Fret Saw..

dremy2006 · #1 09-23-2009, 01:59 PM

I have a saw that’s 0.22 kerf, would that make a big difference when cutting fret slots for Stew Mac’s 0.23 fret wire..????

jworrellbass · #2 09-23-2009, 02:12 PM

You should be fine, I use a pull saw I bought at Home Depot to clean out the saw dust before I install frets. No problems.

XylemBassGuitar · #3 09-23-2009, 02:43 PM

I've never used a .22" saw for .23" frets, but I agree with JWorrellBass, you should be fine but you should probably test-string your bass before you put the frets in to see how much relief the strings pull into the neck.

Putting all of your frets into really tight slots like that can add some significant backbow to the neck, to the point that the strings may not be able to pull enough relief into the neck (sometimes the neck will even stay backbowed while the strings are on the bass). If you're using a two-way truss rod, this may not be as much of a concern as you may be able to adjust in enough relief with the truss rod alone, but I would still test-string the bass and see how the neck reacts to the strings. If the neck is really stiff (the strings don't put much relief into the neck) you might consider widening the slots a little with a very small dremel bit and then gluing the frets in to avoid imparting a lot of backbow to the neck. On the other hand, if the strings pull too much relief into the neck, you might want to keep the slots very tight so that they add a little "buffer backbow."

mikeyswood · #4 09-23-2009, 02:56 PM

I am not aware of any species (Balsa to Snakewood) that will put up enough resistance for .010" to matter.

dremy2006 · #5 09-23-2009, 03:29 PM

thank you, thank you and thank you...now I have to come up with a jig to cut the slots..80 bucks for a miter box..!!!

jworrellbass · #6 09-23-2009, 03:41 PM

I think I paid $70 for the 6" fret blade Stew Mac sells. I just made my own table saw sled for it. But then I had to buy the fret template for $40. Money well spent.

mikeyswood · #7 09-23-2009, 05:54 PM

Two pieces of wood and a quality square is all you need.

pilotjones · #8 09-23-2009, 08:50 PM

Not exactly the same situation, but how David King deals with fret-induced backbow:

Quote:

Originally Posted by http://www.kingbass.com/build-a-bass.html

With ebony and other very hard fingerboards I need to "set" the fret tangs in to the sides of the slots by standing on the fingerboard while it is supported at each end, otherwise the tight frets will force backbow into the neck.