I see certain working mandolinists with old (expensive!) Gibsons that have the fretboard extensions scooped and/or defretted. In many cases these 'boards are radiused and with larger frets installed. Is it a safe presumption that the original 'board has been removed and reserved, and a modern replacement installed? Is this a common procedure for those who wish to optimize an old instrument to meet their individual preference? It must be preferable to modifying the original fretboard in terms of the effect on the value of the instrument. I am also aware of the perceived inaccuracy of fret placement on some venerable old instruments, and corrective measures taken on original fretboards, though it seems a modern replacement 'board with precision, machine-cut slots would remedy this condition, too. I imagine, too, that a select number of restoration specialists are deemed qualified to perform this work on a 5 or 6 figure instrument. If anyone reading this has any experience with/knowledge of anything related to this situation, I would be grateful for any input. Thanks!
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