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The fingerboard extension on my baritone uke is nice and flat on the top with no visible gap anywhere. Here's some info:
12th fret at body
Carbon fiber stiffener in sepele neck
One threaded insert in butt joint heel
WRC top
My question is: Do I need to glue it down or even a small nickle size spot in the center?
I ask because after scraping off the nitro for the bridge i'm not looking forward to doing that again with the xtension.


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I don't glue mine down anymore. I used to leave it unglued until I was happy with the neck angle/action after a few weeks playing (bolt on neck). I never noticed a difference when I glued it down so I just stopped doing it

The glued fingerboard extension serves as a brace to stabilize head bock rotation so besides being a possible sound generator an unglued extension may allow more movement in the first year of life.

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It's not what you don't know that hurts you, it's what you do know that's wrong.

I'm with Terrence on this one. It's part of the neck joint and bracing system unless designed otherwise.

that's what i was thinking- unwanted vibration or rattling

I do think you need to glue it, but I don't think you need to scrape off the finish to get a really good joint.
Just tack it down to prevent rattles, if that joint is carrying any shear or tension there's something else wrong.
My opinion, others have disagreed...

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A man hears what he wants to hear, and disreguards the rest. Paul Simon

My ukes to date (11) mostly have 17 frets (12 at body), single bolt,I use just a touch of titebond under the end of the fretboard extension, enough to eliminate movement, but easy enough to get apart if need be. so far so good (I've never had to actually test the taking apart thing).

I have heard the opinion that "why use glue, isn't that the point of a bolt on neck?". With the low tension of a ukulele, it should be enough, and there shouldn't be any movement if its done right, I think that might be the opinion of those with shorter fretboard extensions, though. I use a drop or two, I think that there is the potential for buzz issues with the longer fretboard extensions probably anything over a few frets but I have never tested that. I plan on doing some sopranos with shorter fretboard extensions, for those I probably wont use any glue and see how it goes.

another note, I don't use any kind of upper transverse for my sopranos

As an acoustic guitar player who occasionally grabs notes above the 14th fret, I can tell you that if the extension is floating the notes above the body join will be dead. May not be an issue for a uke since I don't play those so I wouldn't know.

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Steve Smith
"Music is what feelings sound like"

Thanks to all for the suggestions, I think I will glue it down. I am concerned about possible rotation and other bad stuff happening so I will do a partial glue down.

I just rout a 1/4 channel around the edge, just inside where the tongue will sit. If you make a template the exact size of the FB tongue, the router collet will keep things where they need to be. I leave the finish on the centre area.