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small frets

Discussion in 'Luthier's Corner' started by 59jazz, Dec 2, 2003.


  1. Dec 2, 2003 #1
    59jazz

    59jazz Infinite Rider on the Big Dogma Supporting Member

    Feb 27, 2003
    From Aptos CA to Solon IA
    what are the advantages of having small frets on a 34" scale? would .080 x .043 frets allow the strings to make contact with the fingerboard? Would this give a fretted bass a more "woodsy" tone? Would flats and small frets make a good combo?

    Thanks, H2
     
  5. Dec 5, 2003 #2
    kboyd

    kboyd

    Jul 6, 2002
    Loranger
    Never tried it myself, but Alembic made a custom with Mandolin fretwire and swear it sounds awesome, but if you play heavey, you will need a refret sooner than one with standard wire. Check out their "BIG Bass" in the custom archive section.
     
  10. Dec 7, 2003 #3
    Jacob Bartfield

    Jacob Bartfield

    Feb 25, 2002
    Los Angeles, CA
    Since smaller frets take up a narrower space on the fingerboard, they supposedly provide better intonation. I also personally like how they feel.

    However, they're maybe a little harder to play, they wear quicker, and I've heard that they don't sustain as well, or give as clear a tone.
     
  14. Dec 7, 2003 #4
    daveze

    daveze

    Jun 11, 2003
    Narangba, QLD, Australia
    Carey Nordstrand built Matt Power the 'ultimate 4-string', sporting mandoline/banjo fretwire as part of the requirements. In the 'players' section of his site if you wanna take a look. Mr Power's somewhere about here isn't he?

    Whether they contact the fretboard depends, possibly come close on lower frets if you dig in a bit, but because they wear faster you'd probly be sub-consciously inclined to lighten up a bit.

    Josh D
     
  18. Dec 10, 2003 #5
    jacochops

    jacochops

    Jul 2, 2000
    Suzhou, China
    Hey! I had Carey make that 4 string with small frets, and yes, they felt very "quick" under the fingers, and it actually makes it much easier on your touch....you can get away with a very light left handed approach. However, Carey has some REEEEAAALLY small fretwire which I LOVE (I can hear Carey grumbling in the background now...);), but is a real bitch to install, since the frets tend to twist like a cat on a rope when you put them in. It's essentially mandolin wire. Once you play on that stuff, you won't go back. Ifd it wears out, I don't care. I'll pay for refrets all day long for the privelidge of playing on that wire!
    Matt P
     
  22. Dec 10, 2003 #6
    pilotjones

    pilotjones Supporting Member

    Nov 8, 2001
    US-NY-NYC
    Dingwall uses banjo frets on all his basses.