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Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 1:49 pm
by Zen
Hi Guys , Just a quick question, I am replacing 5 frets on an old Takamine En 40 and have removed the old frets. The slots are a bit different from what I have seen before and by that I mean that they do not go all the way across the fret board. In fact the slot just stops short of the edge on each side--its a new one on me. My question is would i be better off use a saw to open up the slots all the way out or the alternative is to measure the old frets and try slot the new ones in. Has anyone seen this type of fretting before.
Any help appreciated
Rusty

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 2:37 pm
by tippie53
Invest in a fret tang nipper , these help you have a nice finished look on the guitar.
Martin has switched to ( pocket ) frets a few years ago.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 3:07 pm
by Zen
I have one John and use it for the ends but in this case I'm wondering should I rout out the slot all the way.
Heres a Pic to show the slot/trench/ are not cut all the way through and the old frets sat on top of the little piece of wood left at the ends.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:46 pm
by B. Howard
I would not cut them through, even if they need made a little deeper. That way all the frets look the same. besides I find it easier to dress the ends on a bound board and usually charge extra for unbound boards as they are more work.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 4:53 pm
by Zen
Thanks for that John, Strange thing is the fretboard is not bound at all --they just cut the slots that way. By the way how they do that ? Must be with a router?

I will cut my frets the same size as the old ones then and hopefully it should be fine


Thanks again
Rusty

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:44 pm
by Darryl Young
This is called faux binding.

It has the benefits of a bound fretboard (can't see the fret ends) without adding the step of cutting and gluing binding strips.

If I didn't have to, I would leave bit of wood at the end of the fret slots as it hides the tang and will keep all the frets looking the same.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 5:52 pm
by Ben-Had
The do it with CNC router.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 7:02 pm
by tippie53
Martin uses a laser . It gives a nice look.

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 8:45 pm
by Zen
Thanks for all the advise guys and some tips there I had never come across before -learning something new every day.
When John asked about a fret tang nipper I mistakenly thought he was talking about a fret cutter for trimming the ends but then it finally dawned on me what he was talking about. I never saw the need for one until now and often wondered what all the hype was about regarding that particular tool, but I can see the need for one on certain jobs now and I guess it will have to go on my list--- a very long list these days but one can always dream !!

Thanks again
Rusty

Re: Partial Re fret on Guitar

Posted: Wed Jan 23, 2013 11:14 pm
by Ben-Had
tippie53 wrote:Martin uses a laser . It gives a nice look.
Yes, are they using lasers yet to rout for pearl? I have a fiend that has access to ne and it's crazy accurate.