Multiple Fretwire heights

[Tj Turner]

Hey all...

Maybe this is a completely dumb question. Has anyone used, or thought of using, different fretwire at different locations along the fretboard--i.e. using lower height fretwire after the neck joins the body? It would make the action higher there, but you I don't hang out on my acoustic above the 14th fret much. I guess with perfect setup it's a moot point, but it might give a little more leeway when setting things up?

And which fretwire are you guys using (brand, width, height?)?

Tj

[ken cierp]

While the idea of actually using different fret on the extension is a little complex, the goal you are trying to obtain "having more clearance 14 to 22" is really a common practice. Classical makers and some SS string builders taper the fret board at the sound board end -- thinner there then at the nut. Also taking off material and re-crowning those frets is done by many repair techs on a regular basis. And lastly -- there are plenty of guitars that have been made with no frets at all on the extension -- just shell or other ornamentation. I've had requests for that feature just a month or so ago.

[Bob Matthews]

I have been using the Evo gold from Jescar, it's very tough and hard but the quality is superb.
It takes a little more work when leveling and crowning but I think it's worth it as the frets will last many times longer that standard nickel silver (soft) wire, and it looks stunning when polished up!
http://jescar.com/fretwire.html#

[Tj Turner]

Nice Litmus...I may have to try that.

My guitar teacher had a good suggestion today. Like Ken said about a fretless fingerboard above the 14th fret, Mike recommended filling the already cut fret slots with something, like a white epoxy so they would contrast, and thus making a marked fretless portion to the board. I thought that was pretty interesting. I don't play my acoustic up there much, and when I do it's looking for single notes, so I'd have to land my finger right on the fret marker...

Tj

[Ken Hundley]

Or you could use some maple veneer, or some hardwood veneer, would look cool.

[Bob Matthews]

Yes, agree with Ken above, I would use maple veneer glued into the slots if was wanting to have that effect.
If you use epoxy you will find that the lines are not sharp and as defined as they could be due to the fact that epoxy will leach into any chip outs.

Bob