Masel
Oud Junkie
Posts: 367
Registered: 6-18-2006
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sanding the fretboard
hello, the end of the fretboard of my oud (next to the sound hole) is a little higher than the rest, which cuts off some notes (especially high on the
neck) with an annoying "tak" sound. I can see exactly where the problem is, i just want to ask how to proceed.
i covered the oud with newspaper and paper-tape to make sure the ebony dust wont stain the face. what else? which grain sanding paper should I use?
thank you
yaniv
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fernandraynaud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1865
Registered: 7-25-2009
Location: San Francisco, California
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Mood: m'Oudy
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OK, nobody else will tackle this one? Are you sure the problem is the ebony fretboard, and not the soundboard rising? Unless the fingerboard is
clearly protruding, this would be professionally handled by a luthier attempting to drop the fingerboard-soundboard complex, e.g. heating the face and
bracing and applying pressure or blows until it submits, and STAYS there, or until you hear one of several possible very loud noises. Or you could
move and wait for a change in climate to do it for you (that worked for me).
Given your adventurous leanings, you probably don't want to do it so professionally, or wait, and don't care if your fingerboard looks a bit like a
sub-Saharan shovel. I assume you've done some surveying and know how far down you have to go. Cover yourself with newspaper, put on some goggles, a
respirator, and get to work. Keep a little vacuum handy and use it often, like at the dentist, lest the dust turn your cat or carpet a different
color. You can start with a file/rasp, then work through the grades: 200, 400, 600 on a sanding block until it's smooth, and you have some reason to
believe it will no longer make the "tak" sound. Those little Sanding Sponges are nice because they replace the sanding block; get a medium and a fine,
plus some 600 sandpaper. You might use one old string, or a piece of wire, as a level and reference by running it from the bridge to the nut, like a
regular string. Even though you won't be playing Rast this high up for some time, don't sand the soundboard and try to make your modification level so
people don't ask you what on earth happened to your oud. Don't sand too deep or the beveled edge could cause injury. Polish with 0000 steel wool or
beat it with a brick, whichever it takes to match the texture of the fretboard portion that does not go "tak". Reinstall strings and try it out.
G'luck!
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Mehran
Oud Junkie
Posts: 210
Registered: 4-27-2006
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Do you have any pictures so maybe we could see what your describing? Thanks
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Dr. Oud
Oud Junkie
Posts: 1370
Registered: 12-18-2002
Location: Sacramento, CA, USA
Member Is Offline
Mood: better than before
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NEVER try to heat and bend or apply pressure or blows to the face to align the strings.
Sand the fingerboard with a flat sanding block longer than the fingerboard, do not use sponges. Sponges will make your fingerboard cupped, only adding
to your problem.
Do not beat the fingerboard with a brick.
The problem could be the neck angle, this usually requires a professional luthier to adjust it.
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