Who to go to for microtonal guitar fretting?

So, it's come to the point where I really feel the need for an
acoustic microtonal instrument that I can really wrap my arms around
and bond with. Currently, my plan is to have built a 31edo classical
guitar. The big question for me is, who to do the fretwork?

I contacted pavan guitars ( pavanguitars.com ) and Tom Prisloe said he
can have a Spanish shop guitar constructed for me sans frets, which is
nice because they're well priced instruments, and the reviews are
good. For whatever reason, the idea of ripping frets out of a good
guitar bugs me a little bit, and I want a beautiful, no-filler
fretboard, because I'm silly and superficial like that.

And so that leaves me with the question of who to do the refretting.
Price is somewhat of an issue here, but I'm also willing to pay to get
it do accurately. A local contact who has confirmed their ability to
do this is Ralph Novax (of Novax guitars, the multi-scale guys). I
asked him a while ago... but I think it was around $300, and would be
done by programming his fret slotting machines. Neil Haverstick has
had all his guitars done by John Starrett, and also posted about some
work done by Edward Victor Dick. I've seen mention of a few other
luthiers in this list, but failed to bookmark them. There's also this
guy I found with google: http://www.geocities.com/yahnuit/micro.html .

Does anyone have anyone else I should keep in mind? Also, aside from
comparing quotes and general reputation, is there anything I should
ask about? I'd want to make sure the instrument played reasonably in
tune, including intonating at the bridge. Thanks for any advice!

We have used lotsa different luthiers in the UK and US, (all have
been perfect so far - fingers crossed) for fretting over the years,
and these observations/hints my help you.
Don't attempt to DIY; I have tried and it is very difficult and
frustrating.

1. As a player myself, I have found that playing with more than 25
frets per octave is "difficulty" as you have to be very precise with
your finger placement.
2. 31edo is an "OK" sorta meantone compromise, but don't expect it to
play the notes and harmonies that you "hear in your head" very
accurately.
3. I recommend new LucyTuned guitar players to begin with 19 frets
per octave and add more frets as they become more competent and need
the extra frets.
4. As the frets are very close in the second octave, I use mandolin
fret wire for the second octave.
5. The "dots" on the surface fretboard may need to be moved, as may
the mark which you see whilst playing. In your case, as it will be a
virgin fretboard, remember to put marks on both the fretboard and the
edge which you see whilst playing.

These webpages may be useful for you.

General guitar info.:

http://www.lucytune.com/guitars_and_frets/frets.html

Diagram at:

http://www.lucytune.com/guitars_and_frets/frets_1931.html

Spreadsheet to calculate nut to fret distances.
linked .xls page excel from these pages.

How 31edo relates to LucyTuning and meantone in terms of Large and
small intervals.

http://www.lucytune.com/tuning/equal_temp.html

Here is a short video of a very competent guitarist playing a 19 fret
per octave LucyTuned 12 string after just a couple of hours of practice.

http://www.lullabies.co.uk/LullRehears.mov

Best wishes and have fun with your endeavour.

Charles Lucy - lucy@... ------------ Promoting global
harmony through LucyTuning ------- for information on LucyTuning go to:
http://www.lucytune.com
for LucyTuned Lullabies, contest and Flash cartoon go to
http://www.lullabies.co.uk
Buy CD from:
http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/lucytuned2
Lullabies at iTunes (if you already have iTunes installed):
http://phobos.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?
a=5165209&s=143441
To install iTunes go to:
http://www.apple.com/itunes/affiliates/download/

[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

--- In MakeMicroMusic@yahoogroups.com, "Cody Hallenbeck"
<codyhallenbeck@...> wrote:
>
> So, it's come to the point where I really feel the need for an
> acoustic microtonal instrument that I can really wrap my arms around
> and bond with.

> I've seen mention of a few other
> luthiers in this list, but failed to bookmark them.

There is a page with a long bookmark list in the Wiki:

http://xenharmonic.wikispaces.com/microguitar
--
Hans Straub