Curved frets into a flat fretboard - can I do it? - Build a Cigar Box Guitar 101

Curved frets into a flat fretboard - can I do it?

Posted by Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw on October 13, 2011 at 2:46pm

Well, its a while since I asked a silly question so here's another one. I can't find this topic anywhere but I bet it has been asked before. If so I apologise.

I have fretted my last few instruments and manage to get slots that allow the wire to be pushed in good and tight without glue, but up to this point I have used fret wire that comes in small straight lengths.

I want to buy fret wire from a UK supplier (due to cost) and want to buy in moderate quantities (5 to 20 metres). All the wire that I see sold in these lengths is coiled. Does anyone have experience of fretting flat fretboards with this sort of wire?

Your help would be much appreciated.

All the best.

John

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Replies

Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw December 1, 2011 at 9:30am

Hi.

Thanks all for the info. In fact in the end I ordered straight fret wire from Ben, which is that same as I had already used previously. Funnily enough, comparing the cost of wire I could buy here and what Ben was sending from the USA there was almost no difference in price (taking the size of the wire and amount purchased into consideration). What swayed it was that I had already used this wire and it also means that I can use up the last bits that I already had. As they say, "better the devil fret wire you know".

Th idea of intentional over-bending is an interesting one though. Something to think about.

Thanks.
Charlotte Henry December 1, 2011 at 8:56am

I worked with a luthier back in the '90s and the input I got from Al Smith, the luthier I worked for was that having bent fret wire actually helped the ends stay down. Even if Al was fretting a radiused fret board he would use a tighter radius on bending the fret wire than the radius on the fret board, i.e. 12-14 inch radius on fret wire to a fret board with a 16 inch radius.
dip ben-ari candelero October 27, 2011 at 10:01pm

hello friend, i´m amater, of guitar prospect constrictor ,, sorry for mi english no very good, your cuestion have 1 reply: the aloy of metals. bronze with nickel is more smooth, and stainless steel, in this is the secret, my a sad experience, is te pracctice more frets, check in the guitar suplies, friend. ciao
Tony Davies October 18, 2011 at 6:53am

The coiled wire once cut you can straighten
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw October 14, 2011 at 2:55pm

Hi Ben.

I didn't know that they worked in reverse. Very useful info. Thanks for mentioning that.

All the best.

John
Roosterman October 14, 2011 at 1:46pm

.... or buy a fretwire bender (they work in reverse too ie they straighten as well as bend) and take the guess work out of it!
Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 14, 2011 at 1:26pm

Ellwood, due to some other instances whereby someone else took an idea of mine and is now selling it online as part of their product line, I would rather send it to you via email. I will gladly share the plans and ideas, but on the condition that it NOT be reproduced for commercial purposes.

-WY
- Roger Franklin Weston > Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates November 5, 2012 at 6:42pm
  
  Hi, I am contemplating using curved fretwire on a flat fretboard too. Any chance of revealing your idea. I'm tool long in the tooth for any jiggery pokery.
  
  Rog
Roadkill a.k.a. John Maw October 14, 2011 at 1:11pm

Hi David.

Thanks. There are some useful links there. I had a look at the Tonetech site. I noticed that gold fret wire is a bit more that £1 more (for 20 metres) than the nickel and is harder but not as hard as stainless. This looks like a good deal I think. Any oppinions about using gold wire?

Hi Wes.

Thanks. I will contact you through the personal messages with my email address, which is also on my new website (the one I mentioned in a blog post today, plug, plug) which is www.roadkillmusic.co.uk.

Thanks again and all the best.

John
Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates October 14, 2011 at 11:32am

John, here is a sketch (google Sketchup) of a fret press idea I have. If you want, I will send you the sketchup file.

-WY