Frets and Guitars

Subject: Frets and Guitars
From: MK
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 01:18 PM

Hi all. I was just perusing Fret's Website to see what was new, and came across a very interesting and detailed article about the subtleties and nuances of frets and how they affect a guitar's intonation and performance. I thought, in addition to myself, there might be a few of you out there who would enjoy reading the article as well. Cheers.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 03:44 PM

Great site, Michael K. I printed it off in its entirety. My old Martin will have to be re-dressed some time soon- would you trust the job to any local luthier or should it be sent 'home'? Ebbie

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: MK
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 03:55 PM

For a dressing, I would trust it to any authorized Martin Warranty and Repair center. (I just had one done recently myself.)

This shouldn't require a trip to Nazareth, unless there are no respected luthiers in your neck of the woods....but there's got to be.

....so what have you got?.....I'm always interested in discussions pertaining to old Martins. It's the ''guitar nerd'' in me. 8-)

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Amos
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 06:40 PM

I had a prewar "parlor" Martin worked on by a local genius here in Escondido, CA, who showed insight, craft, knowledge and care of the kind that Martins from long ago richly deserve.

He did a wonderful job on her, and would have even done more if Ihad given him the budget for it -- but I fell in love with a Dreadnought in his shop and had to use my money on that.

So now I have two grand Martins, and I would trust this guy with either of them for anything. He's a wizard. I've lost his name at the moment but I will dig it up again if anyone needs aluthier in So Cal.

A

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Ebbie
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 10:29 PM

Mine is a 1971 12-fret D35S, which is not everyone's cup of tea but but I love the rich, balanced bass-y sound. We do have a luthier here but he's very busy. It's scary to think of someone perhaps changing the sound.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 10:43 PM

To me, my repair guy (Bruce Dowd in Toronto) is as important as my dentist, doctor, and favourite restaurant!

If it's just a fret job Ebbie, shouldn't change the sound.

Rick

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: MK
Date: 05 Feb 00 - 10:50 PM

I agree 100% percent with Rick, Ebbie.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: canoer
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:19 AM

Anyone know of Mudcat-style web pages about guitars, questions like what woods are good for what tones, what types of strings people have had good and bad luck with and in what applications, vintage information for names like Martin and Guild -- stuff like that? Thanx.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: JedMarum
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:21 AM

check out the website linked in Michael's initial post of this thread. It's a great site with lots of useful info, well laid out, too.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 01:26 AM

Hi canoer.....Do yourself a favor and check back here too. Do a forum search on brand names and also one on woods, etc. One of the wood threads can be found by typing -Rosewood- in the search. For brands, just tyoe in the brand name.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Ebbie
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 06:26 PM

Thanks, Rick Fielding and Michael K. I just didn't want to do an obviously stoopid t'ing.

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 07:48 PM

Oh yeah..........Michael, I hope that Rick doesn't peruse the article too carefully or he'll notice that this poor guy employs the slackard, lazy, amateurish, finger-gymnastics encouraging position for the "G" chord.....much like ol' slackard, lazy, amateurish, finger-gymnastics needing me. If he has seen this picture, you may want to check up on the boy as he may be in a bout of apoplexy resulting in total catatonic shock. Heather may not notice since he's that way a lot, but this could be serious!!!

Spaw

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: MK
Date: 06 Feb 00 - 08:56 PM

'Spaw.......last time I saw him (last week) he was still anatomically and catatonically correct.......but he WAS contemplating wearing a surgical mask during our session as I made the fatal mistake of showing up, with a cold.

(Ebbie, you're very welcome.)

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: hrodelbert
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 12:05 AM

Loved the "Frets" article, however am I the only one who owns a Washburn (I own 3, actually) But I did choose them because they had 'EQUIS' pickups - quite excellent!

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Rick Fielding
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:24 AM

Warning Spaw. Play your "G" chord that way if you must but the next time you're playing a hot version of Beaumont Rag...you'll be sorry!

Rick

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:52 AM

Actually I'm sorry most of the time, but that's another story. And I plat "G" about half the time correctly, even after making concerted efforts to do so all the time....which reminds me.............

When I first started I think G was the first chord I learned (incorrectly) but I swear I got it from a ghord book that way! I haven't really looked at one lately regarding a first position G but the two I have both show it in the proper position. But I'm SURE I would have done it that way if the book I had at that time had SHOWN it that way. And I know I'm not alone even among far better players who also do it incorrectly and accompany themselves with excessive left (and right) hand gymnastics on bass runs and such as I do. I'm thinking it was maybe even good ol' Mel or some such thing. I know its a dumb question, but has anyone got a chord book/chart showing "G" with the index, middle and ring, fingering?

If not, I'll just be checking into the Young Center for a few days and do some tipling with Skiff.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Art Thieme
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 09:57 AM

I've been thinking of removing all the frets from my guitar. They're nothing but speed bumps and get in the way something fierce.

Art

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: Willie-O
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 10:10 AM

Ghord book indeed. Henh.

Rick, I'm pretty sure that to 'Spaw "Beaumont Rag" is a kind of convertible top...

No help at all, for I am...
Willie-O

Subject: RE: Frets and Guitars
From: catspaw49
Date: 07 Feb 00 - 10:14 AM

Its really a tabloid newspaper in Texas.

Spaw