Fingerboard trueing/radiusing for 4001FL?

endlessbassic · Post by **endlessbassic** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 6:01 am

Hey All.. does any one know (or know how to find out) what the radius is on a '75 4001FL fingerboard? I think i need to have mine 'trued', as there are some inconsistencies (little peaks and valleys that buzz at unfortunate points).. I'm considering doing the work myself and just need to figure out which radiusing block to purchase.

Also, if this is work best left to someone who has done this before, please don't hesitate to let me know. I guess my thinking is that if i can pull, recondition and reinstall truss rods, how tough can this be?

Thanks in advance for the help!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:03 am

70's 4001s always measure out at 7.25" by my radius gauges. I assume the FL is the same.

endlessbassic · Post by **endlessbassic** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 7:22 am

Thank you, Ted. The depth of info that you possess is frightening.. but very helpful! So, is this something that you think is do-able by someone with time and patience?

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 9:27 am

I design networks for a living but have always been fascinated by the art of lutherie. In fact, I almost went to violin building school after high school. I love to tinker with my basses. That is how I learned to some of the stuff I know how to do. I am not an expert by any stretch (not like Dale or Mark) but I do have fun learning about it.

endlessbassic · Post by **endlessbassic** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 10:02 am

For me, it's an all-out aversion to spending money on work i can (potentially) do myself! Still, i have to acknowledge when i shouldn't be doing something for fear of making it worse.. that, in and of itself, is the hardest part!

rickfan60 · Post by **rickfan60** » Mon Jul 24, 2006 11:28 am

Stewart Macdonald sells an 18" aluminum sanding beam that does a nice job but it is over $100. I have one and can attest that it cuts very even radii. As far as the wear goes, Bill Henshell refinished his fretless fingerboard with the same epoxy that Jaco used and he reports that it has not worn a bit since then. He applied several coats and buffed them to a nice shine that seems to hold up nicely.