Silvertone
Well-Known Member
Gibson has changed their scale lengths over the years. Most just call it 24.75" but very few were actually 24.75". They have used 24 5/8" (24.625"), 24 9/16" (24.563") and "rule of 18" which is a scale developed with a different algorithm to most modern scale calculations. Unfortunately, if you would like to make a replica of a late 50's early 60's Gibson that is the scale that they used. A friend of mine is building a replica of a 59 Burst for himself and I am supplying a fret board.
So where to get the individual fret spacing? I was lucky enough to hook up with Tom Bartlett, an awesome luthier, that is very knowledgeable about those guitars. I've known Tom for about 10 yrs now and work with him quite a bit whenever he needs CAD help. Tom sells construction drawings for a few different models of vintage Gibson guitars. One of which is the 59 Burst. I helped him update his drawings. These drawings have a chart and dimensions for the fret board in question, so I will start there.
Toms 59 replica drawings -
I'll take those drawings and recreate, and double check fret spacing, to create my fret board plans.
Once I confirm the dimensions and spacing. I import it into my CAM program , Fusion 360, and create the tool paths to turn the blank into a fret board.
I create five tool paths to finish the board and save them out to a memory stick. I number and name them so I cut them in the correct order and use the correct size bit.
My friend has already picked out a fret board from my stock of Madagascar rosewood boards. BTW the boards on those vintage guitars were Brazilian rosewood, which is very scarce to get these days and also very complicated to obtain paperwork to ship internationally. My friends lives in the USA so we picked out a board that looks similar in colour and grain. I do have a few Brazilian rosewood boards in my possession so I try and pickup other rosewood species with a similar look for these fret boards. Here is a pic of three fret boards. Two are Brazilian and the other is the board I will be cutting.
Once I clean off my CNC machine and get it all setup, I will be ready to cut some sweet smelling wood.
Cheers Peter.
So where to get the individual fret spacing? I was lucky enough to hook up with Tom Bartlett, an awesome luthier, that is very knowledgeable about those guitars. I've known Tom for about 10 yrs now and work with him quite a bit whenever he needs CAD help. Tom sells construction drawings for a few different models of vintage Gibson guitars. One of which is the 59 Burst. I helped him update his drawings. These drawings have a chart and dimensions for the fret board in question, so I will start there.
Toms 59 replica drawings -

I'll take those drawings and recreate, and double check fret spacing, to create my fret board plans.

Once I confirm the dimensions and spacing. I import it into my CAM program , Fusion 360, and create the tool paths to turn the blank into a fret board.

I create five tool paths to finish the board and save them out to a memory stick. I number and name them so I cut them in the correct order and use the correct size bit.

My friend has already picked out a fret board from my stock of Madagascar rosewood boards. BTW the boards on those vintage guitars were Brazilian rosewood, which is very scarce to get these days and also very complicated to obtain paperwork to ship internationally. My friends lives in the USA so we picked out a board that looks similar in colour and grain. I do have a few Brazilian rosewood boards in my possession so I try and pickup other rosewood species with a similar look for these fret boards. Here is a pic of three fret boards. Two are Brazilian and the other is the board I will be cutting.

Once I clean off my CNC machine and get it all setup, I will be ready to cut some sweet smelling wood.

Cheers Peter.