Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on November 5, 2016 at 11:27pm

Dave, you just use the amount of frets you need, or the amount that fits 15/17 is fine unless you want to play right up the top, and without a cut away, a typical cbg is hard to play up there anyway/ As for the nut, a very hard wood will be fine, bone, corian or steel are arguably better, but all will work, personally, i've never used wood for a nut, but i'm pretty sure it will be ok. Corian, [a synthetic bone like material] is easy to find as it's used for kitchen/bathroom cabinet tops, any local cabinet maker should have off cuts for pennies or free, it comes in a huge range of colours as well, which can be a bonus

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on November 6, 2016 at 2:09am

I just lay out the neck and fretboard so that the bridge is where I want it. Then I fret the neck with as many frets as will fit between the nut and the edge of the box. My Las Cabrillas builds have 17 frets on them. The old parlor guitars and many acoustics have the 12th fret at the body.

I use Corian for the nut. It is hard enough to hold up well, and soft enough that I can cut it with the band saw. They give away free samples at most home improvement stores.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Dave Luke on November 7, 2016 at 7:13am

I used a piece of walnut. It's not glued in place so I'll see how it works. 

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg Thompson on November 7, 2016 at 11:23am

Pretty much what others have said, what ever will fit.
As for the nut, I have used several kinds of wood from: maple, oak, Purple Heart, walnut, Paduk and all have held up quite well.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by JL on November 8, 2016 at 2:51am

I put at least  17 and up to whatever fits & looks good.  17 frets allows you to pluck out a 1st position lead/melody at the octave position, stands out over the other instruments during  a solo....

• ▶ Reply