On 23/10/2016 18:32, Martin Shepherd wrote:
Hi All,
A new video in the "tips" series - this time some help with tying frets:
https://youtu.be/Qs_pXOoBVLU
Best wishes,
Martin
Dear Martin,
Thanks for the video. Without wanting to question anything you
demonstrated I thought I might add a few points which I consider to be
important.
I think that it is advisable to have a set of fret gauges for a
particular instrument (often supplied by the maker) rather than just
measuring a fret to be replaced. Very often over time the diameters of
frets change considerably (the gut generally absorbs humidity and
becomes thicker) and even if one measures an old fret on the part that
was sitting on the back of the neck, it is not necessarily the correct
gauge for a replacement. It also imperative to measure thicknesses of
new fret gut with a micrometer as they rarely correspond exactly to what
the manufacturers note on the packet (especially if they have been
stored for some time). Once the new fret is in place it is always good
to check that there are no buzzes.
To avoid the issue of scratching a varnished neck (or a plain fruit wood
neck) with a knot, some people suggest using a slither of thin plastic
taken from an old credit card or the like which can be put under the
knot as one slides it into position. Some makers use a hard wood for the
fingerboard edging which overlaps the neck enough to be able to place
the knot on and so avoid damage to the softer wood on the neck. I have
also noticed that it is advisable to put the running end of the fret
through the knot in such a way as it comes out parallel to the burnt
end. In this way one makes sure the knot lies flat and does not gouge a
ridge into the neck.
I try to place the new fret as close as possible to the fret below it
(or the nut in the case of the first fret) so that when put into
position it becomes tight enough (you suggest one centimetre lower than
its final position which doesn't seem quite enough to me).
I have never used a soldering iron to burn the ends of fret gut but find
that good quality matches or a lighter with an adjustable flame are
perfectly safe as long as one holds the neck of the lute horizontally so
that the flame is above the part of the fret one wishes to singe and one
proceeds by gentle touches using the base of the flame.
One last thing. When passing the fret gut under the strings, it's good
to check that no strings have been missed out before tying the knot.
There is nothing more annoying than starting to move a fret into
position and realising that a string has escaped your attention and is
above the fret rather than below it!
Best,
Matthew
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