Hi folks. So I've built two 3-string box guitars so far and I've used a bolt as the nut both times. But each time I used nails as the frets and just glued them down after putting on the strings. This way I could use a guitar tuner to run the nails up the neck, mark their proper placement, and then super-glue them down.
I'd like to try frets on my next build and still use a bolt-nut (because their cheap/easy/and I like the look of them). I see a lot of people doing this and I want to know: how do you properly place the bolt so that the frets are the proper distance?
Do you find the diameter of the bolt and halve that to find the point at which the string sits? Or do the strings not sit center? I'm sure I'm putting too much thought into it and it'll be some super easy fix, because that's what I do.
Anyway, any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated!
Replies
centralise on fret one/nut position as far as I am aware...
you could try bugs easy frets, thick super glue and wide split pins for frets.( Break in half at loop with cutters).. but they are a bitch to grind down so cut them well at an angle!
But In fact normal fretting may just be easier...
Let's say you shoot this thing completely off and you're 2mm out of whack on your nut placement. It is really only going to matter on the open note and even that can be remedied by moving the bridge slightly. If you know you are shooting for a 25" or whatever scale then that will determine the fret spacing from 1-2, 2-3 and so on. Once you fret a string then the nut is taken out of the equation on that string. So it is best to ensure your frets are placed accurately, your 1st fret should be pretty close to accurate on with the nut, but you use that one so infrequently (I'll bet) that you could almost leave it off.
The zero fret suggested is popular, but you have to be sure you get a piece of jumbo wire or otherwise ensure the strings won't buzz due to the action being too low over the rest of the line.
Your idea to breadboard it with a single string and narrow neck is a good one. Keep your action fairly low overall so the string deflection doesn't create too much additional tension and pulling the notes sharp.
Have fun. There's no pressure to get it exactly, perfectly, dead-nuts right the first time.
Sure you gotta get a string ringing clear off it without fouling on subsequent frets. Just as you do on every fret on the entire neck, regardless if you did a zero fret or not
Mate make a one string neck to try things out if you like, or don't and just go for it. Frets are cheap.
yup jumbo on first and smaller frets for rest can be done as a nut..works but you need string tees to hold down strings tight..or I do!
That's what I love about this place! All the great ideas and helpful peeps.
I think I'll give my first try with a single string. Thin neck will save on the fret wire if it totally goes belly-up.
I'll be sure to let CBN know how it goes!
halve the width of the bolt and use that as a fixed point to the first fret and you'll not go wrong (-:
make sure you get the height of the bolt right with frets also...i usually get the bolt set in at the top of the fret board then measure the frets down from the said centre line of the bolt..
Same for me I just use a fret calculator, printed it out and mark the frets from the nut all the way up the neck. I started using bone and plastic for the bridge but went back to bolts as I like the sound and the look of them. I never have a fixed bridge if I can help it so that I can slightly adjust it if the intonation is a little bit off.
Thanks so much folks. This is insanely helpful.
Can't wait to give it a try!
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