Playability and shape of frets

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Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

Playability and shape of frets

Really don´t remember why, but originally I thought to be prefering relatively flat fret wire.

Then, after obtaining my classical Burguet with pretty high frets, at first it felt as if it was harder to play, but soon I found myself to actually be liking it. Somehow, for a lack of words, fingering felt more defined.

And meanwhile I am certainly booked on high and broad wire.

There is this restaurated axe which the restaurator and I had agreed on to have it refretted in a way that should model the original fret dimensions, which was thin and flat wire.
A mistake. I will need to have it refretted again.

- With that Evo wire, which once I recommended on the foro, besides.
You makers may not want to miss out on it. It´s a couple of additional cents that pay in terms of proccessing, durability, appearance and (from what I heard) feeling.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2015 11:15:50

Ricardo

Posts: 14832
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

next up for you ruphus...scalloped fingerboard.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2015 15:34:39

tri7/5

Posts: 570
Joined: May 5 2012

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ricardo

next up for you ruphus...scalloped fingerboard.

Scalloped boards are sweet on electrics. Bend and vibrato control for days. It also makes you play with a light touch so you can't do the blues gorilla grip.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2015 18:19:45

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to tri7/5)

quote:

ORIGINAL: tri7/5

It also makes you play with a light touch so you can't do the blues gorilla grip.

Yep, never tried out such, but certainly on acoustic guitars it would be too much for me. I think the margin with not too flat frets is pretty alright as is, and in fact I aim for staying light on the string as much as possible.

Ruphus

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 18 2015 19:00:58

Anders Eliasson

Posts: 5780
Joined: Oct. 18 2006

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

Frets cant really be discussed. Its very personal. Just like blondes/brunettes and Bourdeux/Bourgogne discussions.

You can talk about the advantages of different fret types but in the end it melts down to personal preferences. Just like neck shapes. I once thought I prefered Les Pauls with thin neck, until I played a really good one with a thicker neck. Because it sounded and played so well, I adjusted in no time.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 7:30:01

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

I guess you are right about that.

Sine there was a number of guitarists with the same preference I thought maybe in the end high and broad frets might be rather ergonomical. But there are certainly others who prefer thin and flat ones.

Actually, I opened this thread to see how many would be preferring what.
Do you personally like small fret wire?
And what kind do you use on default?

Thanks,

Ruphus

PS:
I like all kinds of beautiful women. But have a preference for blondes. :O)

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 8:31:05

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

Until I learn about refretting electric guitars, I am stuck with what they come with (stock gauge, when buying 2nd hand) or swap out the neck. I would like to try a Strat with jumbo frets.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 9:06:08

Ruphus

Posts: 3782
Joined: Nov. 18 2010

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

As there is no standard to the terminology, I assume you are mainly thinking of the width with jumbo frets (close to 3 mm)?

If I overlook that correctly (not sure about latest manufactory), I think nylons stock fret gauge still is mostly relatively narrow and short.

Next time that you are in a store, you may want to try out Amalio Burguet´s handcrafted specimen. (Provided he frets them all with the wire he used for mine, which I am not sure about however.)
That would give an example for taller and broader fret shape.
Could be you would like it too. - (For me it was love on second sight.)

Ruphus

PS:
Just tried to measure the fretwire on the Burguet (with a normal ruler, so not definite with the tenth of mm). It looks like 2 mm wide and 1,5 mm tall. The crown being circular.

REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 9:39:21

Ricardo

Posts: 14832
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ruphus)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ruphus

I guess you are right about that.

Sine there was a number of guitarists with the same preference I thought maybe in the end high and broad frets might be rather ergonomical. But there are certainly others who prefer thin and flat ones.

Actually, I opened this thread to see how many would be preferring what.
Do you personally like small fret wire?
And what kind do you use on default?

Thanks,

Ruphus

PS:
I like all kinds of beautiful women. But have a preference for blondes. :O)

basically you have to be more careful with tall frets that's all..you can bend out of tune accidentally much easier than on short frets. In fact, that is what that whole compensation thing is about...the fact the string bends over frets negating the equal tempermant of fret postions. I would think lower frets would equal LESS need for compensation...but as we all know nobody seems to agree about it anyway.

Ricardo

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 15:52:23

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

In fact, that is what that whole compensation thing is about...the fact the string bends over frets negating the equal tempermant of fret postions. I would think lower frets would equal LESS need for compensation...but as we all know nobody seems to agree about it anyway.

I really don't agree with that. Too much pressure will certainly sharpen the notes but that's not what causes the need for compensation.. in fact, sharpening notes is usually part of the solution (in my case).

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 16:07:11

Ricardo

Posts: 14832
Joined: Dec. 14 2004
From: Washington DC

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Sr. Martins)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Sr. Martins

quote:

In fact, that is what that whole compensation thing is about...the fact the string bends over frets negating the equal tempermant of fret postions. I would think lower frets would equal LESS need for compensation...but as we all know nobody seems to agree about it anyway.

I really don't agree with that. Too much pressure will certainly sharpen the notes but that's not what causes the need for compensation.. in fact, sharpening notes is usually part of the solution (in my case).

There is no "need" for compensation, but as I have read that's what it's about, ie why they are doing it to other wise normal guitars. Anyway, we have enough threads about that issue...THIS one is about tall vs short frets.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 17:03:00

Sr. Martins

Posts: 3079
Joined: Apr. 4 2011

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Ricardo)

quote:

There is no "need" for compensation

I wrote "need" as in "to achieve 12TET".

..and no, the reason isn't to compensate for heavy handed guitarists. I've written the reasons many times along these topics.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 19:41:26

Escribano

Posts: 6416
Joined: Jul. 6 2003
From: England, living in Italy

RE: Playability and shape of frets (in reply to Sr. Martins)

One thread on compensation, temperament (not a happy one BTW) and intonation, is enough for one lifetime. This thread is way locked.

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REPORT THIS POST AS INAPPROPRIATE | Date May 20 2015 19:58:18