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| BMG red special zero fret question http://w-ww.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10101&t=54273 |
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| Author: | Dave Baley [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:08 pm ] |
| Post subject: | BMG red special zero fret question |
I am doing a setup on a brand new BMG guitars Red Special. I noted that the zero fret is WAY higher than the other frets so the open strings sit very high above the fret plane. This doesn't make sense to me from a playability point of view and is contrary to how I have seen zero frets in the past. It does not seem to be a mistake. What would be the advantage to design a guitar with a very high zero fret that makes fretting more difficult and makes intonation etc worse? I'm just unable to come up with an explanation. Anybody have a reason for this or experience with this? Dave |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 1:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
Poor manufacturing choices. |
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| Author: | Dave Rickard [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 2:36 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
I've used a zero fret on a couple of parlor guitars and the zero fret ended up the same height as the other frets |
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| Author: | Chris Pile [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:12 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
Yes, zero frets should be the same height as all the frets - not higher. Some manufacturers don't get the message. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:19 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
Most of the setups I do on new guitars need the frets to be leveled if you want a good playing neck. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro |
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| Author: | Colin North [ Tue Jul 27, 2021 3:48 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
Interestingly recently saw a zero fret offering with an offset crown, presumably to help with intonation. https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/sintoms-zero-fret-with-tang-2-5mm-wide-1-39mm-high-25-nickel-curved-piece.html |
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| Author: | profchris [ Wed Jul 28, 2021 6:18 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
I like zero frets. My zero fret is the same size as all the others, but I only level the playing frets and not the zero. This leaves it a fraction higher than the rest. If I were really good at fret work it could be levelled with the rest, but leaving it a fraction higher helps reduce string rattle at the 1st and 2nd if the player has a heavy right hand. Or at least, that's my thinking. |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jul 28, 2021 7:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
The way I look at it the zero fret is just another fret. If you don't have string rattle when you're fretting the the first or second fret then you won't have string rattle on a level zero fret. |
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| Author: | berberiv [ Wed Jul 28, 2021 8:19 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
SteveSmith wrote: The way I look at it the zero fret is just another fret. If you don't have string rattle when you're fretting the the first or second fret then you won't have string rattle on a level zero fret. To Steve’s comment: That would seem to be the case, but when you fret the string, you exert downward pressure that may cause it to arch up slightly over the next fret and not buzz. Of course, there is also pressure at the nut because of the headstock angle, but my guess is that because this is always present, the string settles in (gets slightly bent) at the nut, the arch disappears. That this arching of the string occurs is demonstrated by the fact that you can often remove buzzing by simply fretting harder. Viktor Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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| Author: | SteveSmith [ Wed Jul 28, 2021 9:06 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: BMG red special zero fret question |
I agree the arch is there and it is also there on the nut. If the nut slots are flat, filing them at an angle can increase the clearance just a bit over the first fret maybe saving the cost/time for a new nut on an inexpensive guitar. I do a lot of setups but very few are zero frets but I have had no complaints from my clients. Regardless, everyone has their methods and as long as you like the results then all is good. |
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