-
1930s Gibson L-7 Fretboard Radius 9.5″ vs 12″
I’m refretting an all-original Gibson L-7 from 1934, and it has a 9.5″ or so fretboard radius. However, the bridge, also original, has a 12″ radius. I need to flatten the board, as it has a hump at the tenth, but I’m wondering if I go with the 9.5″ radius, or try and get it to 12″. I’m a little worried about sanding through the Nick Lucas style inlays, so I’d like some input here. If I kept the 9.5″ radius, I’d likely have to radius the bridge to closer to 9.5″ than the 12″ it is. Any thoughts on this?
-
2 Replies
-
It’s probably going to make sense to keep the 9.5 radius. You’d definitely have to pull the inlays to modify the radius that much in the middle of the board and that would really suck with those inlays. One thing you might do to is toss the bridge top in the case an manufacture a new one to the 9.5 radius. This will keep your street cred with the sacred keepers of the eternal flame of originality on factory built racket makers.
-
Ian, that is the response I needed! That was going to be my plan, and having you chime in made my day. Thank you so much for your input!
-
Log in to reply.