OFF LIST [tuning] Re: Any suggestions for converting an electric to micro?

Igs thanks!!

I'll give that a shot - any hints on de-fretting?

Chris

On Tue, Jun 8, 2010 at 10:32 PM, cityoftheasleep <igliashon@...>wrote:

>
>
> Here is the absolutely best and most useful fret-placement calculator in
> the world:
>
> http://www.fretfind.ekips.org/2d/standard.php
>
> It is, to my knowledge, the only fret-placement calculator that supports
> non-parallel and split frets. It even loads scala files!
>
> BTW, before you get out the glue and wire, I'd suggest trying a preliminary
> round with 80-lb-test fishing line wrapped in a spiral. You can tie one end
> to one of the tuning pegs and the other end to one of the screws anchoring
> the neck to the body (slightly loosened to expose the shaft, and the
> tightened down once the fishing line is tied tight). As long as you wrap it
> tight, it'll intonate as well as wire and is a good way of checking the
> intonation of your measurements. You can use a razor blade or kitchen knife
> to make little vertical cuts on the side of the fretboard to act as grooves
> to hold the fishing line in place, and these cuts will be good landmarks for
> when you put in the wire. It takes all of maybe two hours if you have a good
> ruler in 1/100" scale, possibly less time if you really know what you're
> doing.
>
> HTH!
>
> -Igs
>
>
> --- In tuning@yahoogroups.com <tuning%40yahoogroups.com>, "christopherv"
> <chrisvaisvil@...> wrote:
> >
> > I just purchased a used Fender Squire strat copy ($60) in order to make a
> microtonal electric. My intent is to use the Dante Rosati method of super
> gluing wire to use as frets. (Which I found out about via Andrew Heathwaite)
> >
> > So does anyone have any suggestions - and one thing I need to find is the
> microtonal guitar fret placement calculator.
> >
> > Thanks,
> >
> > Chris
> >
> > PS - anyone know anything about this reference from the evil wikipedia?
> >
> > In order to perfectly solve all intonation problems of guitars; or allow
> guitarists to use a variety of different musical temperaments (or to play
> microtonal music) it is necessary for the frets on the guitar to be
> adjustable. Work in this field has already been done in the 19th century,
> when Thomas Perronet Thompson (1783–1869) wrote a work on the "Enharmonic
> Guitar"[30], with ideas which were used by Panormo[31]. Lacote also built a
> "guitare enharmonique"[32] with movable frets.
> >
> > PPS - here is the guitar
> >
> > http://notonlymusic.com/board/download/file.php?id=401&t=1
> >
>
>
>

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, Chris Vaisvil <chrisvaisvil@...> wrote:
>
> Igs thanks!!
>
> I'll give that a shot - any hints on de-fretting?
>

In a pinch, some large toe-nail clippers can do the job, but fret-rippers are pretty cheap tools that you can buy from any luthier supply shop. When ripping them out, you might heat the frets a bit with a low-watt soldering iron to soften the glue, but that's not necessary. Afterward, make sure to do a careful job filling the slots with wood-putty. I'd suggest even adding a coat of lacquer afterward since it's hard to find wood-putty that matches with rosewood at the local hardware store.

-Igs

Hey Igs, so far I have not found single filament 80 - lb line. However,
I've found ample 50 lb filament.

Is the thickness of the 80 lb line critical? - did you perhaps find out by
trial and error - or was that just what seemed right?

I'm trying to determine if 50 lb is doomed. Though for $3 it isn't a lot to
risk.

Thanks,

Chris

On Wed, Jun 9, 2010 at 3:43 AM, cityoftheasleep <igliashon@...>wrote:

>
>
> --- In tuning@yahoogroups.com <tuning%40yahoogroups.com>, Chris Vaisvil
> <chrisvaisvil@...> wrote:
> >
> > Igs thanks!!
> >
> > I'll give that a shot - any hints on de-fretting?
> >
>
> In a pinch, some large toe-nail clippers can do the job, but fret-rippers
> are pretty cheap tools that you can buy from any luthier supply shop. When
> ripping them out, you might heat the frets a bit with a low-watt soldering
> iron to soften the glue, but that's not necessary. Afterward, make sure to
> do a careful job filling the slots with wood-putty. I'd suggest even adding
> a coat of lacquer afterward since it's hard to find wood-putty that matches
> with rosewood at the local hardware store.
>
> -Igs
>
>
>

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, Chris Vaisvil <chrisvaisvil@...> wrote:
> Hey Igs, so far I have not found single filament 80 - lb line. However,
> I've found ample 50 lb filament.
>
> Is the thickness of the 80 lb line critical? - did you perhaps find out by
> trial and error - or was that just what seemed right?

50 is probably insufficient. 60's probably the bare minimum, I think. I went to my local CVS drug store (a big one that sells fishing rods) and the 80-lb was the thickest I could find. It looked just about fret-sized. I bought some 60 but didn't try it because the 80 worked so well...but the 60 *looked* like it might function.

> I'm trying to determine if 50 lb is doomed. Though for $3 it isn't a lot to
> risk.

Well, give it a shot, and if it fails, at least we know what gauge is too fine! I'd be happy to mail you what I have left of my 80-lb (it's a LOT) if you can't find any near you, since I don't expect to be fishing anytime soon.

-Igs

I may take you up on your offer for the 80lb filament though you'd think a
city the size of Indianapolis would have it.
On the other hand one doesn't find huge fish out here in the land of corn
and soy.

Another thought I had was using the line weed cutters (whackers) use. That
is hard and fairly thick.
A bit more expensive.

Chris

On Thu, Jun 10, 2010 at 12:22 AM, cityoftheasleep
<igliashon@...>wrote:

>
>
> --- In tuning@yahoogroups.com <tuning%40yahoogroups.com>, Chris Vaisvil
> <chrisvaisvil@...> wrote:
> > Hey Igs, so far I have not found single filament 80 - lb line. However,
> > I've found ample 50 lb filament.
> >
> > Is the thickness of the 80 lb line critical? - did you perhaps find out
> by
> > trial and error - or was that just what seemed right?
>
> 50 is probably insufficient. 60's probably the bare minimum, I think. I
> went to my local CVS drug store (a big one that sells fishing rods) and the
> 80-lb was the thickest I could find. It looked just about fret-sized. I
> bought some 60 but didn't try it because the 80 worked so well...but the 60
> *looked* like it might function.
>
> > I'm trying to determine if 50 lb is doomed. Though for $3 it isn't a lot
> to
> > risk.
>
> Well, give it a shot, and if it fails, at least we know what gauge is too
> fine! I'd be happy to mail you what I have left of my 80-lb (it's a LOT) if
> you can't find any near you, since I don't expect to be fishing anytime
> soon.
>
> -Igs
>
>
>