Sam Bush Gibson

[keymandoplyr]

Was at Gibson Showcase in Nashville last week. Couldnt get over the huge size of the fret wire on the Sam Bush model. I play 3 hours at a time a lot was wondering does anyone have one of these large fret mandos ? Wondering how your fingers hold up in the long run? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/mandosmiley.gif

[Martin]

After I played Sam's mando a few years back I couldn't believe how big the frets were. I really liked it. I've always liked jumbo frets on my guitars so i went for it and installed jumbo wire on my F9. After i got it tweaked to my liking I'm very happy with it. Didn't notice any more finger fatigue than normal or anything else that you might think would be a problem. After I had this F9 awhile I put Martin guitar wire on it. I definately don't like the small or vintage wire. Now I have this jumbo wire and it suits me great. Kinda reminds me of when I was a kid and used to hotrod my cars. Now I do it to mandos with alot less knuckle busting.
YMMV http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Paul Hostetter]

I have a number of mandolin clients who love big frets, as I do, and find them much easier to play because you don't need nearly as much finger pressure to get clear notes. And because you don't squeeze so hard, they don't wear as fast either.

By large I mean something like Dunlop 6280, which is .078" wide by about .040" tall, and their 6230 which is .080" x .043" according to their charts. The 6230 is a common guitar wire, and I reckon you could say it is the mandolin equivalent of a jumbo wire. Stew-Mac has appropriate wire, such as their #155 which is 80 wide by 50 tall, and there's Jescar, which comes in 18% nickel, stainless or nickel-free gold in a number of sizes:

9672 .078” x .050”
9676 .080” x .043”
9677 .040” x .039” (this is small wire)

Large wire is not for everyone, but it's increasingly popular among serious players I know.

[Big Joe]

I find just the opposite, Paul. The smaller frets are easier for me to play and require less pressure for me. I hate the large frets but love the smaller frets. I guess it shows we are all individuals with differeng tastes. I find the smaller frets intonate cleaner and there is more room for my fingers between the frets, which may not be a big issue on the first few positions, but by the time you get to the 10th fret or above can make a real difference to me. I guess I should be playing the tuba or something http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif .

[june39]

What are the specs on the wire used on the Bush model?

Doug McCash

[Paul Hostetter]

Joe - what do you mean by "intonate cleaner?"

[Dagger Gordon]

I've just had some work done on my 1914 A model Gibson, including refretting.

It seems the frets which were previously on were not original, and were very thin. I've now got much thicker ones (I'll find out the guage if you like)and the difference is fantastic. So much louder and better sounding.

[Monte37]

I too sided myself to the fatter fret. I like the smooth domed feel. My buddy Keith put on what I believe to be Les Paul frets in the 70's and he asked me to try them out. I know he took some grief for it from the local repair/luthier community as blasfamy at the time, but I dug it and still do.
All the best from Austin where its hotterin the dickens. Hey, who's posting from the hottest place!! I hear some 100's in Calif, and 115's in Arizona.!

[DryBones]

anybody know what size is on a new Mid-Mo?

Monte, we've been pushing 100 in the D.C. area all week http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif

[cooper4205]

i have to go with the fat frets too, my flatiron has them and it easier to fret and makes me feel like i can play faster.