View Full Version : New mandolin frets by wes lambe guitars
jim wilkes
Dec-14-2009, 10:22pm
New frets sized to .080 are great. No problems whatsoever with intonation. I had thought that the oversize fretwire might create a problem with intonation but this size fretwire works great on my mandolin. In addition the fretboard and bridge were radiused to 20 degrees which seems to work good in combination with this size wire.
Phil Goodson
Dec-14-2009, 11:16pm
I've had 0.080" frets on several mandos. I like them too.:)
Fret width should have nothing to do with intonation if properly installed.
What does "radiused to 20 degrees" mean? Do you mean inches or did I miss something?
Radiuses of 7-18 inches are common, often compound. 20 inch radius sounds relatively flat.
Were the previous frets pretty narrow? Did you have difficulties with them?
jim wilkes
Dec-15-2009, 5:04pm
Phil, The fretboard is relatively flat, although as you probably know better than I a very slight change can sometimes make a noticeable difference. My understanding about radius the higher the # the lower the radius. I know while Martin Guitars generally uses 16 degrees Guild and Gibson generally use 12 degrees. If you continued the 16 to a circle it would be a 16 foot circle, the 12 would be 12 foot circle; therefore degree of curve. For some reason radiused necks seem a little easier to barr but a lot of flatpickers don't seem to use that many barr chords and shape their chords in an alternative manner, very successfully I might add. Doc Watson, I'm told uses limited barr chords if any at all. Viewers correct if Im wrong,OK?
jim wilkes
Dec-15-2009, 5:25pm
Obviously I'm showing my age and lack of intelligence by not specifically stipulating the width of the fretboard. As we know it should be reflected in inches and not feet but I think the principle is the same.
Phil Goodson
Dec-29-2009, 8:21pm
Phil, The fretboard is relatively flat.... Martin Guitars generally uses 16 degrees Guild and Gibson generally use 12 degrees. If you continued the 16 to a circle it would be a 16 foot circle, the 12 would be 12 foot circle;.....Viewers correct if Im wrong,OK?
Jim,
You're just a little confused about the terms, although your concept is correct.
Fingerboard radius is quantified by using the radius of the circle whose perimeter matches the curve of the frets. This would be expressed in inches, not degrees nor feet.
You are correct that the smaller the number, the more curve in the fingerboard.
Both fretwire width and curve of the fingerboard are selected because of the PREFERENCE of the player. Different preferences by different folks. No rights or wrongs here. We choose what we like and then ENJOY!!!:mandosmiley: