RobF -> RE: Question about the string height of my 1st fret (Aug. 28 2023 14:18:24)
|
Hi Ziyad, Bringing it in is the right thing to do. You donāt have the knowledge or the tools for this job and itās too easy to either go too low and get buzzing (will need a new nut) or having the file slip and scratch your headstock finish. While some makers or brands might provide a spare saddle as a courtesy, itās actually seldom done, and giving out spare nuts with a new guitar is pretty well never done. All measurements related to string height over a fret are done with reference to the top of the fret. The reason for this is because not all fret varieties are the same height. Many are in the neighbourhood of 1.1 to 1.2mm, but really it depends on the brand/manufacture/model of fret. There are many variants, and frets are also dressed after being placed in the fretboard and can change height, so without knowing whatās on the guitar, measuring from the fretboard isnāt going to give you enough information. Your tap test is good, the strings could come down a touch, but they shouldnāt be as close as a steel stringās set-up. Trying to get everything low low low is a bit of a mugās game, but itās what people like to do, often at the expense of an optimal set-up. If the tech sets it up a little a little higher than steel string you should be OK. The goal isnāt to get it as low as possible, itās to improve the playability for you, it need not go any further than that. If you need numbers, I think just google it. Some manufacturers will publish their setup data, and string height above the first fret is occasionally included. Try not to overthink this. If the Foro has given you one piece of usable advice, it has been to take it to a competent tech. Itās bread and butter work for them and theyāll have the know-how and tools to do it right. Best,
|
|
|
|