Slots in zero fret

[Bruce Johnson]

And I like your approach, though for myself I would choose less that .010", but that's in good part because of how I play.

I think we measure it a little bit differently, too. You use a straightedge, touching the zero fret and the 3rd fret, measuring under the 1st, right? And you like about 0.003"?

I measure it with my dial indicator gauge, which rests a straight bar on frets 1-4. It measures the height of the zero fret above that line, parallel to it. I set my zero frets at 0.010" using that measurement. If I then measure it using your method, I get around 0.003-0.004" at the 1st. We're getting about the same final result, but measuring it differently in the process.

 

[Turnaround]

Yes, our means if measurement are different. So it seems that we arrive at the same place. Not surprising really.

 

[Zooberwerx]

I set my zero frets at 0.010" using that measurement. If I then measure it using your method, I get around 0.003-0.004" at the 1st. We're getting about the same final result, but measuring it differently in the process.

If starting with a zero fret wire 0.010" taller, how much material is removed during the dressing?

Riis

 

[Bruce Johnson]

If starting with a zero fret wire 0.010" taller, how much material is removed during the dressing?

Riis

Well, the usual procedure is to use a wire size for the Zero fret that is more than 0.010" taller than the other frets. Level the other frets first. You don't know how much that's going to take off; it depends on how close they are to flat before leveling. After they are leveled, then you trim the Zero Fret down to 0.010" above whatever height they are.

On my Scroll Basses, I've got the process down to being quite predicable. Now, I use the same size fretwire for the Zero fret. And I do the leveling to deliberately bring all the frets down to 0.010" below the Zero Fret. Measuring as I'm doing it. And the Zero fret is untouched.

You can do this on a one-off neck, if you like. But it's a little more risky, because you don't know how much leveling it's going to need. On a one-off neck, I'll usually leave the Zero Fret out until I've got the rest of the frets leveled. Then, measure their height and decide what size fretwire I need to use, to get to that 0.010" higher number.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Well, the usual procedure is to use a wire size for the Zero fret that is more than 0.010" taller than the other frets. Level the other frets first. You don't know how much that's going to take off; it depends on how close they are to flat before leveling. After they are leveled, then you trim the Zero Fret down to 0.010" above whatever height they are.

On my Scroll Basses, I've got the process down to being quite predicable. Now, I use the same size fretwire for the Zero fret. And I do the leveling to deliberately bring all the frets down to 0.010" below the Zero Fret. Measuring as I'm doing it. And the Zero fret is untouched.

You can do this on a one-off neck, if you like. But it's a little more risky, because you don't know how much leveling it's going to need. On a one-off neck, I'll usually leave the Zero Fret out until I've got the rest of the frets leveled. Then, measure their height and decide what size fretwire I need to use, to get to that 0.010" higher number.

Reason I mentioned it is Mr. Tobias, per his description, starts with a 0.010" before dressing so I'd imagine it ends-up somewhat lower. Either way, that appears to be the "magic number" even when rough-cutting a conventional nut (installed) using the span & stack approach.

Riis