Fretboard replacement

**TCR** · Sep-19-2007, 5:53pm

Hey all. Just wondering the difficulty(s) of removing an old rosewood fretboard with thin frets and replacing it with a new ebony fretboard w/t larger frets. thought I would ask the forum before my Luthier. Thanks.

**mando.player** · Sep-19-2007, 6:18pm

For what it's worth I had my Eastman worked over. Specifically I had the frets replaced and the board radiused to match the specs of my Rigel. So, flat and skinny to radiused (compound) and wide. Sounds like my belly over time...lol.

Anyhow, I got a very reasonable quote for the work and I pulled the trigger. It's probably the best thing I've done in a long time. The Eastman gets a lot more playing time now that it's a closer match to the Rigel.

**sunburst** · Sep-19-2007, 6:21pm

I'd say your luthier is the one to ask.
As for difficulty, it depends on the type of mandolin, type of finish, whether the 'board is bound or not, what you want it to look like when it's done (like new vs. like it's had the 'board replaced) etc..

**mando.player** · Sep-19-2007, 6:42pm

I didn't investigate getting the board replaced. I figured it would be more money since the Eastman's board is not elevated. It sits on the top. It's also bound.

**james condino** · Sep-19-2007, 6:53pm

TCR:
I'd go ahead and ask your luthier. Most of us are so swamped with work that we'll give you an honest answer. As with everything, it is in your best effort to be an informed consumer. Shop around a bit; not so much for the best price, but rather for the best person to do the job you are after.

j.
www.condino.com

**Paul Hostetter** · Sep-19-2007, 6:58pm

Amen. And removing an old board is, if nothing else, simply a matter of planing it off. Sometimes glue joints are intractable, so the only practical choice is to get it off in the form of shavings. A good luthier will know this and take the most expedient route.

Sep-20-2007, 6:40am

Just how old is this "old rosewood fretboard?"

**Bill Snyder** · Sep-20-2007, 7:16am

You could just have the rosewood board refretted.

**mandolooter** · Oct-11-2007, 1:30pm

[QUOTE]You could just have the rosewood board refretted.

Thats what I was thinking. Depending on the thickness a bit of radius might be put on it also. I'd still ask around the local luthiers and get there pro opinion. My experience is limited to 4 fret jobs.