Cigar Box Nation2024-03-29T06:44:09ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFredhttps://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/364652407?profile=RESIZE_48X48&width=48&height=48&crop=1%3A1https://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/scalelengthsetc/forum/topic/listForContributor?user=354986bzmqo82&feed=yes&xn_auth=noNational/Valco 25”/635mm Scale Lap Steel Fret Template in Standard & Metrictag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2020-07-31:2592684:Topic:35308522020-07-31T19:12:11.523ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Standard </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167709690?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167709690?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Metric…</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167691491?profile=original" rel="noopener" target="_blank"><img class="align-full" src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167691491?profile=RESIZE_710x"></img></a></span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Standard </span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167709690?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167709690?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p>
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<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;">Metric</span></p>
<p><span style="font-size: 18pt;"><a href="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167691491?profile=original" target="_blank" rel="noopener"><img src="https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/7167691491?profile=RESIZE_710x" class="align-full"/></a></span></p> Fret templatetag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2013-07-11:2592684:Topic:16375642013-07-11T00:05:16.864ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
I was reading where people on here would take the measurements off of stewmac and input them into their program and printout a template to tape or transfer their pattern to the fret board....anyway my question is I see a lot of people using windows, but I'm using a Mac is their a program that will do this for that system.
I was reading where people on here would take the measurements off of stewmac and input them into their program and printout a template to tape or transfer their pattern to the fret board....anyway my question is I see a lot of people using windows, but I'm using a Mac is their a program that will do this for that system. String gauge for 20" - GDGtag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2013-07-09:2592684:Topic:16356392013-07-09T11:56:05.581ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>Hey all!! Just found this area!!!<br/>I have built a 20" scale CBG for my grandson - I want to tune it GDG, that same as what I play. What gauge strings should I be using? I tried 36, 26 and 17 but it sounds wonky. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanx</p>
<p>Hey all!! Just found this area!!!<br/>I have built a 20" scale CBG for my grandson - I want to tune it GDG, that same as what I play. What gauge strings should I be using? I tried 36, 26 and 17 but it sounds wonky. Can anybody point me in the right direction? Thanx</p> Cura saz scale lengthtag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2013-05-23:2592684:Topic:15755442013-05-23T00:03:03.138ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
Im going to build a cura saz cbg and Im wondering if anyone has input? I'm thinking 18 in.scale length ,14 frets plus quarter tones..for fret spacing.. Any ideas?
Im going to build a cura saz cbg and Im wondering if anyone has input? I'm thinking 18 in.scale length ,14 frets plus quarter tones..for fret spacing.. Any ideas? fretfindtag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2013-01-04:2592684:Topic:13763072013-01-04T00:43:09.231ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>Can anyone tell me what happened to fretfind2d?</p>
<p>Can anyone tell me what happened to fretfind2d?</p> Fret marking methodtag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2012-04-25:2592684:Topic:10711212012-04-25T19:29:10.934ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>I am really new to CBG building but I have designed and built many things in my life. Thought I would share this method of marking and cutting frets that I came up with (apologies if this method is already known and used).</p>
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<p>Using the Stew-Mac calculator for data, I lay out the finger board using Microsoft Visio (any drawing program that allows you to enter numerical data will work). </p>
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<p>The next step is to print this out one-to-one on a laser printer. The heat…</p>
<p>I am really new to CBG building but I have designed and built many things in my life. Thought I would share this method of marking and cutting frets that I came up with (apologies if this method is already known and used).</p>
<p></p>
<p>Using the Stew-Mac calculator for data, I lay out the finger board using Microsoft Visio (any drawing program that allows you to enter numerical data will work). </p>
<p></p>
<p>The next step is to print this out one-to-one on a laser printer. The heat sensitive toner is important.</p>
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<p>Cut out the guide and tape it printed side down on your finger board.</p>
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<p>Press the paper with a dry iron set to the Cotton setting. This will transfer some of the toner to the wood.</p>
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<p>For cutting the frets I have found a small hobby miter box most useful (won't work for really wide finger boards).</p>
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<p>I have cut four finger boards using this method, the last two with the miter box and that tool made cut the time in half.</p>
<p>I have attached a PDF file with four Uke fret layouts.</p>
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<p><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1078463341?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1078463341?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a><a href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1078464755?profile=original" target="_self"><img width="750" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/1078464755?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024" width="750" class="align-full"/></a></p> Reverse calculationstag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2012-04-22:2592684:Topic:10677002012-04-22T14:12:11.105ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>Hi Folks</p>
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<p>anyone done any calculations in reverse?</p>
<p>I have bought a couple of used acoustic necks, which are already fretted. How do I decide the best string length for the fret spacing I have?</p>
<p>Hi Folks</p>
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<p>anyone done any calculations in reverse?</p>
<p>I have bought a couple of used acoustic necks, which are already fretted. How do I decide the best string length for the fret spacing I have?</p> Fret placement and stretch compensation - by Glenn Reithertag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2012-04-16:2592684:Topic:10607112012-04-16T21:25:18.270ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>Hi All, With Glenn Reithers permission I am reposting his thoughts on fret calculation (from a facebook conversation) here so more people can get benefit from it.</p>
<p><strong>The Readers Digest Version:</strong> <span>Use the <a href="http://windworld.com/features/tools-resources/exmis-fret-placement-calculator/#fretcalculator" target="_blank">ExMi online fret calculator</a>. It has a stretch compensation option that is perfect for high actions. I always use it. And yes, stepped bridges…</span></p>
<p>Hi All, With Glenn Reithers permission I am reposting his thoughts on fret calculation (from a facebook conversation) here so more people can get benefit from it.</p>
<p><strong>The Readers Digest Version:</strong> <span>Use the <a href="http://windworld.com/features/tools-resources/exmis-fret-placement-calculator/#fretcalculator" target="_blank">ExMi online fret calculator</a>. It has a stretch compensation option that is perfect for high actions. I always use it. And yes, stepped bridges solve a lot of issues. </span></p>
<p><span><br/></span></p>
<p><span><strong>The reasoning behind it:</strong> <span>When I say high I mean higher than what you find on a Strat, not lap steel high. My answer to your question is that it makes it more slide-friendly while still being finger friendly. And most p</span><span class="text_exposed_show">eople are building with larger tolerances than what Fender or Gibson are - it's a rustic instrument after all - so a higher action means their frets are less likely to buzz. And because cbg's aren't as loud as a big body acoustic, you tend to dig in more with the strumming hand and that might mean fret buzz especially on lighter gauge strings. Even a low action will have a stretch factor its intonation. I'd love a calculator that has an action height component. My low action action would be 2mm at the 17th fret, but that was on a double neck that had a a slide twin on a very high action so I could assume you wouldn't play slide on the low action fretted neck. The highest playable and in tune action I've done was 5.5mm at the 17th fret. Yeah, it's very high. But with the stretch compensated fretting it plays in tune nicely.</span></span></p>
<p><span>"even though you play slide, you still want to play up and down the fingerboard fretting notes and chords too" Exactly. That's why I use the ExMi calculator with stretch compensation. You want an action that is high enough to play sl</span><span class="text_exposed_show">ide without clacking on frets all the time, but not so high that that the act of clamping down on a string alters the string tension so much that it plays sharp. With a stretch compensation factor in your fret scaling you can set the action quite high and still be in tune.</span></p>
<p><span>By the way, I didn't use stretch compensation on the aforementioned low action neck. The stretch compensation would have made some notes flat.</span></p>
<p><span><span><strong>An interesting side note to this</strong>. The difference between the normal fret scale and the stretch compensated one is up to 1.5mm, which would be a huge error when cutting fret slots. That taught me to not obsess about fret scales that go to 3 decimal point. I just round to the nearest 0.5mm now.</span></span></p> Question on Scale Lengthtag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2012-04-14:2592684:Topic:10582252012-04-14T22:42:10.924ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>How do I decide the scale length? Is it whatever I want or does it depend on the CGB (measurement)?</p>
<p>Currently building my first 3 string and don't want to mess up too badly!</p>
<p>How do I decide the scale length? Is it whatever I want or does it depend on the CGB (measurement)?</p>
<p>Currently building my first 3 string and don't want to mess up too badly!</p> FIND FRET POSITIONS IN THIRTY SECONDS WITHOUT A COMPUTER OR CALCULATIONS THAT DRIVE YOU CRAZY.tag:www.cigarboxnation.com,2011-07-23:2592684:Topic:6807132011-07-23T04:17:07.910ZUncle Fredhttps://www.cigarboxnation.com/profile/UncleFred
<p>I know that good people like Stewmac have them online, but my formula allows you to have, at your fingertips, the ability to find fret positions for any scale length for any instrument, be it a uke or a giant Mexican guitar, instantly. All you will need is a simple, cheap calculator. A friend of mine gave me this formula a few years ago but it wasn’t exactly accurate. So I tinkered with it for a couple of hours until it was as perfect as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just to prove that it works…</p>
<p>I know that good people like Stewmac have them online, but my formula allows you to have, at your fingertips, the ability to find fret positions for any scale length for any instrument, be it a uke or a giant Mexican guitar, instantly. All you will need is a simple, cheap calculator. A friend of mine gave me this formula a few years ago but it wasn’t exactly accurate. So I tinkered with it for a couple of hours until it was as perfect as possible.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Just to prove that it works perfectly lets use 600mm as the scale length (nut to bridge). The scale length can be as long or short as you care to make it. By using 600mm it will be easy to see that at the 12<sup>th</sup> fret the distance should be half of the scale length (300mm), and at the 24<sup>th</sup> fret a quarter (150mm) thus proving the formula.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Lets enter 0.943878 x 600</p>
<p>Now press = once</p>
<p>We get 566.3268</p>
<p>This is the distance from the bridge to the 1<sup>st</sup> fret.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Press = once again and we get 534.5434</p>
<p>This is the distance from the bridge to the 2<sup>nd</sup> fret.</p>
<p>Press = once again for the 3<sup>rd</sup> fret and so on.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>When you get to the 12<sup>th</sup> fret it should read 300.01402 (octave).</p>
<p>Keep going to the second octave (24<sup>th</sup> fret) and we get 150.01399 thus proving that the formula is accurate for our purposes. Only use 2 digits after the decimal point, ignore the rest that follow as they are too small to be relevant.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Now here’s an interesting thing I discovered quite by chance. I wanted to turn metal slugs on the lathe to the sizes of the spaces between the frets so that I could line them all up in a slot cut in a piece of flat board, and clamped to my pull-saw. Then cut each fret taking away one slug at a time until I had a perfectly cut fingerboard. The way to find these sizes leapt off the page at me – EUREKA!</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Put in our formula again as before 0.943878 x 600.</p>
<p>Now press = 10 times and we get 336.75</p>
<p>Move the decimal point one place to the left and we get 33.67</p>
<p>This is the distance from the nut to the 1<sup>st</sup> fret.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Press = once and we get 317.85</p>
<p>Move decimal point again (once to the left) and we get 31.78 which is the distance between 1<sup>st</sup> and 2<sup>nd</sup> frets.</p>
<p>Keep pressing = until all distances between frets are found.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>You can use wooden dowel for the distance pieces. All you will need is a drop-saw, lots of dowel and lots of patience. It helps to use a digital vernier.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>I hope this is of use to you. Have fun! John Stax</p>
<p> </p>
<p>P.S. Write down the formula in a few places that you can locate when needed. JS.</p>