Fret buffing

[Dick Hutchings]

Is it a bad idea to buff the frets using the same wheels to be used for buffing a lacquered instrument? I concerned about metal contamination. Am I over thinking it?

[Frank Ford]

Not overthinking it. #Better not catch anybody buffing frets on MY finish buff! #Got a black wheel for that job, #you betcha.

Cheers,

Frank Ford
FRETS.COM (http://www.frets.com)
Gryphon Stringed Instruments (http://www.gryphonstrings.com)
My Home Shop Pages (http://www.frets.com/FRETSPages/Machining/index.html)

[nelson_luthier]

I second the motion. Don't mix them up! I use a dremel and a small eraser guard that you can still get at good stationary stores. That way I don't mess with the fret board finish.

Here is a collage of photos from a guitar I did about a year ago.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v57/nelson_luthier/dressfretends.jpg

Greg

[Rick Turner]

OK, Greg, where did you get that quote? That's going up on my wall. Maybe it needs to go onto all my invoices... That's very, very good.

[nelson_luthier]

Over many years in the trades I developed that saying because "artist" didn't fit what I did. To me, a really good auto body repair man has talents far in excess of an artist working with metal, fillers and paint. Just ask an artist to make that patch invisable and see how far you get. Where as the body man does it without fanfair or recognition. When done well it is just as it should be, and we drive on.

Here's to the craftsmen of the world. Where would we be without them.

Greg

[Jim Rowland]

A few years ago I was talking to a class instructor at a music festival who turned out to be a repairman. As he was examining one of my mandos and commenting on details, I told him I thought that a good repairman knew loads more about stringed instruments than many builders. He looked at me like I was being sarcastic,but I assured him that I was sincere..and I was. Think about it.
Jim

[sunburst]

Jim, I believe there's truth to that. I know I've learned much more form doing repairs than I have from building, and it's one of the reasons I continue to do both. The different mental challenges of building and repair help keep me from getting bored.
Lutherie, I believe, is a combination of art and craft, with the emphasis on craft. Some luthiers bring more art into their work than others, so the balance is unique to the individual.

[nelson_luthier]

Exactly.

I don't know if there is a sufficient word in the english language to describe this atrisan/craftsman/technician. I do know that no matter how many instruments I sell or repair I will hold on to my "amature" status as long as I can. That word has taken a beating recently as meaning "substandard" as opposed to "done by someone with sincere interest and passion for the task". The only place amature seems to have retained it's original meaning these days is when we attach it to the word "Athelete". Why is it that we hold amature atheletes in such high regard and not others?

Greg

[ErikAitch]

Hrm... all of the few words that come to my mind have negative connotations. Like "savant"; common parlance puts the "idiot" in front automatically. "Artificer"? connotations of guile and deceipt. "Contriver" Ewwwwww!

The OED lists "Craftsmaster" which sounds good, if awkward, but it's not a title I'll give myself. But then I'm the sort of person who believes that someone who calls themself an artist better damn well be able to prove it, and very, very few of the many I've known in the last half century qualified.

Ansel Adams makes my short list -only- for his ability as a pianist; the art of landscape photography is Nature's, not the craftsman who captures it. He was an impeccable craftsmaan, but far, far better as a musician.

But I digress. I, too, adore that quote, Greg.

[sunburst]

I think I see a possible new topic concerning the art vs. craft of lutherie. This one is rightly a technical thread about fret work.
(amature moderator hat removed.)

[nelson_luthier]

Sorry http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif Thread hijacking is not something I am fond of myself.

Is there someone here that is capable of draging the hijack into it's own, more appropriate thread? You can delete this post when you move it if you like.

Greg

[Bill Snyder]

Just for your information you can use the delete button or the edit button any time to edit or delete your own posts.

[sunburst]

Greg, this place is so casual, the moderators will put up with almost anything as long as there is at least some oblique reference to mandolins from time to to time, and the posting guidelines are adhered to. I think that is the reason this is almost the only forum I spend much time on.
I'm not "busting you're chops" at all, I just think there is a potential for an interesting thread on art, craft, and lutherie. You're free to start you own thread any time.
I, for one, am glad to have you aboard. I suspect you are someone I can learn from.

[nelson_luthier]

Thanks. I didn't think you were busting my chops at all. I can see that this is a colaborative bunch. I was just curious if it were possible to bring multiple postings over to a new thread. Let me see if I can do it in a low tech way.

Greg

[mehrsam]

You might want to use "demon" or the antiquated version "daemon"...but I do like the quote.

[nelson_luthier]

Spelin es nut mie speshulty.

My wife pointed out the error earlier this evening. Thanks.

Greg