"We're trying out some updates for Cigar Box Nation. Here's hoping for an end to posting glitches soon!"
#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!
Alternative to fret wire?
I'm think this has been a common topic before, but I'm curious if there are any new ideas.
I'm looking for a good alternative to factory fret wire. I've seen various ideas, but none of them seem to work well. Brads and straightened wire are difficult to attach, toothpicks wear out too easy, and bone . . . well, where in the world do you get that?
Every time I've tried gluing something directly to the fret board, the frets finished slightly higher of lower than each other. Ideally then, I'm looking for something that doesn't have to be glued directly to the board. This of course is principle of fret wire, that being, a crown that covers a grove flat on the board.
I've experimented with a couple of ideas. I tried metal push pins, which are really not too different from fret wire. Perhaps that idea worked better in theory though. I also tried shooting staples into the board, and using them as frets, but my staple gun didn't want to shoot them in at the same height.
So, what ideas do y'all have for a decent alternative to fret wire?
Replies to This Discussion
-
Permalink Reply by BT Cohosh on
-
I've tried toothpicks, brass craft wire, copper electrical wire (15 amp), and stainless wire brads. My favorite is the copper wire. It's a little beefy for a standard fret (easy to fret a note sharp), but you learn to deal with it. I straighten lengths of salvaged wire by clamping one end and pulling *really* hard with lineman's pliers. I use a hand-miter saw to cut shallow grooves that the wire lays in. Incidentally, the best glue I've discovered for this is a cyanoacrylate (super glue) put out by Gorilla Glue that's rated "impact resistant"--it's been reformulated to give it some rubbery "give", so frets are less likely to pop off. I've used it on instruments I've played from mountaintops to deserts, and never lost a fret.
-
Permalink Reply by Jeremy Moorer on
-
I'm going to try Clothes hangers.
-
-
Clothes hangers. The dry cleaner types. The thinner gauge one for frets and the thicker gauge for zero fret. Install with a couple of spots of the gel superglue.
- ‹ Previous
- 1
- 2
- Next ›
The Essential Pages
Recommended Links & Resources
- CigarBoxGuitar.com - the knowledgebase of the homemade music movement.
- Cigar Box Music - How-to-Build CBGs DVDs, How to Play CBG and more!
- 3-String-Guitar.com - John "Red Dog" McNair's unique take on cigar box guitars and their history - lots of historic photos!
- The Cigar Box Guitar Manifesto - the mission statement and rallying cry for the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution.
Forum
Copper Hardware
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 11 Replies 0 Likes
Nut
Started by Bill Andy in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Taffy Evans on Sunday. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Are metal frets necessary?
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 8 Replies 1 Like
AI Search Query - Curious Answer
Started by Southern Ray in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 26. 6 Replies 0 Likes
Song lyrics for Steve's new song
Started by J. D. Woods in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by BrianQ. Apr 25. 4 Replies 0 Likes
UK - Best Place to Buy Cigar Box's
Started by Rich Butters in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Crazed Fandango Apr 22. 4 Replies 0 Likes
Busking Songs...
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by J. D. Woods Apr 17. 7 Replies 2 Likes
Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design
Started by Moritz Voegeli in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 14. 6 Replies 2 Likes
crossover guitar.
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies 3 Likes
Flat bucker under box top. Any Success?
Started by Tom T in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 9. 9 Replies 0 Likes
Has anyone tried this? Thoughts?
Started by Southern Ray in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Apr 4. 7 Replies 1 Like
just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 27. 1 Reply 2 Likes
VIDEO: Building a CBG with limited resources.
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Tune up songs
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Duel output jacks
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
No Harmonics
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Camera suggestions?
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
CBG site issues, continued.
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Blog Posts
I'll be fashionable this summer =)
Posted by Vlad on March 31, 2024 at 11:48pm 0 Comments 1 Like
Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
Latest Activity
Rainbow Stew (low budget cover on cigar box guitar) | Merle Haggard
"Ha! i need to learn this one. I remember listening to this on the AM radio in my…"
IMG_5132
"Well Sir, thank you! Not all of them yet but most of them. Made myself a pick up winder and just…"
California Dreaming: 3D Printed Cigar Box Guitar
"I agree Alan; she had some serious pipes! Glad you enjoyed this one; it was fun to learn."
CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles
Events
-
Republic of Texas CBG Festival (8th Annual)
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 Likes
-
20th Annual Cigar Box Guitar Festival (Day 1)
May 30, 2024 from 6:30pm to 10pm – The Casual Pint of Huntsville
0 Comments 0 Likes
Music
© 2024 Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.
Powered by
