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Easy frets?

Ok is there a simple way to fret a cbg guitar?
Most necks I've made are about 18 to 22 inches and are thru the body of the tin. All mine are slide. thank goodness i know how to play slide.
I saw many posts here about various apps and measurements but I'm completely confused when it comes to anything but 1 inch , half inch, quarter and eighths...I see measurements like 4.567 (not exactly but just for example) etc and I'm just forget it. I don't know what that means. Is there a fret ruler that is low cost easy to understand and I could hold it up next to my plank of wood (neck) and cut slots for frets? I don't own a printer...well not ink...really frustrating. I've watched several videos and its just not clear to me. I understand the basic concept nut to bridge and subdivisions...but I really don't understand the numbers unless they are super straightforward. Feeling really dumb and frustrated and would love to make one fretted instrument. Could I just copy a guitars frets that's made already like a stratocaster and trace it into the cbg neck? Thanks for reading...

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on October 29, 2013 at 12:00pm

This may answer some of your questions:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/how-to-fret-a-neck

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Permalink Reply by turtlehead on October 29, 2013 at 12:09pm

You could just copy a factory guitar, lots of people have done that. The trick I learned pretty quick is to use metric measurements. Get a ruler that is marked in millimeters and use mm in your fret calculator. You will end up with some decimals like 112.7mm (for example) but I just eyeball those and get them as close as I can (just a hair past halfway in my example)

I use the Stew Mac fret calculator. This will give 2 sets of measurements, one set from the nut to each fret and one set from fret to fret. Always measure and mark from the nut to each fret. Do not measure from one fret to the next, this will increase the chances of introducing errors.

It seems daunting at first, but after a fret board or two, it will be dead simple. Try it out on a scrap piece first if you are worried, but it's really not a big deal at all.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on October 29, 2013 at 12:24pm

this sounds good....i'll get a ruler that is marked in mm and use the stewmac calculator. nut to fret not fret to fret. honestly i dont understand how i'd locate a measurement such as 112.7mm? eyeballing sounds about right if say... i'll see if i can find and read millimeter ruler first. any place recommended to find a decent ruler? im just guessing a lowes or homedepot...dont want to invest in something i don't understand yet.. im thinking 3 strings, 12 frets, 22 inch neck (meaning nut to bridge...yes?) thank for your replies and patience.

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Permalink Reply by SlowHound on October 29, 2013 at 1:18pm

You can pick up rulers for less than $2 at any home store. Spend a few minutes with the calculator, mark them with various scale lengths and you're set.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on October 29, 2013 at 1:57pm

That's sounds good. I've been waiting because if you never done one it's fairly intimidating. Im grateful for the people on this forum.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on October 29, 2013 at 12:37pm

i just entered 22 inches on the stewmac calculator. and got my numbers... then i tried entering 22 mm and i got the same numbers...could that be right?

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Permalink Reply by turtlehead on October 29, 2013 at 12:41pm

Did you change the radio button to mm underneath where you entered the numbers?

I think my ruler came from one of those places. Maybe Micheals craft store.

Edit: You have to start with the scale length in mm. So use the measurement converter on the right to get the starting figure. 22 inches works out to 558.8 mm using this converter.

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Permalink Reply by David L. on October 29, 2013 at 12:55pm

If you have access to an iPhone or iPad check out The Phrygian Kid's app on the app store
jeFretCalc.
You put in the scale you want, number of frets and it gives an easy to follow diagram with measurements from the nut (and if you want inches it gives fractions of an inch rather than decimals).

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on October 29, 2013 at 12:57pm

thanks turtle head so let me see if i got this part right. i checked the MM box and did the conversion of scale length how you showed me. i got the same umber 558.8mm and then entered that as my scale length. now those number are my guide? so please tell me if im on the right track. from nut to 1rst fret would be 31.363mm?

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Permalink Reply by turtlehead on October 29, 2013 at 1:06pm

Now you got it!

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Permalink Reply by turtlehead on October 29, 2013 at 1:13pm

Just one more thing. You said your guitars are 22" scale length. That is a bit short compared to a factory guitar. They are usually around 24.5"-25.5" I think a Strat is 25.5" if I remember correctly. No rules here in CBG land, but that will put your frets closer together than a regular guitar. Just so you are aware...