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| Author: | Terence Kennedy [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:32 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Fretwire Size |
For the last 10 years I've been pretty much using the StewMac Medium or similar for new instruments. +/- .084 width .039 crown. I've played and refretted guitars with bigger frets and never noticed an enormous difference in playability. There was a thread on the acoustic guitar forum recently about how many players preferred wider higher frets because it was easier to play the instrument. What size fretwire do you guys usually use on an acoustic flat top and why? |
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| Author: | doncaparker [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 4:49 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Medium width, maximum height. This is what feels best to me, and it leaves some room for future fret dressings. |
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| Author: | Ken Jones [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 5:07 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
I prefer the feel of low frets on acoustic, so I just use the medium width, medium height fret wire. On electrics, I like jumbo frets because I like to get my fingers under the adjacent strings when I'm bending. Ken Jones Mountain Song Guitars |
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| Author: | Haans [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:06 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
I use what you use Terry. Think mine are .080". Recently, I had to fret Dave Hull's GC-6 guitar with .110 x.060".  As I didn't care to carry a pound of that stuff, he bought a pack of frets. Had to bend them by hand as they were too short to go through the bender. Added about 6 hrs to the fret job... |
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| Author: | Jfurry [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 6:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Evo is what I prefer. Jumbo all the way. |
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| Author: | ChuckB [ Fri Oct 10, 2014 8:25 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Terry, I've been using Jescar .080 width and .043 crown height. Pretty much what you are using. Chuck |
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| Author: | David Collins [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 12:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
I know a lot of players can be quite picky about their fret wire size - guess I'm not one of them. Maybe it's because the majority of my playing time is spent on every variety of everyone's instruments but my own, but my preferences have turned to "I really couldn't care less". Yeah, there are differences, but a few seconds with an instrument in my hands and I guess I acclimate myself to it's nuances without much thought and move on. .030"-.060" height, .040"-.120" width - if they're dressed well I find myself not bothered by any, with hardly any preference to speak of. Perhaps it's the left hand touch as well. I've strived to develop a left hand style of no more pressure than necessary, so once the strings touch the frets it matters quite little what shape or space is left beneath them. If you have a heavier left hand grip then it may matter more, but which way those preferences may lean can be as individual as any other preference between players. |
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| Author: | Michael.N. [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:29 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Be careful of that left hand technique Mr. Collins. With it you won't be fussing about a 0.2 mm higher action change either. |
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| Author: | David Collins [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:01 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Oh no - the lighter the touch, the more critical every thousandth of action becomes. |
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| Author: | Michael.N. [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 10:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
I'll have to disagree. Once that economy of movement, the 'effortless' playing is achieved even high actions don't feel that difficult. The left hand starts to feel like a 10 ton clamp. That's been my experience anyway. |
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| Author: | Lonnie J Barber [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 11:10 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
I just bought two pounds of large fret wire from eBay. Must say I found it to be rather soft as it bends super easily. Nothing like the medium that I get from Stewmac. I like the size but I think they will wear out super quick. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | murrmac [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 11:13 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Fret height does become significant if you are playing barre chords in the lower frets . . . it's the flesh of the fingers which touch the fretboard, after all, not the strings (unless you are playing with really light gauge strings and a heavy touch) , but for .012 -.053" and heavier, the flesh hits the board before the strings. The corollary is that unless you have skeletal fingers (and some people may) it is far easier to do barre chords in the lower positions when the fret heights are .045" and upwards, irrespective of how well set up the instrument is. This is true for steel strings, things may be different with a classical guitar. |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:20 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Lonnie J Barber wrote: I just bought two pounds of large fret wire from eBay. Must say I found it to be rather soft as it bends super easily. Nothing like the medium that I get from Stewmac. I like the size but I think they will wear out super quick. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Could well be they will, did the seller say if they were 12% or 18% nickel? |
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| Author: | Clinchriver [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:27 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
My last two I used Jescar stainless 47/95 |
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| Author: | Lonnie J Barber [ Sat Oct 11, 2014 4:51 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Fretwire Size |
Colin I neglected to ask so don't know what to do with them. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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