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Fret placement in relation to a bolt nut

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!

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Permalink Reply by Bad Finger (Eric) on September 5, 2013 at 11:45pm

Sure, i agree with you. I've found the jumbo wire to be useful on the zero fret. Moving the bridge/saddle height for a sufficient break angle works too. Since the break angle over the fret increases as you move toward the bridge, it isn't such a big deal from the 2nd or 3rd fret on. Same for a capo. But I found a piece of jumbo wire on the zero helps keep the action lowest and fretting 1st and 2nd fret buzz free. Just the way I've done it.

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on September 7, 2013 at 12:21pm

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!

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on September 7, 2013 at 12:19pm

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...