Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted on December 13, 2016 at 4:34am

Lots of choices and preferences. I use medium/medium purchased from Ben at CB Gitty in the 1 lb tubes. Two considerations I can think of regarding fret height. First, taller fret wire can be re-leveled/dressed more times in the future. This may or may not be an issue, and depends upon the player and how much/little wear he/she makes during the lifetime of the guitar.

Second, the taller the fret wire, the more chance that fretted strings will be stretched (again, depending on the player's style/technique). The stretching of the fretted string(s) can potentially cause sharp-sounding notes.

But ultimately, carefully cut frets of any height/width shouldn't take that much more/less time when filing/dressing the ends.

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 13, 2016 at 7:44am

I was thinking about jumping down to the medium. I'm pretty sure mine are taller. As far as filing and dressing the frets when they're new, I've been pretty lucky so far and rarely have to do anything once they're installed. I take a lot of care into making sure the fretboard surface is as flat as possible, so maybe I'll do fine with thinner wire. Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 13, 2016 at 7:51am

Thanks Wayfinder! If I have the fretboard as flat as possible, would it really matter for filing/leveling the frets when new? As long as the fret heights are consistent, wouldn't it more depend on the flatness of the wood and not so much the height of the wire?

I'm not a player, but it makes perfect sense to me, now that you explained it, that a shorter fret would feel better when playing. Like I said, I'm not a player and I know I tend to press the string thinking I have to touch the wood below....now I know to avoid that. But it's gotta be easier to avoid if the wires are shorter. Thanks again!!!

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on December 13, 2016 at 5:53am

The reason you give for changing is not really relevant, any extra end dressing for the sake of a bigger section of fret wire is so miniscule that i've probably spent more on coal for electricity in replying

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 13, 2016 at 7:54am

Lol. I guess you're probably right. I've built maybe 20 or so and still consider myself very new. I have no musical experience at all, so learning to build one of these takes some learning on how they play too I think. There is always something new to learn. Thanks!!

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Permalink Reply by JL on December 14, 2016 at 1:59am

You are unlikely to notice any measurable difference in the level of effort to finish the ends.  Taller frets are more forgiving when doing a bar chord.

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on December 14, 2016 at 2:07am

My general rule is... jumbo for basses, medium for regular scale CBGs and thin for short scale builds like strummers and canjoes.

the trick is to start with a super flat fretboard, then you won't be spending time chasing fret buzzing and leveling frets.

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 15, 2016 at 4:28am

In my last couple of builds, when I glue the fretboard to the neck, I clamp it all together on a nice aluminum level. It makes the neck super flat. I had no issues with buzzing whatsoever

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 15, 2016 at 4:25am

Thanks guys!

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Permalink Reply by Uncle John on December 18, 2016 at 3:43am

For short scales (ukes, mandolins)  use smaller fret wire.   If you do not do this, fretting the a taller fret on a short scale will pull the note (and chord) sharper or just plain off.    (As Scott aka Farmer Ted said).

I like mediums for CBGs and in general.  

Jumbos are dandy for long scales. 

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 21, 2016 at 7:03am

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on December 23, 2016 at 9:40am

I tend to like the tall and wide Jumbo wire, but it can be an issue at the higher frets being closer together. Don't have that problem with the thin/tall wire or the medium wire.

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