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My brother and I are both building first guitars. He, an experienced furniture maker, is the first to try everything, and I rely on him to teach me the basics and warn me of impending doom. I have played the instrument for many years and provide the practical knowledge ("yep, that looks like a guitar!").

His neck looks perfect in most every way. When he showed it to the local guitar store, cripple creek music in Ashland, they wanted his name and number in case any customers need a custom neck made! But one thing disturbs me: That part of the fingerboard that extends over the soundboard, unsupported by the mahogany neck, has bent downward a bit from the wedging action of fret tangs. I am troubled by this droopy fretboard. Were we s'pose to do something to avoid this? We built a supporting block as shown in Cumpiano, but otherwise just pounded in the frets, which were stewmac #155 wire.

Bent in Ashland (Mark LaCoste)

It is not uncommon . I will bend back the fretboard most of the time with a clamp and a wedge on the ends this I will clamp over night to help the barbs set. I am starting to set the fret slots a few thousandths wider or use a .0185 tang on the extension .

The finger-board extension having a slight downward bow is a good thing since it will compress against the neck block, Popsicle brace and shoulder brace in other words, when mated with the body it will flatten out -- not a real concern, as a matter of fact this slight bow is a built in design feature of our KMG Guitar kits. The real concern is whether or not the neck plane (the surface the finger-board is glued to ) is a straight line as it continues across the sound-board --

the requirements and details are covered thoroughly here:

http://www.kennethmichaelguitars.com/neckangle.html

Seems like this may be helpful for you and your brother

Ken, I'll be reviewing the information you've provided with great interest, as will my brother. Meanwhile, since I haven't installed my own frets yet, I'll consider John's words. I could still order some fret wire... but next time, for sure, I'll be better prepared!

As always, thank you so much.