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Topic: Options to replace fingerboard on vintage Kay (Supro/Valco)? |
Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 12:05 am |
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I just picked up this vintage Kay K155 steel. Basically, a Supro/Valco style, with string-through pickup. It plays and sounds great.......BUT.....
The black and white fingerboard is basically useless. All but impossible to differentiate which fret is which, especially in the heat of battle.
I guess I could probably get used to it eventually, but are there any replacement options out there?
Just curious. Thanks!
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 6:16 am
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| I see your point. Having a marker at each fret just makes it danged confusing! Every Valco lap steel I've owned had a 23" scale. Be sure to check yours before getting a replacement. A cheaper alternative might be to cut out different colored stickers in the shapes of the centers of the fret markers. e.g. blue circles for the 3rd and 15th frets, red triangles for the 5th and 17th frets, etc. Google "national steel guitar totem pole" to get an idea. I remember seeing that someone had made a reproduction totem pole fretboard, perhaps as a one-off but worth doing a search to see who did it. |
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Jerry Overstreet
From:
Louisville Ky
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Larry Lenhart
From:
Ponca City, Oklahoma
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 6:55 am
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Geoboards did a great job of making new fretboards for my Rickenbacker console and they were installed with double sided tape, so the originals werent damaged, altho I would never go back to them. I suggest contacting George...you wont be disappointed !
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Zum Encore, Remington D8 non pedal, Hallmark Mosrite clone, Gretsch 6120 DSW, Gretsch G5210T-P90 Electromatic Jet Two 90,1976 Ibanez L5, Eastman archtop, Taylor Dreadnaught, Telonics pedal, Squire Tele, Squire Strat, Fender Tonemaster, Gold Tone 5 string banjo, Little Wonder tenor banjo, 3 Roland cubes 30s and 80, Carvin combo bass amp |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 8:02 am Plexi fretboards
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I have made hundreds of Plexi fret boards too. Dozens with back side painting similar to the one on the photo.
These are done with Cast material designed for laser etching, etched on the back after the white color is in place.
After 2 days of dry time then we laser in the lines , markers and cut the perimeter shape.
Next after 2 more dry time days we paint the markers (very carefully) 2 more dry time days , and then an over coat of white again to seal it all up.
2-5 more dry time days , with hold down screw holes it would be ready for countersinks for the screw heads, again fees if we do that labor.
Add in 3 -- 100 mile round trips to the plastics shop for all of the various processes.
Making the sides at an angle and then polishing them to a super clear shine requires a professional labor charge at the plastics place.
Creating the taper and down holes in 1/4" material is no big issue, just more graphix fees to reverse engineer.
This level of project would require the client sending the original to us for the reverse engineering aspects.
Next Fee would involve the engineering of the markers , how many - placement - less costly if we use markers we already have in our stock.
Multiple colored markers requires more engineering fees and fees for hand painting the various markers.
To make something some what exactly the same avoiding any copyright infringements most likely would run more than the price of the lap steel cost at the yard sale.
We have other options 15 to 100 dollars that all work great and look plenty good with super accurate scales.
Always Glad To Help You.
George-io
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
YouTube Channel |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 12:17 pm
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George,
Thanks........I definitely wouldn't want to go to all the trouble described. What's the easiest option you offer? Is it just a sticker that goes over the existing plexi fingerboard? Or do I take the plexi off and apply it to the guitar itself? |
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 2:40 pm Modern fretboard
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It's not really a lot of trouble , just the many steps to get a modern version of an etched polished plexi.
We have peel n stick vinyl that you trim to fit with a utility knife.
Place it on top or remove the existing.
That is the low end of price - so long as you use one we stock. We have 23's ready for you.
People have had plexi cut locally and placed it over the vinyl. That makes it look close to the original for low investment.
Glad to explain how you can do the angled long edge at home with some easy elbow grease.
To talk specifics please email me directly outside of the forum's system.
Always Glad To Help You.
George-io
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
YouTube Channel |
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Jim Fogarty
From:
Phila, Pa, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 6:26 pm
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Thanks!
One final question, for now.
If were to unscrew that plexi and pull it off, would the fingerboard design still be on the guitar, or is it on the underside of the plexi? |
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Bill Sinclair
From:
Waynesboro, PA, USA
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 7:27 pm
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| Jim Fogarty wrote: |
Thanks!
One final question, for now.
If were to unscrew that plexi and pull it off, would the fingerboard design still be on the guitar, or is it on the underside of the plexi? |
On the Valco guitars I've owned, it was on the backside of the plexi. There's a chance that some of it will flake and stick to the guitar when you remove the fretboard. I don't think you have much choice though. I like George's idea of having a piece of plexi cut locally and using one of his fretbords beneath it. Looks like he has some nice ones available. |
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Bill Creller
From:
Saginaw, Michigan, USA (deceased)
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Posted 28 Sep 2017 11:25 pm
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I have some fret boards that I made a few years ago, on the CNC machine, but none with a 23 inch scale !!
Just 22.5 and 24.5 inch.
George can fix you up fine !
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George Piburn
From:
The Land of Enchantment New Mexico
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Posted 29 Sep 2017 5:31 am custom markers
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Most of those 50's plexi FB's I've looked at were back painted.
We can also create custom markers and for that matter any scale length.
It is a simple matter of add money and stir.
If you choose a marker we stock, lowest price, 15 bucks, if we create the graphics folks charge me , I charge you.
I have for example a 23 in stock with Fender-esk rectangles.
All local plexi shops can cut the tapered shape for you on a 1/4" thickness.
Then it is easy to polish the long sides or to angle them and polish.
Just sand them at an angle by hand and bring it out to 800 grit then hit it with plexi polish.
Our laser guy cuts the plexi and the laser polishes the edge all at the same time.
If your local plexi shop does laser etching eg; trophy work; anyone can do back painting themselves.
Sorry if this seems to turn into a sales pitch, the intent is to help folks.
_________________
GeorgeBoards S8 Non Pedal Steel Guitar Instruments
Maker of One of a Kind Works of Art that play music too.
Instructional DVDs
YouTube Channel |
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