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Winter Build Off 2022 - Get Ready
- Thread starter Beej
- Start date
That's not a bad idea.
I s'pose when I get to that point, I could order a few different sizes, check fret height after leveling and pick zero fret height according to what I'm after.
And I hope you all realize, by the time the BO starts, I will have forgotten the answer to every single question I've asked.
Sooo, that's fun.
Sooo, that's fun.
I use the same fret wire for zero frets. Being Luthiers' Corner. I suggest that we negate the fret wear argument by building far more instruments than we could possibly use.
Right, so much this! That's kind of my argument for "how often do you change strings?" You change strings? I try to own so many basses that the strings never get worn out!
So, is it common to have to take a substantial amount of material off the top of frets to get them level?
Some of mine were cut down quite bit and had to be worked pretty good to get a crown back.
I felt like I must've done something terribly wrong.
Some of mine were cut down quite bit and had to be worked pretty good to get a crown back.
I felt like I must've done something terribly wrong.
I've done one honest fret job, so I can't answer that.
I will say, it didn't take me much at all, so I'm hopeful that I basically did a good job of getting them all seated correctly and slots cut deep enough and all that.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,027
- 1
- 31,763
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I use the same wire for the zero fret. The relief in the neck provides clearance.
The cheapest thing possible.
The cheapest thing possible.
I used this method for my first build. Now, I use a short straight edge as a fret rocker and do the bare minimum of filing. On a new build, I've never had to take down more that a few high spots.
It varies, may depend on how consistently you seat your frets. I use a fret press caul in my drill press much more reasonable than that silly bar clamp contraption.
I tried making a radiused caul from aluminum, but I still had to hammer them in. I'm sure that had a lot to do with the inconsistency.
I've had one single fret job that I can remember (out of probably 10-20 per year on average) where I literally took one swipe, and all the frets got hit exactly the same, so I called it done. Other than that one oddball, it's probably an average of 5 - 10 swipes on any given fret, probably a couple thousandths removed in total.
I hammer frets like a stone age brute. Some day I'll rig up a press. The thing that's turning me off is the variety I build, from tiny no-radius ukes to big wide basses and stuff in between.
I hammer frets like a stone age brute. Some day I'll rig up a press. The thing that's turning me off is the variety I build, from tiny no-radius ukes to big wide basses and stuff in between.
Stop making fun of me!!
Haha, no, I didnt buy one
I really wanna do a flat board.
Pretty much every remark I've seen has been that they either don't even notice or actually like it better.
I just want to do it to reduce the chance for screwups.
I really don't have most of the tools needed to help ensure a great job, so I'm relying on luck more than skill at the moment, since I don't have experience.
But for some reason, I'm still hesitant to try a flat board. And I honestly can't nail down why.
Pretty much every remark I've seen has been that they either don't even notice or actually like it better.
I just want to do it to reduce the chance for screwups.
I really don't have most of the tools needed to help ensure a great job, so I'm relying on luck more than skill at the moment, since I don't have experience.
But for some reason, I'm still hesitant to try a flat board. And I honestly can't nail down why.
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,027
- 1
- 31,763
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
I might make one. Difference is, it will cost $3.
Is using radiused pups with a flat board a hotly debated topic?It'll be fine. Just don't use radiused pickups.
If it is, I'm doing it. Just to start a war.
Last edited:
- Apr 18, 2008
- 16,027
- 1
- 31,763
- Disclosures
- I'm highly opinionated and extremely self-assured
Other than archery, which I got into for about a year when I was 19 and then again for about 6 yrs in my 30s, this bass building crap has probably kept my interest for a longer stretch of unbroken time than most other interests I've had. I fully expected to be bored with it or simply moved on to something else by now. Like boomerangs, or ant farms, or windmills,....who the heck knows what the next thing will be or why.
Oh, I forgot,...I always wanted a crotch rocket, so I bought one in my 30s. Never rode a bike before then (yes, the first time riding was on something that redlined at 16,000 rpm
)
Rode it for 3 yrs, crashed it going about 60, fixed it up and sold it cheap to a buddy. Scratched that itch.
So archery and a motorcycle are in the lead for most time something had my attention.
I'm excited about the instrument building. It's promising that I look forward to the next one. Tells me the itch hasn't been scratched yet.
Hopefully I don't bite off more than I can chew and crash one.
Oh, I forgot,...I always wanted a crotch rocket, so I bought one in my 30s. Never rode a bike before then (yes, the first time riding was on something that redlined at 16,000 rpm
)Rode it for 3 yrs, crashed it going about 60, fixed it up and sold it cheap to a buddy. Scratched that itch.
So archery and a motorcycle are in the lead for most time something had my attention.
I'm excited about the instrument building. It's promising that I look forward to the next one. Tells me the itch hasn't been scratched yet.
Hopefully I don't bite off more than I can chew and crash one.
Building gets into your blood. Its not like motorcycles, but there is some danger of physical injury: splinters and supergluing your fingers together, or worse depending on your shop. But, the mental aspect can be damaging! I tend to see every flaw and . . . they talk to me! "I'm your mess up!" I was almost done with a bass and drilled the tuning pegs wrong. It took 10 seconds to see I had marked the outside (why???) and the center and drilled the wrong mark. It took weeks before my eye stopped twitching! The wife just leaves the room if I'm not smiling coming out of the shop. The kids seem . . . distant. But, then there's the next, better build.
