Fretboard slots too deep.

[del]

Hi,

I am using a pre-slotted fretboard from Stew-Mac. I am not binding the sides of the fretboard.

The slots are deeper than the fret tang so that once installed part of the slot (below the fret) shows on the sides.

Should I just use black wood filler and mask the holes?

Next time should I sand the fretboard down so that the slots aren't as deep?

Thanks,

Gerry

[countrygent]

i am not as experienced as some of the others, but stick shellac should work well to fill the gaps. Someone else may have a better idea for you but thats just my 2 cents.

[sunburst]

The slots need to be deeper than the fret tang, or the frets won't seat properly, so don't sand the board down next time.

You can just leave the "holes", or you can use stick shellac, as suggested, but you have to know how to use it, and have the equipment.
I usually use dyed 5 minute epoxy. It seems more stable and doesn't bulge out or sink in later as much as stick shellac. It's also tougher and less likely to chip out.

[Celtic Saguaro]

Just checked my 1980 Stew-Mac. #Yes, you can see ends of the fret tangs. It's the least of the my instrument's cosmetic problems! #I doesn't begin to bother me. But, as long as you haven't left the fret tangs as wide as I did it shouldn't be a problem you can't fix with a little filler of some sort.

[del]

Thanks for the advice and the quick response.

I'll look into stick shellac.

Any thoughts on using black wood filler such as the Stew-Mac:ColorTone Waterbase Grain Filler?

The fret tang showing doesn't bother me. It's the empty slot just below the fret tang that I am wondering about.

Thanks again.

[sunburst]

Grain filler is only meant to fill grain. That is, the pores in the wood. It isn't meant for larger holes like the ends of the fret slots. I don't know how well it would work, but I suspect not very well.

[Chris Baird]

Ebony dust and epoxy, mixed to a fairly thick filler. It is desirable to have fret slots that are deeper, both for insurance against bottoming a fret tang, and also for future refrets.

[JEStanek]

You could use a neck with different depths of fret slot gap as a pan flute?
Zamphirolin?
Jamie

[Paul Hostetter]

Medium CA works for me. It shows black because it's dark in there! Shellac stick is too much trouble, and doesn't adhere very well.

[Antlurz]

Just plain old white glue and ebony dust works also. It will shrink down and may need two applications to build it up, but is easy to work with and virtually invisible when finished. I leave a high blob on each slot and flat-file off the excess when dried.

Ron

[Bill Halsey]

For a nice unbound appearance, you can use ebony binding (or whatever matches the fretboard) and undercut the fret tangs.