Fretboards
Fretboards in High-Definition – for 10- 11- and 12-string steels
My fretboards are silk-screened in high definition and are accurate. All are printed on 20-gauge vinyl and have an adhesive backing for secure bonding. Their color graphics and fret lines utilize non-glare paint, while otherwise being identical to the boards as originally provided for the brands they replace. These boards will make your guitar “sparkle” like new again. I include complete instructions in “mind-numbing” detail for replacing your old boards.
Note: The Emmons boards are designed for neck lengths of 24 ¼”. All the other boards are for 24” neck lengths. [A guitar’s neck length is measured from the center of the nut block’s rollers to the center of the bridge (typically its changer’s fulcrum head).] If a guitar has a neck length other than my replacement boards, they will not be appropriate. Why? Because if installed, the intonation of that guitar will never be accurate at any fret!
Besides the identified brands listed, they will fit most other guitars as long as that guitar’s neck width and length is compatible with the boards’ dimensions that I offer (see each listing for that board’s dimensions).
Below are the styles and specifications of each board I sell. When ordering, please follow the comprehensive installation instructions I provide. You will be required to make one cut on each board to assure its proper length, so remember, once a board is cut, it can’t be uncut! …Tom
Price: $37.00 each (for all styles). Domestic shipping included.
Emmons 10-string, white background
Width: 2 7/8” at nut end; 3 5/16” at 24th fret (7.2 cm & 8.3 cm).
Emmons 10-string, black background
Width: 2 7/8” at nut end; 3 5/16” at 24th fret (7.2 cm & 8.3 cm).
Emmons 12-string (black background only)
Width: 3 3/8” at nut end; 4 3/16” at 26th fret (8.7 cm & 10.1 cm)
Sho-Bud* 10-string, white background
Width: 2 7/8” at nut end; 3 5/16” at 24th fret (7.2 cm & 8.3 cm).
Sho-Bud* 10-string, black background
Width: 2 7/8” at nut end; 3 5/16” at 24th fret (7.2 cm & 8.3 cm).
Sho-Bud* 12-string black background only
Width: 3 ½” at nut end; 3 7/8” at 24th fret. (8.9 cm & 9.7 cm).
*About the Sho-Bud Boards: Sho-Bud fretboards are a copyrighted image and used by permission, with appropriate fees paid.
MSA 10-string boards, white background
Width: 2 13/16” at the nut end; 3 9/16 at the 24th fret (7 cm & 9 cm).
MSA 10-string boards, black background
Width: 2 13/16” at the nut end; 3 9/16 at the 24th fret (7 cm & 9 cm).
MSA 12-string boards (black background only)
Width: 3 1/8” at the nut end; 3 13/16” at 24th fret (5.8 cm & 9.6 cm).
ZB 10- or 11-string – Black Background
Width: 3” at nut end; 3 ½” at the 24th fret (7.62 cm & 8.9 cm) for 24” neck lengths. Note: If you own a ZB guitar, take a close look at your current board’s fret icons. You will likely discover that the black and red colors of those icons lack proper registry and sync. That lack of printing integrity between those two colors has been corrected on the boards I supply!
ZB 10- or 11-string Board – Cream-Colored Background
Width: 3” at nut end; 3 ½” at the 24th fret (7.62 cm & 8.9 cm) for 24” neck lengths. Note: If you own a ZB guitar, take a close look at your board’s fret icons. You will likely discover that the black and red colors of those icons lack proper registry and sync. That lack of printing integrity between those two colors has been corrected on the boards I supply.
Dekley 10-string** (black background only)
Width: 3” at the nut end; 3 5/8” at the 24th fret (7.5 cm & 9.3 cm).* See further explanation below.*
Dekley 12-string boards** (black background only)
Width: 3 7/8” at the nut end; 4 1/8” at the 24th fret (8.9 cm & 10.7 cm).
**About the Dekley Boards: The builders of Dekley guitars didn’t always cut their boards identically. Because of that, I ask purchasers of these boards to provide me with the width of the board they are replacing (measured at the nut end of their own board and again at the 24th fret). I can then provide a board that matches what is currently on your guitar. I can also provide Dekley boards with wider borders if you prefer. All Dekley fretboards are tapered. Some were cut with border margins that are much wider at the upper end than at the nut end, and therefore have borders of an inconsistent width. I can usually match that for a purchaser if they desire such a cut. It is wise not to ask for Dekley boards to be cut narrower than what exists on your guitar. Neck-fading will be revealed once the narrower board is installed, which exposure will not look pretty alongside the new board!
“Mooney”/Custom 10-String Fretboards – Black Background
Width: 2 15/16” at nut end; 3 7/16” at 26th fret (7.46 cm & 8.73 cm) Originally designed for Mooney (brand) steels, these boards should be popular with hobby-builders of pedal steels. They fit either 24” or 24 ¼” neck length instruments, since they split the difference with their fret-spacing, being calculated for 24 1/8” neck lengths. With this fret-spacing, intonation is suitable for either neck length, the difference isn’t audible at any fret, I swear!
“Mooney”/Custom 12-String Fretboards – Black Background
Width: 3 7/16” at nut end; 3 15/16” at 26th fret (8.73cm & 10 cm) Originally designed for Mooney (brand) steels, these boards should be popular with hobby-builders of pedal steels. They fit both 24” and 24 ¼” neck-length instruments, since they split the difference with their fret-spacing, being calculated for 24 1/8” neck lengths. With this fret-spacing, intonation is suitable for either neck length, the difference isn’t audible at any fret, I swear!
Installation: Comprehensive instructions for installing all the boards are provided with every order. However, if you would like to read this information before purchasing, just ask for it and I’ll e-mail it to you. …Tom
