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Loose fret wire

I'm wondering if anyone has had the same problem I'm having. I'm working on my second batch of bulk fret wire from CB Gitty. The first wire was the medium/high wire. I used it all up and I decided to try the medium/medium. I wanted something a little smaller. I had no trouble with the medium/high. They went right into the slots and fit tight enough that I needed no glue. I've used the medium/medium on 4 guitars so far. After I install them, I'm noticing they are loose so I have to pull them out and use some super glue in the slots. I measured the tang thickness of each wire, including the triangle shaped barbs. The medium/high measures .036" thick and the medium/medium measures .030" thick. The extra .006" seems to be the difference between using glue or not. Is the thicknesses supposed to be the same on all wire sizes? Im also wondering if I do not pull them out and glue them, will they tighten up once the strings have tension on them. I'm guessing they will tighten towards the center of the neck, but not so much on the ends.

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Permalink Reply by Angry Rooster Guitars on December 29, 2017 at 2:38pm

I can see how that would work to hold the ends down tighter, but the center may not be tighter.....but it may not matter if the ends are tight. I've seen a similar method before. The frets were cut to length. When they are installed, the are offset and extend off of the edge of the fretboard by roughly 1/16". Then you tap them in from the side to make them flush with the fretboard edge. Basically the barbs create a downward slot and then to the left or right to create an "L" shape slot. In theory, there will be no missing wood above the barbs and they should hold the wire down tightly.

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Permalink Reply by Milt Haselmire on December 29, 2017 at 2:59pm

I use a block of hardwood and the nearest hammer to drive frets. If the outside edges are started straight the center goes down easily. Just keep hammering (within reason) . Keep going until the fret is seated.