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 Post subject: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:01 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Which do you folks like to be your parallel fret?


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 1:44 pm 
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meddlingfool wrote:
Which do you folks like to be your parallel fret?


7th on both models I make.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:07 pm 
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7th for me, too

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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 2:43 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Thanks!

Any particular reason why you both choose the 7th?


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:08 pm 
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7th for me as well.

The "intensity" of the fret angles is dependent on the spacing of the strings. Since the strings are closer together at the nut than at the bridge, 12th fret perpendicular results in the nut being more sharply angled than the bridge. 7th fret perpendicular gives roughly equal nut and bridge angle with most configurations.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:10 pm 
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meddlingfool wrote:
Thanks!

Any particular reason why you both choose the 7th?


As I recall it’s so the nut/saddle angles don’t end up too steep or too shallow. Mine aren’t very radical. 25” on top, 26” on the bottom for my 14 fret OM. My 12 fret 00 is 24” and 25”.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:13 pm 
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DennisK wrote:
7th for me as well.

The "intensity" of the fret angles is dependent on the spacing of the strings. Since the strings are closer together at the nut than at the bridge, 12th fret perpendicular results in the nut being more sharply angled than the bridge. 7th fret perpendicular gives roughly equal nut and bridge angle with most configurations.


Clearly a better explanation...


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Mon Apr 23, 2018 4:31 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Thanks very much gentleman! I have one on order and there's all kindsa new interesting things to consider...but the above makes total sense.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Tue Apr 24, 2018 9:28 am 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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I like Dennis' reasoning. Some players might prefer it up or down a couple of frets, depending on how they hold the guitar.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 3:56 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Ed do you use Fretfind2d?

It shows the angles of each fret as well as the nut and bridge.

I use it to create complementary angles between the first and last frets on the fretboard, e.g. 15deg. at fret 1 and -15deg. at fret 20 by manipulating where the perpendicular fret is.

This is the most neutral design for the fretting hand in my opinion - doesn't favour lower or higher positions on the fretboard.

Of course some players my prefer to reduce the fret angles at one end of the fretboard or the other.



Then again it's possible to reduce fret angles on some strings instead of others, as in the e-scale concept pioneered by Daniel Memory of Oni Guitars in Australia:


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 4:15 pm 
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^^^^ WOW. Curved frets..... I am MOST intrigued about the technique and tools to do this. ^^^^

I've played a few fanned fret guitars with the 10th fret being most parallel. I was surprised how comfortable they felt. Of course - I'm not a fantastic guitarist in any sense of the word.

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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:41 pm 
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Brazilian Rosewood
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Leo, no I've never used that. Mostly I've just used LMI jigs. When I needed something else, I've just had my friend who did the designing at the old shop and has a little CNC side biz.

Bendy fret look cool!


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Wed Apr 25, 2018 7:46 pm 
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Depends on scale length for me. I use the 8th on a 27.5" long end.


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 Post subject: Re: Fan fret question...
PostPosted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 3:23 pm 
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Cocobolo
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Chris Pile wrote:
^^^^ WOW. Curved frets..... I am MOST intrigued about the technique and tools to do this. ^^^^


He designs the scale lengths for each string in Rhino3D using an exponential relation from the shorter lengths to the longer ones - hence "e-scale."

He CNC cuts the fret slots and uses stainless steel frets which he says follow the curved slots quite easily.


I must say I'm a huge fan of his work. Love the simple clean aesthetics of his designs.


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