Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 05/08/2014:  05:49:24

I have been trying to find a printable template for a 21" scale for a tenor banjo I am working on building for a customer.  I thought I could use the fret template from my dobro plan but I found that the frets are not very accurately located on the diagram.  I looked up Wfret but did not see a version that would run on a Mac computer which is all I have.  I did find the Stewm-Mac calculator but I do not have much confidence in my ability to measure to three decimal places.  Any advice will be much appreciated.

Zach

rudy - Posted - 05/08/2014:  05:57:46

Does Mac do Java?  You should get some responses for some of the Web-based Java script programs for templates.

PDFs print accurately; I have multi-scale templates available as free downloads at my website, don't remember off-hand what the shortest is.  I do them in CAD to .001" and "print" the resulting CAD files as PDFs so they can be accurately reproduced on a home printer.

I should do a second series to handle all those shorter-scale instruments such as all the mando family, ukes, etc. as the banjo series get downloaded pretty often.

Edited by - rudy on 05/08/2014 06:00:52

Ken LeVan - Posted - 05/08/2014:  06:28:04

Zach,

Do you have Adobe Illustrator?

I have a Mac, use the LibreOffice spreadsheet (which can be downloaded free) to calculate the spacings, then create an Illustrator file from those, which can be printed out.

I have never heard of a special Mac app for fret spacings, but there is probably one out there somewhere.

Ken

tiband - Posted - 05/08/2014:  07:49:32

Zachary,Try this web site. 

ekips.org/tools/guitar/fretfind2d/

I used it in many occasion and it is quite accurate. I print the fingerboard and use the chart that goes with it to verify and everything match perfectly.

Then I use both to create a template on a fiberglass plate. just like the ones you can buy at LMI         lmii.com/products/tools-servic...templates

mmuussiiccaall - Posted - 05/08/2014:  08:37:01

quote:

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Originally posted by rudy

Does Mac do Java?  You should get some responses for some of the Web-based Java script programs for templates.

PDFs print accurately; I have multi-scale templates available as free downloads at my website, don't remember off-hand what the shortest is.  I do them in CAD to .001" and "print" the resulting CAD files as PDFs so they can be accurately reproduced on a home printer.

I should do a second series to handle all those shorter-scale instruments such as all the mando family, ukes, etc. as the banjo series get downloaded pretty often.

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bluestemstrings.com/pageBanjoC...html#NECK

thanks, enjoyed your site, Rick

Ladelnutts - Posted - 05/08/2014:  13:09:02

What about the outline (profile) of the fretboard? I can lay the frets out but I never seem to get the profile of the fretboard right. Does anyone have a template for the profile of a 26 3/16" fretboard in digital format?

Ken LeVan - Posted - 05/08/2014:  13:48:31

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

What about the outline (profile) of the fretboard? I can lay the frets out but I never seem to get the profile of the fretboard right. Does anyone have a template for the profile of a 26 3/16" fretboard in digital format?

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If I was making a layout for you, you would have to specify:

(1) width at the nut,

(2) width at the other end where the fingerboard joins the pot

(3) thickness of bindings

(4) pot diameter

(5) desired bridge position

(6) number of frets

(7) scale length

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 05/08/2014:  15:23:07

Thank you Rudy(or is it Randy?).  I should have checked bluestemstrings, that PDF on two pages is perfect for my purposes.  It doesn't have a 21" scale but by cutting off the 25" scale at the 3rd fret I can have a 21-1/64" scale which is plenty close enough for me.  That set of scale lengths will be invaluable in the future too, I am sure.

Zach

rudy - Posted - 05/08/2014:  15:45:04

quote:

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Originally posted by Zachary Hoyt

Thank you Rudy(or is it Randy?).  I should have checked bluestemstrings, that PDF on two pages is perfect for my purposes.  It doesn't have a 21" scale but by cutting off the 25" scale at the 3rd fret I can have a 21-1/64" scale which is plenty close enough for me.  That set of scale lengths will be invaluable in the future too, I am sure.

Zach

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Hi Zach, you're entirely welcome.

Randy or Rudy?  It's both.  Randy's my gven name and Rudy is my nickname and internet nom de plume.  I answer to either.

rudy - Posted - 05/08/2014:  15:48:42

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

What about the outline (profile) of the fretboard? I can lay the frets out but I never seem to get the profile of the fretboard right. Does anyone have a template for the profile of a 26 3/16" fretboard in digital format?

---

You do need to think about a list of specifications that you want to use for board profile layout.  Once you know what you want there's an entire section devoted to profile layout on the "Open Back Banjo Design Primer" page at my website.

Rather than depending on someone else's concept of what a board should look like I try to give you the tools to understand the reasoning behind choices and to enable you to make anything you want.

Ladelnutts - Posted - 05/09/2014:  08:16:47

quote:

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Originally posted by rudy

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

What about the outline (profile) of the fretboard? I can lay the frets out but I never seem to get the profile of the fretboard right. Does anyone have a template for the profile of a 26 3/16" fretboard in digital format?

---

You do need to think about a list of specifications that you want to use for board profile layout.  Once you know what you want there's an entire section devoted to profile layout on the "Open Back Banjo Design Primer" page at my website.

Rather than depending on someone else's concept of what a board should look like I try to give you the tools to understand the reasoning behind choices and to enable you to make anything you want.

---

Rudy,

I understand what you are saying about understanding the 'how."  I have used your tutorial to lay out a 26 3/16" board but I have no reference to check my work.  With 26 3/16" being the predominant scale length on the old Mastertones I just find it odd that there isn't a template out there for replicating this.  Without having one to measure or a template from someone I just don't know how I go about making sure what I have drawn is correct.  

Ken LeVan - Posted - 05/09/2014:  08:41:48

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

With 26 3/16" being the predominant scale length on the old Mastertones I just find it odd that there isn't a template out there for replicating this.  Without having one to measure or a template from someone I just don't know how I go about making sure what I have drawn is correct.  

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The PW Mastertone scale was 26 3/8"

rudy - Posted - 05/09/2014:  08:43:22

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

quote:

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Originally posted by rudy

quote:

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Originally posted by Ladelnutts

What about the outline (profile) of the fretboard? I can lay the frets out but I never seem to get the profile of the fretboard right. Does anyone have a template for the profile of a 26 3/16" fretboard in digital format?

---

You do need to think about a list of specifications that you want to use for board profile layout.  Once you know what you want there's an entire section devoted to profile layout on the "Open Back Banjo Design Primer" page at my website.

Rather than depending on someone else's concept of what a board should look like I try to give you the tools to understand the reasoning behind choices and to enable you to make anything you want.

---

Rudy,

I understand what you are saying about understanding the 'how."  I have used your tutorial to lay out a 26 3/16" board but I have no reference to check my work.  With 26 3/16" being the predominant scale length on the old Mastertones I just find it odd that there isn't a template out there for replicating this.  Without having one to measure or a template from someone I just don't know how I go about making sure what I have drawn is correct.  

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If you really need a hardcopy print of a masterclone you can get a close enough facsimile by purchasing a masterclone print from Stu-mac or Elderly.

Ladelnutts - Posted - 05/09/2014:  08:51:56

Ken,
Good to know. I was told it was 26 3/16".