MULTISCALE FRET SLOTTING
GMC Luthier Tools offer a range of pre-designed Multiscale Templates & Jigs.
The jig greatly simplifies the process of creating a multiscale fretboard. The range of jigs available is based on specifications of jigs previously supplied to customer requirements.
The jig includes everything needed for making a multiscale fretboard:
Fretboard Template & 2 Fret Slot Locators.
Slotting Jig Base.
Luthiers Fretsaw.
Geometry Layout Gauge.
In addition to our pre-designed jigs, we can provide custom jigs and templates to your requirements. Recent supply includes extra wide multiscale jigs for 10-string guitars.
JIG BASE
The standard multiscale jig base is 715mm long and will accommodate 78mm maximum fretboard width. Wider versions can be manufactured if needed.
The jig base has a grooved rubber surface which provides firm/flexible support for the fretboard. The base features 20mm thick precision planed hardwood as the main component, with additional side plates incorporating the template mounting holes.
The jig base can also be used with our parallel fret scale templates for guitar, baritone and bass.
MULTISCALE SLOTTING JIG TEMPLATE
The template is a custom designed and manufactured channel that fits over the outside of the jig base and rests directly on the top of the fretboard.
The template resting height can be adjusted to suit the fretboard thickness via the fastening screws & slots.
PREPARATION & SETUP
To avoid fretboard movement when cutting the slots, the fretboard blank should be trimmed for a snug fit inside the jig base side plates - (78mm).
Narrower boards can be used on the jig with some improvisation e.g. by adding some thin packers between the edges of the board and jig side plates.
The fret slot locators should be fitted after cutting initial slots at opposite ends of the board - ideally positioned at the 1st fret and last fret. These maintain alignment of the fretboard and template.
As all geometry relates to the centre of the jig, it is essential that the centreline is pencil marked on the board using the alignment marks provided on the jig for reference.
MULTISCALE GEOMETRY LAYOUT GAUGE:
The Layout Gauge is a valuable reference tool for the instrument build and provides the geometry and all relationships with reference to the centre line of the instrument as follows:
Nut Angle
Bridge Angle and Position
Treble Scale Length
Bass Scale Length
Nut String Spacing (Overall)
Bridge String Spacing (Overall)
INCLUDED FRETSAW
A precision luthiers fretsaw with hardwood handle and 5x 32tpi blades is included. Kerf Width 0.023" / 0.6mm.
The blade is guided in the template slots and the saw teeth pass through notches at the sides of the template.
Fret slot depth is achieved when the fretsaw back contacts the top surface of the template.
The fretsaw supplied – 4.5mm depth – includes an allowance for the template thickness.
