This is a script to automatically generate a conical tapered guitar fingerboard using Google's free 3D design program Sketchup . If you want to save the fingerboard as a DXF or STL triangular mesh you can use the DXF & STL exporter plugin . The fret slots are not flat bottomed, but follow the radius of curvature of the fingerboard. In theory this should stop the frets from compressing the fingerboard by being hammered in too far.
To use the plugin you should download it to your Sketchup plugins folder. If you have installed Sketchup on the C: drive then this folder will be at C:\program files\google\google sketchup 6\plugins. After copying this file you should now a menu options in the Sketchup Draw menu to draw a fingerboard.
The script uses a number of parameters which you can change to your needs:
- Scale length: the distance from the nut to the bridge.
- Width at nut: the width of the fretboard at the nut end.
- Radius at nut: the radius of curvature of the fretboard at the nut end.
- Width at body: the width of the fretboard at the body end (usually wider than at the nut end in a tapered fingerboard).
- Radius at body: the radius of curvature of the fretboard at the body end (usually larger than the radius at nut in a conical fingerboard).
- Board thickness: the thickness of the fretboard at its thickest point.
- Number of frets: the number of frets required, this will affect the length of the fretboard.
- Depth of fret-cut: how deep the fret slots cut into the fretboard
- Width of fret-cut: width of the fret slots.
- Width of the nut-slot
- Depth of the nut-slot
The default values are for a Fender strat style fingerboard. This plugin has not been tested extensively, use it at your own risk. Please post in the forum about any problems or suggestions (you don't need to register to post in the forum).
The script creates a flat bottomed nut slot (like in Fender style fingerboards). To omit the nut slot set the width of nut slot parameter to zero.
You can also have the fret positions marked by single lines (perhaps more useful for a CAM program). Set the width of the fret-cut to zero. To see only the fret-cut locations go to the "Window" menu of Sketchup select Layers an make sure only the "Fret_slot" layer is visible.
To do: add inlay generator
| Attachment | Size |
|---|---|
| Conical guitar fretboard plugin for Sketchup | 7.39 KB |
Great Plugin
This is a great plugin! This is exactly what I was looking for. I just need some clarification. It asks for the width and radius at the body, but where exactly is that? Is that the very end of the fingerboard? If so, how much past the last fret is that? I'm trying to use the numbers I know for string spacing a radius at the bridge to calculate what the plugin needs
String spacing
At the very end of the fingerboard. The distance past the last fret depends on how many frets you have.
I think that using the string spacing / radius at the bridge would be more useful, I'll have a go at changing the plugin to incorporate these parameters.
I have started a forum for this plugin and this is the best place to post suggestions or bug reports.
Thanks for the useful feedback
Nathan
Scalloped fretboard
Your script is great. Have you actually used it on a cnc router?
If possible could you add a "scalloping" option?
User entries could be:
-scallop depth
-unscalloped width beside fret slot (I like 1/32")
-which frets are to be scalloped
Thanks,
I haven't used it on a CNC router yet (my router is out of action at the moment due to moving house). I am going to try it though, I will need some small router bits for the fret slots (like these ones at PreciseBits.com )
It would be possible to add scallops, I'll have a go at it (but it might take me a while!)