The scale length in decimal inches is the only thing that needs input from the user. Our fret calculator also gives you compensated bridge. From there, click on the calculate button and the fret slot measurements will be displayed. Many builders have found these fret and nut spacing calculators to be valuable over the years. Oct 05, 2012 the fret calculator allow you to save the fret template to your computer select save to disk pdf multipage and then print it. Ive been fretting and refretting guitars using the stewmac fret nippers for years, and theyre constantly getting destroyed especially with stainless steel frets, which i install a lot of. This specialized file dresses the ends of the frets after theyve bee.
They cut faster and smoother than most fret leveling files weve used, they work quickly, and theyre great for dressing and beveling fret ends. When building a guitar or bass and cutting your own fretboard slots versus buying a preslotted fretboard, its very important that the fret slots be cut accurately. Find the proper fret position with the official stewartmacdonald fret calculator. Mar, 2017 next generation fret files a whole new idea for crowning frets. Another odd convention for a dulcimer is that there is only one 6 12 fret installed even though there is an additonal space where one would be appropriate between fret and fret 14. Stewmac if youre calculating fret positions and bridge. Tools free delivery possible on eligible purchases. Please select your instrument class, and enter the scale length. Dan erlewine demos this tiny file for shaping the ends of guitar frets banjos and other stringed instruments, too. If youre calculating fret positions and bridge placement, you dont need to do the math.
A link to our free, online fret scale calculator for determining fret and bridge placements and saddle compensation. I use jaws i, ii, and iii, and a hammer, depending on my mood, the guitar, and practicality. Problems with my preslotted fretboard from stewmac. If you find these useful, id be happy to hear about it. This 112 x 4 block filing length is 712 holds a removable finetooth flat file at the proper 35degree angle to bevel all the fret ends along the edge of the fingerboard. Our fret calculator also gives you compensated bridge placement only at. Tape the paper to your fret board, cut along the lines, and then you are ready to install frets. It doesnt print a template but will give distances in inches or mm, its more precise to choose mm. Please not that the type of instrument has no baring on the fret spacing. For an explanation of the gibson scale length changes over the years see. Dan erlewine demonstrates the stewmac fret puller on an old classical guitar fingerboard. Yafcalc calculates the distance to that extra 6 12 fret, but it is not normally installed on an instrument.
With a quick, smooth motion, this file angles the fret ends and makes them ready for fret dressing and polishing. Use these conversion calculators and quick reference charts to convert measurements to and from metric and saeenglish. This unique tool is based on a technique developed by repairman frank ford. Ive already plugged in the numbers into the stewmac fret calculator and as many of you know, it spits out the location of the bridge for a variety of bridge styles. Calculating fret positions liutaio mottola lutherie. Fretcalc plugin for imagej program allows pixelbypixel analysis of fret by acceptor photobleaching. The following calculator will calculate fret offsets from the nut for all frets of an instrument, given the scale length. Dec 23, 2009 the stewmac fret calculator can give you fret measurements for many different instruments. Jan 08, 20 if youre calculating fret positions and bridge placement, you dont need to do the math. Stewmac everything for building and repairing stringed.
Less money into making the cbg means more in your pocket at the end. This calc determines the forster or fluorescence resonance energy transfer efficiency and critical distance from the spectral overlap and other known parameters. Get adobe reader download the free adobe reader from. Here is a list of some online fret placement calculators i have found either useful or interesting. Fret transfers excitation energy from one molecule to another without a need for fluorescence and reabsorption. No matter how much i try, i just cant feel the fret set in and bottom out fully seat with a press like i do with a hammer.
Scale downloadable pdf fret charts for over 60 scale. The scale length of a guitar is always twice the length from the front of the nut or zero fret to the 12th fret. Luthier tools, guitar parts, and supplies for instrument builders, repair shops, hobbyists, and players worldwide. Im sick of having to buy a new nipper after almost every ss refret surely theres got to be a better one out there that doesnt get ruined so easily. Have you used our free online fret calculator for any of your projects yet.
Erick coleman shows demonstrates the stewmac fret slotting miter box. Next generation fret files a whole new idea for crowning frets. When measuring, always measure from the nut, its more precise that way. This template provides accurate fret positioning for gibson 24. If you have excel or another spreadsheet, it is simple to calculate any fret scale in seconds. Issue 242 may 07, 2015 inspecting a historic guitar. Stewmac has a fantastic online fret calculator also. Bridge location, stewmac fret calculator question my les.
I designed this page to calculate where each fret slot should be cut, measured both from the nut to fret, and from the fret to bridge. Simply enter the the number of frets and the scale length in millimetres then. I had precut some fret wire and cut them just a little over the width of the neck. Remember that the line at the top of the template is where the nut should be.
Guitar setup and repair tools, tutorials, fret leveling supplies, fret files and precision sanding beams for the worlds most demanding luthiers and guitarists. Fret specs 4 is a fret spacing calculator for the stringed instrument craftsman and luthier guitar makers will find this program very handy for custom scale length guitars. Works on a variety of slot widths simply vary the pressure as needed. Now, i can measure the 2 tubes i have here, but i wanted to know the rest. A simple method of calculating fret spacing is to use the factor 17. Electric ukulele land look up ahead, i see the ukulele land, soon youll understand. Jun 01, 2015 dan erlewine demonstrates the stewmac fret puller on an old classical guitar fingerboard. I did this once, but it was awkward so i bought the stewmac one after much deliberation. Now you can easily generate fret positions automagicaly. You enter the scale length and how many frets and fret specs will output the measurements for you in notepad. Using this calculator you specify the scale length for the other strings, then if you specify the fret number as, say, 2 it will return the offset from the. Each template is made of durable stainless steel and has notches for two different fret scales.
To calculate fret spacing for any instrument just enter in the scale length also known as the vibrating length. Bernie tusko has cracked the code on killer guitar performance and wants to teach you everything he knows and even hook you up with the innovative tools to do it right. Fretcalc uses thresholding fret th algorithm to exclude from data analysis pixels that do not match userdefined thresholds of donor andor acceptor fluorescence intensity, bleaching efficiency, and % fret. Same day shipping, free technical support, 100% satisfaction guaranteed. Measure fret spacingprintable fret template handmade music. Our fret calculator also gives you compensated bridge placement only at stewmac.
It will give you correct scale for different body and bridge combos too. However, certain instrument have quite idiosyncratic designs. Designed for use with a luthiers miter box, or your shop table saw. I have provided both a nut slot calculator and a fret calculator here on my site. Smooth, nonmarring edges glide on the fingerboard while the finetoothed sides deburr and round the fret. Free cigar box guitar fret calculator the howto repository. Need to know where those frets go on your next cigar box guitar. I started getting curious exactly what their tang and barb sizes were. Measuring the distance from the nut to the saddles is not exact because the saddles where moved during setting the intonation.
Dec 11, 2015 need to know where those frets go on your next cigar box guitar. Fret calculation program download mandolin cafe forum. Calculates the nuttofret distance optionally calculates the frettofret distance. We offer 2 saws and custom fret scale templates for guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, and ukulele. The first thing a player feels is the fret ends, so always shape them with this file. If you know your scale in millimeters you have to convert to decimal inches.
This page accurately calculates the position of the fret slots for guitars and basses. Calculate fret placement for guitar, bass, banjo, mandolin, dulcimer, and more in inches or metric. Selecting your instrument also calculates the bridge position for proper intonation. Buy stewmac fret rocker tool designed by stewmac, the original stainless steel fret rocker. Our fret leveling files have singlecut teeth with a steeper angle to eliminate chatter. Please note, the fret calculator will not convert scale lengths, you can use our measurement converter to convert your scale length.
All of our tools are suitable for use on stainlesssteel fretwire, with the exception of our fret tang nippers. Then select how many frets the instrument will have. Weve created a free calculator so you can do it right. I use the stewmac calculator and have had no problemsbut i also am a. Mar 22, 2014 problems with my preslotted fretboard from stewmac.
Tools for fretting order today with stewmax free shipping. This file work quickly to level frets or fingerboards, leaving a smooth finish. Zfiles wont mess up your carefullyleveled fret tops because they only touch the sides of the frets. Stewmac has a great chart for explaining the difference sizes of fret wire, but use it too look up what you want on ebay to save some money.