Fretboard Dropoff When Refretting

[TKW]

I’m doing my first fret job on a Yamaha FG-260 12 string.  I reset the neck a few years ago and now am going to refret it and replace the nut.  I am following the instructions on frets.com.

 

My question concerns sanding the fingerboard to create the 12th fret to last fret fall off.  I think I understand the purpose and how to do it.  But I’m not sure I understand what to do when leveling the new frets after they are installed. 

The instructions say “The drop-off over the body remains the same as I level the fret tops.”  But should I then re-angle the plane to level the 13th to 20th frets?  Or leave them alone?  Is the string angle on those frets high enough that minor differences don’t affect the play-ability?

 

Thank you for any advice!

 

[Glen H]

If you have the fret board fall away established without frets and you're happy with it, it should remain the same with frets installed. And with the fall off, require very little to no leveling, above the extension. It's not level anymore, right?  Remember, it's a 12 string. Really tough to play up in that area anyway.  Good luck.

[TKW]

Thank you for the information!  Unfortunately I do play up to the 17th fret.

The way I did the fingerboard was to have a flat surface from fret 1 to 12, then another flat surface (at a slightly different angle) as the fall-off from fret 13-20. I plan to then level any small inconsistencies introduced in the 1-12 surface when the frets are installed by milling the tops of the frets level. 

So I guess I thought why not do that for the 13-20 fret surface?  Or maybe it isn't necessary for some reason?

[Hesh Breakstone]

We use leveling beams a long one for frets 1 through 12 and a short one for 12 through the last.

Put a piece of masking tape on the last 1" of the leveling beam right over the abrasive paper and then use that beam keeping the masking tape approximately over the 12th fret area.  This very so slightly angles the 12th through the last downward and creates fall-away in either the board or the fret tops if only doing a level, crown and polish.

As Glen said if you are leveling the board the fall-away that you create in the board will be present in the frets too provided that they are all fully seated and secured.

I don't think that this could be done with a plane but it's how we do it with leveling beams.  The plane could be used as a leveling beam as well if you have one 6 - 8" or so and want to put some abrasive paper and tape on it for now.

Good on you too for inducing fall-away on a 12.  Since 12's really benefit from low action fall-away will help get you there.

[TKW]

Thank you!  I appreciate your advice and help. 

I'll try your method with a smaller plane or leveling tool of some kind.  Hopefully it will work out such that it will allow for low action.

[Hesh Breakstone]

Cool.  Let me know if I can be of assistance.