Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on March 30, 2010 at 1:08am

Can do. in fact I've seen folks make frets out of many things -- waxed twine for instance. I think the 'ol timers (lightnin hopkins and I know Mac Arnold) made them from coat hanger wire or some wire that thick. Some make it from 12 ga copper house wire stripped to copper.

Hard part is making sure it's secure. I tried but the wire kept popping off.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on March 30, 2010 at 1:21am

An epoxy adhesive will work better than super glue. I used cotter pins for a while, and it is easier to put the glue on the fret than to try to get the glue in the slot. 3/32" pins.

I sawed a shallow slot in the fingerboard with a miter saw/box so the wire has a good nesting place.

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Permalink Reply by rockcity on March 30, 2010 at 1:48am

Large paper clips con be easily cut into frets as well..

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Permalink Reply by little eddie wolf on March 30, 2010 at 4:50am

Wes Yates said:

Can do. in fact I've seen folks make frets out of many things -- waxed twine for instance. I think the 'ol timers (lightnin hopkins and I know Mac Arnold) made them from coat hanger wire or some wire that thick. Some make it from 12 ga copper house wire stripped to copper.

Hard part is making sure it's secure. I tried but the wire kept popping off.

-WY

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Permalink Reply by little eddie wolf on March 30, 2010 at 4:54am

thanks,i'll have to try something better than crazy glue. ed

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Permalink Reply by little eddie wolf on March 30, 2010 at 4:59am

that sounds like good advice,they may be harder,and not wear out as fast. thanks. ed
rockcity said:

Large paper clips con be easily cut into frets as well..

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Permalink Reply by little eddie wolf on March 30, 2010 at 5:03am

ok, cool,i'll use epoxy ,thank you so much.ed

Diane in Chicago said:

An epoxy adhesive will work better than super glue. I used cotter pins for a while, and it is easier to put the glue on the fret than to try to get the glue in the slot. 3/32" pins.

I sawed a shallow slot in the fingerboard with a miter saw/box so the wire has a good nesting place.

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Permalink Reply by otis on March 30, 2010 at 5:05am

i use solder. it shapes easy just epoxy them down good and once its there it shapes up real nice and its harder than you'd think.

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Permalink Reply by little eddie wolf on March 30, 2010 at 5:23am

solder huh? i would think it would be to soft. thanks, ed

otis said:

i use solder. it shapes easy just epoxy them down good and once its there it shapes up real nice and its harder than you'd think.

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Permalink Reply by otis on March 30, 2010 at 5:37am

no actually once its glued down its very hard. i just cut it to length glue it and file. i make sure it straight by taking two pieces of oak neck material and basically sit one on the table and put the piece in there use the other one on top and roll it so it gets nice and straight before i install them plus its super cheap to fret alot of cbgs for less.

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Permalink Reply by David Fultz on April 1, 2010 at 9:36pm

I found finish nails the same width as the table saw blade ..pops right in..with a tight fit. Epoxy would be better than super glue I imagine but I've had no problems in the last year with the one I play(with). I used Dr. Bond brand super glue. I'm gonna try that solder too..Thanks Otis

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on April 1, 2010 at 11:12pm

Yikes! - Solder contains lead which is a neurotoxin (does very bad things to your brain and nervous system). No way should you use solder for frets. Lead free solder maybe.

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