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Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Fri Dec 14, 2018 10:11 pm
by Chardo
I’ve removed the frets and repaired the fingerboard and I’m ready to re-Fret. The fret slots measure .030” wide. Is a .020” tang with .036” barbs correct for a .030” slot?

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:30 am
by tippie53
no
you need to use a feeler gauge for the slot
if you have a .030 slot that would be a hard tang to fine
May be a .024 tang would work

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 9:51 am
by Chardo
tippie53 wrote:no
you need to use a feeler gauge for the slot
if you have a .030 slot that would be a hard tang to fine
May be a .024 tang would work
I did use feeler gauges. New cheap ones. I'll check them against my better set. I will also measure the old frets when I can get to the appropriate tools.
Thanks

In another note, how fine do you sand a rose wood fretboard?

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 11:24 am
by phavriluk
I've made three rosewood fretboards, sanded through 600-grit on all 3, they pleased me. YMMV.

As for feeler gauges, I've found any set I could buy plenty precise enough. I don't think a cheap set's .020" gauge, for example is going to match an expensive set's .021" or .019" gauge. Using feeler gauges with accuracy is an acquired skill.

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sat Dec 15, 2018 12:42 pm
by Chardo
phavriluk wrote:I've made three rosewood fretboards, sanded through 600-grit on all 3, they pleased me. YMMV.

As for feeler gauges, I've found any set I could buy plenty precise enough. I don't think a cheap set's .020" gauge, for example is going to match an expensive set's .021" or .019" gauge. Using feeler gauges with accuracy is an acquired skill.
Thanks Pete.
.030” was a little snug in some and a little looser in others. I’m using .030” as an average
Edit
After borrowing a set of calipers the original frets measurement are...
Tang width .031
Tang length .070
Barb width .042 (this is an average)
Crown height .043
Crown width .076

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sat Dec 22, 2018 8:07 pm
by Chardo
tippie53 wrote:no
you need to use a feeler gauge for the slot
if you have a .030 slot that would be a hard tang to fine
May be a .024 tang would work
Ok. I've looked at a couple of fret wire charts. Jim Dunlop seems to make a couple of wide tang options in a medium-sized fret.
6190, 6220, 6260 a little smaller crown,
Some of the dimensions seem to be for shank of the tang and others for the size of the barb.
This is getting confusing, to many numbers.
Would I be better off partial y filling and resawing the feet slot?

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Sun Dec 23, 2018 7:39 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
I've filled and recut. Its definitely an option, and may end up being a lot easier to deal with than a super wide tang.

Stewmac makes a tang crimper, to widen tang for instances like you're experiencing; I own one and it does a good job. But, it's also $87, so unless you're doing a lot of fret jobs, it may be cost prohibitive.

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 2:00 pm
by Chardo
Diane Kauffmds wrote:I've filled and recut. Its definitely an option, and may end up being a lot easier to deal with than a super wide tang.

Stewmac makes a tang crimper, to widen tang for instances like you're experiencing; I own one and it does a good job. But, it's also $87, so unless you're doing a lot of fret jobs, it may be cost prohibitive.
It just seems like filling and re cutting the slots is a big chore compared to finding the right sized frets. I will keep searching for the wire and see what I can get my hands on and measure my self.

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 2:00 pm
by Chardo
Diane Kauffmds wrote:I've filled and recut. Its definitely an option, and may end up being a lot easier to deal with than a super wide tang.

Stewmac makes a tang crimper, to widen tang for instances like you're experiencing; I own one and it does a good job. But, it's also $87, so unless you're doing a lot of fret jobs, it may be cost prohibitive.
It just seems like filling and re cutting the slots is a big chore compared to finding the right sized frets. I will keep searching for the wire and see what I can get my hands on and measure my self.
Thanks

Re: Neck reset Yamaha fg fret slot size

Posted: Mon Dec 24, 2018 5:47 pm
by Diane Kauffmds
Let me do some searching. If it's out there, I can usually find it.