest) and yes, the remaining extension is useful.

[Iron]

Well Gibson company won't do the work and there is not a good Luthier around here so I guess the old girl stays original for awhile.
Best

[DataNick]

You can ship to Dudenbostel, Kimble, etc.

[Zissou Intern]

Doubt any of Antonio Stradivarius's 16th century violins have their original fingerboards by now ,

still seem to hold their value.

Actually a vast majority of Strad's don't even have their original necks. The scrolls were grafted onto new, longer necks precipitated by the standardization to A=440Hz.