Fingerboard Making Course
The best way to master the art of fingerboard making is through expert guidance.
Follow our concise 20-minute video lessons, step by step, to bring your fingerboard creation to life. Master Edgar Russ meticulously guides you through each stage of crafting a fingerboard, starting from the flat underside and progressing through planing the edges, squaring the ends to the underside, and finally, planing the flanks and marking the height of the flanks.
Learn the precise techniques and tools required for each phase of fingerboard production. Master Edgar Russ shares invaluable insights, addressing potential challenges and offering tips to ensure your fingerboard-making journey is successful.
With dedicated practice, what may take hours for an expert can become a reality for you within a week.
You'll take pride in crafting your own fingerboard from start to finish.
Enjoy the course!
Preparing the Fingerboard Blank
In this initial phase, you will learn the essential steps of preparing the fingerboard blank for shaping. Begin by selecting high-quality wood suitable for fingerboard construction. Explore techniques for flattening the underside of the fingerboard blank, ensuring a smooth and even surface to work on. Learn how to assess wood grain and orientation to optimize the stability and aesthetics of the fingerboard.
Shaping and Squaring
This phase focuses on shaping the edges of the fingerboard and squaring the ends to the underside. Delve into the detailed techniques of using hand planes and other tools to achieve precise edge profiles and perfect alignment with the underside of the fingerboard. Learn how to maintain consistent thickness and curvature along the length of the fingerboard, crucial for optimal playability and aesthetics.
Planing the Flanks and Marking Heights
In the final stage of the course, refine the fingerboard by planing the flanks and marking the heights. Master the art of planing the flanks to achieve uniform thickness and smooth contours. Gain insights into techniques for achieving symmetrical heights and smooth transitions across the fingerboard surface.