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First time builder, first question.

Posted by Cowboy Heart on August 22, 2015 at 8:03pm in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts

Evening from a rainy UK. As the title says, this is my first build, a 3 string slide gitty. I have a question about where to measure off my frets from. I am going old school and will be using a bolt to hold stings at the neck end, question is, where do I start measuring from to mark off the first fret? From the start, middle or end of the bolt's width?

Hope this makes sense and I can get an answer here, seems like a great community. Can't wait to share some pics and vids of my build soon.

Thanks in advance.

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Replies

  • Tom T August 22, 2015 at 9:06pm

    Sounds like a lovely day in UK.

    If I understand your question correctly, you plan to use a bolt to act as the "nut" on your three-stringer.

    306477846?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024If that is correct, then measure for your fret marks from the center of the bolt. As the photo shows. This is where the strings contact the threads. For the most accurate fret marking, measure all frets from this center point on the bolt so little errors don't stack up.

    Since this will be a slider with no frets, the placement of fret marks isn't super critical, but you might as well get into the habit of getting everything as accurate as possible.

    Good luck with your build.

    • Cowboy Heart > Tom T August 23, 2015 at 5:17am

      Thanks Tom & Darryl, that is exactly what I needed to know. Thanks for the picture and easy explanation.  I have a few things to do before I am ready for fret marking and a holiday in Wales next week. I am taking it slow and enjoying the process (even when it is frustrating because I want to play my creation).

      Thanks again for the advice.

  • darryl kernaghan August 22, 2015 at 9:03pm

    Scale length starts and finishes from where the strings last touch the nut or bridge,in the case of a bolt the centre would be it

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