Can you guess what I'm up to today?
And you see, I got a nice big roll of fretwire off ebay. It's tall, wide, and kind of pyramid shaped, normally used on electrics and bases. This is my first time to use it, I sure hope I like it, 127' of it, so I guess I better!
I fret my boards before gluing them onto the neck. Don't know if it's the best way, most seem to do their fretting later. But this does let me work on a solid granite block and so far it's worked for me, so. I've started cutting each fret as I need it rather than cutting them ahead of time and keeping them in order, doesn't seem any harder to me. One thing nice about cutting it off a roll is it's pre-radiused.
And I rub a little glue into each slot as I go, it seems to lube the slot and make them hammer in easier. Plus the bonus of a little glue in each slot seems like a little added insurance.
A little glue, rub it in and wipe it off with a damp rag.
Hold the fret with one finger in the center, tap in each end and then work it down the rest of the way. The theory being that by anchoring the ends first, when you tap in the middle it pushes the barbs on the ends sideways and anchors the ends.
So there we have both fretted, filed and side dots installed.
I made me a nice clamping caul to match the fretboard, and carved a relief down the center so the pressure is concentrated on the sides.
Remembered to put in my truss-rod, covered the slot with 3/4" tape to keep out the glue, spread it, removed the tape, and we're ready to clamp it down.
And there we have it. I'll get the second one glued down tomorrow.
Check you later,
Joe
