Removing a titebonded fretboard

[Dave Bagwill]

Any way to do that without ruining anything?

[Kevin in California]

Hot iron, hot putty knife carefully inserted?

[Dave Bagwill]

That's what I'm thinking. It is easy to curl that fretboard though.

[dave d]

I used an iron set on low, right on the frets. Applied heat long enough to insert a putty knife between the neck and FB, and then slowly inched my way up the neck, using two knives. Took about 30-45 minutes, periodically applying heat. (I now own a heat gun, so would maybe use that instead if I had to do it again) There was some curl on the FB, but I clamped it to my workbench for a day and it went flat again.

[Tim Benware]

Dave I have a special blanket for heating the FB but a bending blanket (although a little cumbersome) or the iron should work. I use this knife to remove FB's in my repair work. I've found nothing better. I start the lift with a pallet knife (same kind to remove a bridge) then insert the knife in the pic it has a thicker blade and duller edge and tends to lift the board ahead of the blade. Go slowly.

[Dave Bagwill]

Okey-dokey, will give it a try. Thanks!

[ken cierp]

I have a SS butter knife that is ground to a sharp edge to get the wedging started, the rounded point is handy for this process. Of course you have to take care not to apply too much heat -- I've found that working the board off gently yields pretty good result. For me salvaging the FB has been no better than 50/50. The trick I use, is to pry the it off using small wedges made from popsicle sticks. Of course you have to take care not to dent the neck in the process. Side bar -- this Harmony was a really cool restoration!