BS: Formula for fret placement

Subject: Formula for fret placement
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 09:08 PM

I'm planning to build another instrument soon. Basically a tenor guitar only with a mando type body and four groups of paired strings. Does anyone know the formula for fret locations? I'm thinking of a 24" scale with a pin bridge. Mahogany neck, back and sides, redwood or spruce top, ebony bridge and 12 fret clear of the body finger board.

Ideas and suggestions are welcome. I'm trying to aacomodate my diminishing finger dexterity and stay active instrumentally as long as I can.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 09:35 PM

Here's one web based Don that I played with and looks to be pretty decent and easy. I like the compensator function. I tried several scale lengths where I have a known on my cjart here and this thing works pretty well.

EMI On-Line Fret Placement Calculator

There is another, but I checked it and its the same, but does not give you the stretch compensation option.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:17 PM

Thanks Pat,

For what ever reason I can't get this calculator to erun for me. Can you do a 24" scale calculation and send iot to me?

I'd take any advice re: fingerboard with, string pairs and placement, even wood choices, I'm leaning to Black walnut now.

Don

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: catspaw49
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:22 PM

No problem Don....I'll do it now and get it out to you. BTW, Karen is dearly in love with the bracelet and getting lots of compliments!! Many thanks and I will send the other one back on Friday.

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: DonMeixner
Date: 28 Feb 01 - 10:28 PM

Thanks Pat.

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: Hollowfox
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 02:12 PM

As I recall, Howie Mitchell's book How to Build a Dulcimer and Play It (After a Fashion) (published by Folk Legacy; available with or without the recording) has something on this. I think that he worked it out to imagine the fretboard as the hypotenuse of a 1:17 right triangle. By measuring the short leg's length onto the hypotenuse/fretboard, you get another 1:17 triangle. Continue until you run out of fretboard. Considering that the book was written before pocket calculators were commonplace, htis is some neat trick.

Subject: RE: BS: Formula for fret placement
From: Jon W.
Date: 01 Mar 01 - 06:50 PM

I've written a Visual Basic (Windows) program called WFret that not only prints out charts showing fret spacing for any scale length, but also prints out templates you can glue to your fretboard blank so you won't go blind trying to mark the fret positions before you slot. It's available for free download at the Musical Instrument Makers Forum, www.mimf.com. You might have to register (also free) to gain access to the software library. Warning - it's about 3MB so it takes a while to download - this is because of all the fancy Window handling code libraries.

The 1/17 ratio is inaccurate - 1/18 is closer, the actual value is 1/17.817.