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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on September 6, 2017 at 12:03pm

Hi, as a guide you could say that the smaller size wire would suit smaller sized instruments and necks. So small wire better suits mandolin, uke, banjo. Getting to full size guitars its a matter of player/maker preference and go from thin acoustic to large  jumbo electric guitar or bass.

A note to remember is the higher the fret off the fingerboard, as in jumbo, the more chance of bending/stretching the strings out of tune whilst playing or capoing, a softer technique may be required. I'd would go for fret wire suited to a banjo neck for a three stringer, but really whatever you feel comfortable with.

Cheers Taff

  

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Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on September 6, 2017 at 10:05pm

Very interesting Taffy and very helpful, I'm not one that is much for string bending whilst playing. I tend to use a Slide for such effects.

I intend to make use of the open G tuning and using it mainly as a rhythm instrument to strum out chords.

I think you are right though, Wire suited to banjo necks may be the best way to go.

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Permalink Reply by JL on September 7, 2017 at 5:24am

When you use frets you need to be able to adjust/change/correct the string height at both the nut and the bridge, getting it close enough you don't bagel-slice your fingers trying to press a string all the way down, but just far enough the strings  don't buzz against the frets.

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