Main Forums => Technical Discussion => Topic started by: hadden on July 03, 2011, 09:32:52 AM

Title: What radius blocks for Larrivee compound neck?
Post by: hadden on July 03, 2011, 09:32:52 AM
I wanted to get these to do fret work. I don't know how many different radius I need, or how you graduate things along.
Title: Re: What radius blocks for Larrivee compound neck?
Post by: unclrob on July 03, 2011, 11:50:59 AM
If it helps I use the 3M wet-sand blocks.Since it has a spong inside it will contour to the radious.I use progresively finer grits,150,250 and 300.After that I cut strips of standard sandpaper 320,400 and final 600.I also brush off the dust between sandings.After the sanding I crown then finish off with 0000 steel wool.Last step is to oil the fingerboard,I use pre boiled linseed oil.Wipe it on wait 30 seconds wipe off.Make sure that before doinf anything that the fingerboard is perfectly flat{I flatten the radious with the strings on}.As always if I can help call,PM,email me. :thumb
Title: Re: What radius blocks for Larrivee compound neck?
Post by: Matthew Larrivee on July 03, 2011, 12:22:17 PM
I personally found the radius blocks do not work very well. In addition we use a slight compound to the fretboard so you would need multiple radii blocks.

Your best bet is to use a leveling bar. At the shop in Oxnard we use the Stewart Mcdonald ones. We use them both for leveling the fretboard and the frets. We just recently started using them and I wont go back to using anything else now. They also allow you to keep the variable radius. The 16" and 8" are a great combo. The 8" is great to put in a slight fallaway

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fret_Fingerboard_Levelers.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=6012
Title: Re: What radius blocks for Larrivee compound neck?
Post by: Danny on July 03, 2011, 10:40:05 PM
Quote from: Matthew Larrivee on July 03, 2011, 12:22:17 PM
I personally found the radius blocks do not work very well. In addition we use a slight compound to the fretboard so you would need multiple radii blocks.

Your best bet is to use a leveling bar. At the shop in Oxnard we use the Stewart Mcdonald ones. We use them both for leveling the fretboard and the frets. We just recently started using them and I wont go back to using anything else now. They also allow you to keep the variable radius. The 16" and 8" are a great combo. The 8" is great to put in a slight fallaway

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Leveling/Fret_Fingerboard_Levelers.html?actn=100101&xst=3&xsr=6012
Thanks for this info. Matthew. The video StewMac has helped me understand why this works better than a radius bar.
Title: Re: What radius blocks for Larrivee compound neck?
Post by: hadden on July 04, 2011, 11:21:51 AM
Thanks Matthew and Rob. From Eyeballing the saddle doesn't match the fret board -- a Larrivee. I'll need another one done -- though with compound what do I match it to? It looks more curved than the board.

with the levellers -- I could get away with just the 8" yes?