# Fingerboard

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{{short description|String instrument part}}
{{other uses}}
right|thumb|100px|Fretted classical guitar fingerboard
right|thumb|100px|Fretless violin fingerboard
The '''fingerboard''' (also known as a '''fretboard''' on [fret](/source/fret)ted instruments) is an important component of most [stringed instrument](/source/stringed_instrument)s. It is a thin, long strip of material, usually wood, that is [laminated](/source/Lamination) to the front of the [neck](/source/neck_(music)) of an instrument. The strings run over the fingerboard, between the [nut](/source/nut_(music)) and [bridge](/source/bridge_(instrument)). To play the instrument, a musician presses strings down to the fingerboard to change the vibrating length, changing the [pitch](/source/Pitch_(music)).  This is called ''[stopping](/source/fingering_(music))'' the strings. Depending on the instrument and the style of music, the musician may pluck, strum or bow one or more strings with the hand that is not fretting the notes. On some instruments, notes can be sounded by the fretting hand alone, such as with [hammer on](/source/hammer_on)s, an [electric guitar](/source/electric_guitar) technique.

The word "fingerboard" in other languages sometimes occurs in musical directions. In particular, the direction ''sul tasto'' (Ital., also ''sulla tastiera'', Fr. ''sur la touche'', G. ''am Griffbrett'') for bowed string instruments to play with the [bow](/source/bow_(music)) above the fingerboard. This reduces the prominence of upper [harmonic](/source/harmonic)s, giving a more ethereal tone.<ref>{{Cite Grove |author= |title=Sul tasto}}{{full citation needed|date=July 2020}}</ref>

== Frets ==
[[Image:trastes.jpg|thumb|150px|left|Six [strings](/source/String_(music)) [bass guitar](/source/bass_guitar) fingerboard]]

A fingerboard may be [fret](/source/fret)ted, having raised strips of hard material perpendicular to the strings, which the player presses the strings against to stop the strings. On modern guitars, frets are typically made of metal. Frets let the player stop the string consistently in the same place, which enables the musician to play notes with the correct [intonation](/source/intonation_(music)). As well, frets do not [dampen](/source/Damping) [string vibrations](/source/String_vibration) as much as fingers alone on an unfretted fingerboard. Frets may be fixed, as on a [guitar](/source/guitar) or [mandolin](/source/mandolin), or movable, as on a [lute](/source/lute). Fingerboards may also be unfretted, as they usually are on [bow](/source/bow_(music))ed instruments, where damping by the finger is of little consequence because of the sustained stimulation of the strings by the bow. Unfretted fingerboards allow a musician more control over subtle changes in pitch than fretted boards, but are generally considered harder to master.  Fingerboards may also be, though uncommon, a hybrid of these two. Such a construction is seen on the [sitar](/source/sitar), where arched frets attach at the edges of a smooth fingerboard; unfrettable strings run inside the frets, while frettable ones run outside. The fret arches are sufficiently high that the exterior strings can be fretted without the finger making contact with the interior strings.

Frets may be marked by [inlays](/source/inlay_(guitar)) to make navigating the fingerboard easier. On six-string guitars and [bass guitar](/source/bass_guitar)s, markers are typically single smallish dots on the fingerboard and on its side that indicate the 3rd, 5th, 7th and 9th frets—and the [octaves](/source/Octave) of those positions higher up the neck. A double dot or some other variation marks the 12th fret and 24th frets. Variations on the standard dot shape can make a guitar more distinctive. Position markers are sometimes made [luminescent](/source/luminescent) (through using paint, or illuminated with [light emitting diodes](/source/light_emitting_diodes)) to make them more visible on stage. Position markers are also sometimes repeated on the edge of the fingerboard for easy viewing.

Over time, strings wear frets down, which can cause buzzing and deaden the sound. Fixing this occasionally requires replacing the frets—but more often they just need "dressing". In fret dressing, a [luthier](/source/luthier) levels and polishes the frets, and crowns  (carefully rounds and shapes) the ends and edges. Stainless steel guitar frets may never need dressing, because of the density of the material.<ref>{{Cite web|last=McPartl|first=Frank|title=How to Fret Dress an Electric Guitar - &#91; Complete Fret Leveling Guide &#93; -|url=https://www.guitarrepairbench.com/electric-guitar-repairs/fret-dress/|access-date=2023-02-10|website=Guitar Repair Bench|date=February 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref> Not having frets carefully and properly aligned with the fingerboard can cause severe intonation issues and constant detuning. The ultimate way of determining the source of a buzz and detuning problem is to measure the levelness of the frets. A straightedge positioned on the neck in the "lie" of one of the strings should show nearly level frets. (There should be a slight ''[relief](/source/Relief_(music))'' to compensate for the [elliptical](/source/Ellipse) shape of the vibrating strings.)

== Materials ==
thumb|150px|left|Fingerboard made from roasted maple on a Kolibri Guitars bass guitarOn bowed string instruments, (such as [violin](/source/violin), [viola](/source/viola), [cello](/source/cello), and [double bass](/source/double_bass)), the fingerboard is usually made of [ebony](/source/ebony), [rosewood](/source/rosewood) or other [hardwood](/source/hardwood). On some [guitar](/source/guitar)s, a [maple](/source/maple) neck and fingerboard are made from one piece of wood. 

A few modern [luthier](/source/luthier)s have used lightweight, non-wood materials such as [carbon-fiber](/source/carbon-fiber), [Micarta](/source/Micarta) and [Richlite](/source/Richlite) in their fingerboards.<ref>[http://www.rivinus-instruments.com/DesignConcepts.htm#Weight...and%20conscience Luthier David Rivinus' site] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060412004129/http://www.rivinus-instruments.com/DesignConcepts.htm#Weight...and%20conscience |date=2006-04-12 }} explanation of why he doesn't use ebony fingerboards</ref>
Various impregnated wood materials are being used for fingerboards in fretted instruments.<ref>{{cite book
 |last=Mottola
 |first=R.M.
 |title=Building the Steel String Acoustic Guitar
 |chapter=3 - The Fretboard
 |date=20 October 2021
 |publisher=Amazon Digital Services LLC - Kdp
 |url=https://liutaiomottola.com/books/steel.htm
 |isbn=978-1-7341256-1-0
}}</ref>

== Parameters ==
[[Image:Fingerboard scheme.svg|thumb|250px|left|Fingerboard profile looking from [nut](/source/Nut_(instrumental)) to [bridge](/source/bridge_(instrument)). Scheme and essential parameters]]

Typically, the fingerboard is a long plank with a rectangular profile. On a guitar, [mandolin](/source/mandolin), [ukulele](/source/ukulele), or similar plucked instrument, the fingerboard appears flat and wide but may be slightly curved to form a cylindrical or conical surface of relatively large radius compared to the fingerboard width. The ''radius'' quoted in the specification of a string instrument is the [radius of curvature](/source/radius_of_curvature_(applications)) of the fingerboard at the head nut.

Most bowed string instruments use a visibly curved fingerboard, [nut](/source/nut_(instrumental)) and [bridge](/source/bridge_(instrument)) to provide [bow](/source/bow_(music)) clearance for each individual [string](/source/strings_(music)).

The length, width, thickness and [density](/source/density) of a fingerboard can affect [timbre](/source/timbre). Most fingerboards can be fully described by these parameters:

* ''w<sub>1</sub>'' — width at nut (close to the headstock)
* ''w<sub>2</sub>'' — width at half of scale length (if fretted, usually the 12th fret)
* ''h<sub>1</sub>'' — profile height (thickness) at the nut
* ''h<sub>2</sub>'' — profile height (thickness) at half of scale length
* ''r'' — radius (may be non-constant)

=== Radius ===
250px|thumb|Graphs of '''r(x)''' function for typical fingerboard profiles
Depending on values of radius ''r'' and their transition over the length of the fingerboard, all fingerboards usually fit into one of the following four categories:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
| 1
! Flat
| Both nut and bridge are flat. The strings are all in one plane, and the instrument does not have a radius (the radius is in a sense infinite).
| <math>r = \infty</math>
|-
| 2
! Cylindrical
| The fingerboard has a constant radius, and the fingerboard, the nut and the bridge all have the same nominal radius (that of the fingerboard is strictly speaking a little smaller than that of nut and bridge).
| <math>r = r_1 = r_2 = const</math>
|-
| 3
! Conical
| The fingerboard has a varying radius, usually linearly progressing from <math>r_1</math> to <math>r_2</math>. Sometimes it is also called a '''compound radius'''.<ref name="warmoth-radius">[http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Radius.aspx Guitar neck radius] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501093148/http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Radius.aspx |date=2012-05-01 }} article at Warmoth</ref> The nut and bridge are both curved but the nut radius is smaller than that of the bridge.
| <math>r(x) = r_1 + \frac{x}{l}(r_2 - r_1)</math>
|-
| 4
! Compound
| While not strictly conical, with a curved nut and linear bridge. All parts of the fingerboard have some curvature, but the fingerboard shape is not strictly a cone.
| <math>r(x) = f(x)</math>, usually <math>r(l) = \infty</math>
|}

Notes:
* <math>l</math> is a [scale](/source/scale_(string_instruments)).
* <math>x</math> designates a place on fingerboard, changes from 0 (at nut) to <math>l</math> (at bridge).
* <math>r(x)</math> describes radius depending on place on fingerboard.
* <math>f(x)</math> is a [non-linear](/source/non-linear) function.

Classical guitars, some 12-string guitars, [banjos](/source/Banjo), [dobros](/source/Dobro), [pedal steel](/source/Pedal_steel_guitar), and a few steel-stringed acoustic guitars have flat fingerboards. Almost all other guitars have at least some [curvature.](/source/Curvature) However, some recent five and six string [electric basses](/source/Bassist) have flat fingerboards.

For guitars, some players feel that smaller radii (7.25–10") are more comfortable for chord and rhythm playing, while larger radii (12"-16" and up to flat) are better for fast soloing. Conical and compound radius fingerboards try to merge both these features. The nut end of the fingerboard has a smaller radius to ease in forming chords. The bridge end of the fingerboard has a larger radius to make soloing more comfortable and prevent "noting out"<ref>[http://savartjournal.org/index.php/sj/article/view/21/pdf] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150315035305/http://savartjournal.org/index.php/sj/article/view/21/pdf|date=2015-03-15}} Mottola, R. (2014). Guitar Fretboard Camber and Action in the Context of String Bending. Savart Journal, 1(4)</ref> ("fretting out"), in which a string comes in contact with a higher fret during [bends](/source/bend_(guitar)).

''A Brief History Of Discovering The Conical Fingerboard'' in 1978 by luthier Denny Rauen can be found in American Lutherie #8/Winter 1986 and String Instrument Craftsman May/June 1988 under the title "Multi-Radius Fingerboards". 
This special radiusing is a standard on many of Denny's custom-built guitars and refret work beginning in 1978. Denny Rauen's articles on the "Multi Radius Fingerboard" are the first published documents on using a conical fingerboard to improve string bending while retaining comfortable chording.

Bowed string instruments usually have curved fingerboards, to allow the player to bow single strings. Those of the modern violin family and the double bass are strongly curved, however those of some archaic bowed instruments are flat.

=== Examples ===
{{more citations needed|section|date=May 2023}}
Examples of some instruments' fingerboard radius parameters:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Model
! ''radius''
|-
| [Fender](/source/Fender_(company)) vintage guitars
| 7.25 in (184.1&nbsp;mm)
|-
| Fender modern guitars
| 9.5 in (241&nbsp;mm)
|-
| [Gibson](/source/Gibson_Brands) electric guitars
| 12 in (305&nbsp;mm)
|-
| Gibson acoustic guitars 
| 12 in (305&nbsp;mm)
|-
| [Martin](/source/C._F._Martin_%26_Company) acoustic guitars 
| 16 in (406.4&nbsp;mm)
|-
| [Danelectro](/source/Danelectro) guitars
| 14 in (355&nbsp;mm)
|-
| [Rickenbacker](/source/Rickenbacker) guitars
| 10 in (254mm)
|-
| [Jackson](/source/Jackson_Guitars) guitars
| 16 in (406&nbsp;mm) compound
|-
| [PRS Guitars](/source/PRS_Guitars) Regular<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/faq.html |title=PRS Guitars FAQ: What are the differences between necks you offer? |access-date=2007-06-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090806041424/http://www.prsguitars.com/csc/faq.html |archive-date=2009-08-06 |url-status=dead }}</ref> 
| 10 in (254&nbsp;mm)
|-
| [Classical guitar](/source/Classical_guitar)s
| flat (no radius)
|-
| Full size (4/4) [violin](/source/violin)
| 42&nbsp;mm
|}

== Scalloping ==
[[File:Yngwie Malmsteen's Stratocaster scalloped fretboard.jpg|frame|Scalloped fingerboard of [Yngwie Malmsteen](/source/Yngwie_Malmsteen)'s [Stratocaster](/source/Stratocaster)]]

A fretted fingerboard can be '''scalloped''' by "scooping out" the wood between each of the frets to create a shallow "U" shape. The result is a playing surface wherein the players' fingers come into contact with the [strings](/source/String_(music)) only, and do not touch the fingerboard.

The process of "scalloping" a fingerboard well, if done by hand, is tedious work, usually done by careful [filing](/source/file_(tool)) of wood between the frets, and requires a large investment of time. Consequently, it is relatively expensive to have done. Generally, luthiers scallop fingerboards with a special milling machine that has 22 or 24 (according to neck dimensions and number of frets) wood cutting tools. This equipment saves time and adds precision to the process of scalloping the wood in the neck's radius the same in all fret spaces.

Scalloped fingerboards are most commonly used by [shred guitar](/source/shred_guitar)ists, most notably [Ritchie Blackmore](/source/Ritchie_Blackmore) and [Yngwie Malmsteen](/source/Yngwie_Malmsteen), who have signature models developed with [Fender](/source/Fender_Musical_Instruments_Corporation) that include scalloped fingerboards. Ibanez JEM series guitars, designed and played by [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai), come standard with the last 4 frets scalloped. In 2008 Ibanez made available their [E-Gen](/source/Ibanez_E-Gen) model, a [Herman Li](/source/Herman_Li) signature, which includes four scalloped frets (21st to 24th). [Karl Sanders](/source/Karl_Sanders) of the death metal band [Nile](/source/Nile_(band)) also uses several guitars with scalloped fingerboards, including several [Deans](/source/Dean_guitars), and KxK Guitars.

In the 1970s, English guitarist [John McLaughlin](/source/John_McLaughlin_(musician)) played with [Shakti](/source/Shakti_(band)), along with Indian violinist [L. Shankar](/source/L._Shankar), using an acoustic guitar with a fully scalloped fretboard. He also used an electric guitar with a scalloped fretboard in studio and live performances from 1978 to 1979. McLaughlin explained that this feature increased the ease and range of string bends by eliminating friction between the finger and fretboard. The scalloped fretboard also facilitates the rapid, microtonal variation that is important in Indian music, as exemplified by classical Indian [Sitar](/source/Sitar) music. Without scallops, the guitarist must play microtones by sliding the string sideways on the fret.

Experimental luthier [Yuri Landman](/source/Yuri_Landman) made an electric guitar for [John Schmersal](/source/John_Schmersal) of [Enon](/source/Enon_(band)) called the [Twister](/source/Twister_(guitar)) with a partial scalloped neck for only the thin strings (similar to small [playground slide](/source/playground_slide)s).

Some examples of lutes with scalloped fretboards include the [South India](/source/South_India)n [veena](/source/veena) and Vietnamized guitar (called ''đàn ghi-ta'', ''lục huyền cầm'', or ''[ghi-ta phím lõm](/source/Guitar_ph%C3%ADm_l%C3%B5m)''). The Japanese multi-instrumentalist and [experimental musical instrument](/source/experimental_musical_instrument) builder [Yuichi Onoue](/source/Yuichi_Onoue) has also made a deeply scalloped electric guitar for Vietnamese microtonal playing techniques.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.hypercustom.com/yuichionoue.html|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20151108182752/http://www.hypercustom.com/yuichionoue.html|url-status=dead|title=None|archivedate=November 8, 2015}}</ref>

Some types of scalloping are:<ref name="warmoth-scallop">[http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/Scalloping.aspx Scalloped Guitar Necks] article at Warmoth</ref>

* '''Partial Scalloping''', with some of the high frets scalloped for fast soloing. Popular examples include half scalloping (12th to the last fret, used by [Kiko Loureiro](/source/Kiko_Loureiro) of [Megadeth](/source/Megadeth),<ref>[http://www.espguitars.co.jp/artist/kiko_loureiro/index.html] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081029225026/http://www.espguitars.co.jp/artist/kiko_loureiro/index.html|date=October 29, 2008}}</ref> among others) or upper fret scalloping (19–24, 17–22, etc.), used by such guitarists as [Steve Vai](/source/Steve_Vai). When done by hand, sometimes fretboards can be scalloped half below the D or G strings, as in the case for Turkish luthier Kenan Turgut.
* '''Full Scalloping''', i.e., all frets from the first to the last are scalloped
* '''Extreme Scalloping''' scalloping has lateral intrusions in addition to the standard vertical hollows. The additional versatility in note control comes at the cost of substantially reduced rigidity of the neck.

Note that filing away wood to scallop a fingerboard also affects [inlays](/source/inlay_(guitar))—so intricately inlaid fingerboards are not usually good candidates for scalloping. Simple dot or block inlays survive the procedure moderately well.

=== Advantages and disadvantages ===
The "scooped out" nature of scalloped fingerboards creates a number of changes in the way the guitar plays. Most obvious is that the fingertip only contacts the string, not the fingerboard itself, creating less [friction](/source/friction) for [bends](/source/bend_(guitar)) and [vibrato](/source/vibrato)s, which results in more overall control while playing. It also results in more weight-relief and less "neck-dive".

However, one of the main disadvantages is that many players, especially new players, may find a scalloped fingerboard too different, and difficult to play easily, especially if the strings are of a lighter gauge or the player tends to press too hard. It takes practice to play in tune on a scalloped fingerboard. The player must first become accustomed to not actually touching the fingerboard. Playing a scalloped fingerboard requires a careful application of pressure: Too much pressure raises the pitch of the fretted note to a sharp note, as during a [bend](/source/bend_(guitar)), and too little pressure causes [fret buzz](/source/fret_buzz). As a result, most guitar players use a traditional fingerboard on their instruments.<ref>{{cite book
|title = Getting Great Guitar Sounds: A Non-technical Approach to Shaping Your Personal Sound
|url = https://archive.org/details/gettinggreatguit00ross
|url-access = limited
|first = Michael
|last = Ross
|publisher = Hal Leonard Corporation
|year = 1998
|isbn = 978-0-7935-9140-4
|page = [https://archive.org/details/gettinggreatguit00ross/page/n14 15]
}}</ref>

== Scoop of fretless bowed-string fingerboards ==
Fretless bowed-string fingerboards are usually scooped lengthwise in a smooth curve, so that if a straight edge is held next to the board parallel to a string, some daylight shows between them, towards the centre of the board. Usually the scoop is slightly greater on the bass side, less on the treble side of the fingerboard. Different string materials or different styles of playing may call for differing amounts of scoop. Nylon or gut strings require the most, and solid steel-core strings the least. A typical full-size (4/4) violin with synthetic-core G, D, and A strings shows 0.75&nbsp;mm of scoop under the G string, and between 0.5&nbsp;mm and zero scoop under the E, which is usually a solid steel core on modern instruments.

== Dip of guitar fretboards ==
On guitars, specifically steel-string and electric guitars, the relief (or "dip") is adjustable by altering the tension on the steel truss rod inside the neck.  Relaxing the truss rod allows the pull of the strings to increase the dip, and vice versa. Classical guitars do not need truss rods due to the lower tension of nylon strings but should still exhibit some degree of dip.

== See also ==
* [Scale length (string instruments)](/source/Scale_length_(string_instruments))
* [Bridge (instrument)](/source/Bridge_(instrument))

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

== References ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20051127021339/http://www.stringworks.com/care_maintenance.htm#fingerboard Stringworks U] brief description of fingerboard for violins, violas, & cellos
* [http://www.alangoldblatt.com/specs/Violin.pdf Violin construction detailed specification sheet by Alan Goldblatt] ([PDF](/source/Portable_Document_Format), 18KB)
* [http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/acoustic-guitar-repairs/fretboard_repair.html Fretboard Repair] article explains common fretboard problems and repairs on the [http://www.guitarrepairbench.com/ Guitar Repair Bench Luthier Website]
* [http://www.ibanez.com Ibanez website gives specific neck/fingerboard dimensions]
* [http://www.ancient-future.com/guitar/scallop.html The Scalloped Fretboard Guitar] article

{{Strings (music)}}
{{Authority control}}

Category:String instrument construction
Category:Guitar parts and accessories

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Fingerboard](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerboard) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fingerboard?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.