Question: Suggestions on "rolling" the edges of a Tele maple neck

[GDSmithTX]

I have an ESP LTD TE-212 (it's a quasi-Fat Tele) and I dig almost everything about it except the edges of the fingerboard are a bit sharper than I would like. Most of my other guitars' necks feel rolled and I'd like this one to be like that as well.

So how would I go about doing this to the ESP? I don't want to have to redress the fret ends, etc.

 

[Honkridge]

Ok I'm not a luthier but I have rolled my own. I used a Diamond Deb fingernail file and it turned out great. I smoothed it all out with some steel wool. Go slow, take frequent breaks, and take off less than you think you need. If it is a finished maple neck you will have to do some overspray or such.



This^^ was my first try

 

[GDSmithTX]

Ok I'm not a luthier but I have rolled my own. I used a Diamond Deb fingernail file and it turned out great. I smoothed it all out with some steel wool. Go slow, take frequent breaks, and take off less than you think you need. If it is a finished maple neck you will have to do some overspray or such.



This^^ was my first try

Grazie!

 

[DinoMikeSr]

I start with screwdriver that has a round 8 or 9 inch round shaft and roll it on the corners I want taken down. Like using a rolling pin.

 

[bsman]

Both methods work. The first one (filing) will produce a better-looking result, but just flattening the corner with a screwdriver feels the same.

 

[Knox in Box]

I start with screwdriver that has a round 8 or 9 inch round shaft and roll it on the corners I want taken down. Like using a rolling pin.

I agree with DinoMikeSR

 

[DinoMikeSr]

I agree with DinoMikeSR

It’s just two different ways of doing it. I scalloped between frets of both rosewood and maple and maple was much more difficult to cut through. Depending on how much of your neck you want rounded off it may take a more aggressive approach. Either way I go very slow and if something comes up to where I feel like I’m getting in a hurry I will stop until I can relax and take my time and concentrate. Good luck.

 

[Knox in Box]

It’s just two different ways of doing it. I scalloped between frets of both rosewood and maple and maple was much more difficult to cut through. Depending on how much of your neck you want rounded off it may take a more aggressive approach. Either way I go very slow and if something comes up to where I feel like I’m getting in a hurry I will stop until I can relax and take my time and concentrate. Good luck.

I meant, that is how I do it.

 

[Wyatt]

Late to the party…

What is the fretboard? Finished maple, then probably better to roll with a screwdriver, a socket, etc. to break the edge without minimal finish damage.
File/sand is good for rosewood and other fretboard where you don’t have touch up the finish afterwards.