fret problem

[billkilpatrick]

dear all -

i have what i think is an errant fret on my charango.

the notes prior to and immediately after are fine but there's one place where the sound gets "deadened", for the want of the proper word, when i play it.

my instinct is to cover the entire fingerboard with strip of perfectly flat, heavy metal and tap it lightly with a hammer.

shock horror?...good idea?...please let me know what you think.

ciao - bill

[Dolamon]

First Bill - put the flat heavy piece of metal on the fret board and try to isolate which fret is high - low - too round or too flat. ( I usually use a polished steel straight edge (machinist rule) to isolate the "lump".)Charango's aren't known for robustness in structure. Take your time with it and use a magnifying glass to ascertain if there is room for the fret to be tapped down. It may just need filing and polishing.

My charango's all seem to have been built for a one weekend party. My nephew brought me a street version from LaPaz and he mentioned it was played under the chin with the chin resting on the "waist" of the instrument ... odd posture for a marvelously idiosyncratic instrument. The split wooden tuning pegs drive me up the wall.

[billkilpatrick]

sounds like good advise. #i never would have thought of the magnifying glass.

i'm suprised with what you say about charangos being less than robust. #the sound chamber, neck and tuning platform of mine - i have three - are all constructed from single pieces of wood. #i haven't been asked to play in any red-neck bars (they're thin on the ground here in tuscany) but if asked and things get rowdy, i'm sure they would stand me in good stead as mallets.

i use my charangos to play early european music (estampie, pilgrim songs, etc.). #according to visual evidence (if you think the south american posture is awkward) some medieval musicians must have been been observed holding their two-bout, charango like instrument with the bowl placed outside the crook of the elbow, a bit like fess parker held "betsy" in "davy crockett." #not exactly condusive to fancy flat or finger-picking wizardry.

thanks again.

sincerely - bill

[Michael Lewis]

That dull sound on one fret is most likely a loose fret end. Put a very small drop of super glue on the end of the fret where it meets the fingerboard and let it wick into the gap under the fret. Immediately hold a stiff and very flat object like a steel ruler against the frets to make them level, and hold that for about one minute so the glue can dry.

[billkilpatrick]

thank you michael.

i'm currently rummaging through the garage, etc. looking for a metal strip a bit heavier than a flat ruler - one way or another i'll bring all the frets back into line.

ciao - bill