Pesky fretboard extension

[johnwalser]

Got a new Paris Swing Samois last month. Replaced those miserable tuners with nickel Grovers, replaced those terribly thin frets (the first ten.....I only occasional visit any higher on the fretboard) with jumbo frets, made a new nut, fit a new bridge I modified a bit and put on my beloved Thomastick strings. I then found the "sweet pickin' spot" was right over that danged ole fretboard extension. I was getting so much pick click it sounded like a rat eating dry pasta. Today I cut it off (after a week of planning) and I can now pick where God intended. Now would I have gone to all this trouble for an instrument that sounded mediocre. Heck no....my momma didn't raise any fools. It has deep rich tone and sustain beyond anything else I've played or heard anybody else play. This will be a keeper.
John

[James P]

It looks much better with the extensionectomy too.

Rats chewing on dry pasta.

[Kevin K]

What was your process in the surgery?

[johnwalser]

Kevin,
First I covered a piece of thin sheet metal with duct tape and taped it down under extension so that I could not possibly damage finish. I then took a smooth bladed hacksaw and just took my time sawing through extension and then a file and several grades of sandpaper to shape and smooth end. I had planned to use some lacquer on wood, but it came out so nice, I ended up putting a bit of guitar carnauba wax on the wood. Looks like it came from the factory like this.
John

[JEStanek]

John,
Looks great, between that, the refret, and new tuners/strings and your time at lutier rates, you may have doubled the value of the instrument. Looks like your investments have paid off well!

Jamie