Official Luthiers Forum!

Is there a common or standard fret wire size for classical guitars? I see that LMII sells a "nylon string" fret wire that is slightly wider and higher than the Gold EVO wire that I like to use. What makes it a "nylon string" wire. It has a lower nickel content (12% vs 18%) which makes it softer.

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A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA

Ricardo;
I find height to be very important because nylon strings can be easily
pressed out of tune if the wire is to high.
I use a.050 height wire that I level & recrown -they come out around
.043-5 high.
this helps me make a buzz free neck ;plus there is enough fret left for a future grind & polish.
I've tried lower wire-.043 to start;but players would say they were touching the f.b.wood and it felt & sounded NOT to their liking .

Just my 2 cents

Mike

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Mike Collins

What Mike said. Lately I've been using the LMI FWG110 gold, hi-crown (.057") larger fretwire and I really like it. It allows lots of room for levelling both now and in the future. The gold really is a nice touch and matches well with brass and gold tuner plates.

The feedback that I'm getting from some players is that it offers better barre results without a lot of effort and if you practice or play a gig for a few hours this is substantial. YMMV....

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Peter

There is a lot of player preference involved. I've mainly used the Stew-Mac 0148 medium wide by medium high, and I've had people say they've found it both too low and too high. If you know the buyer in advance, I think that is a question for them.

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Jim Kirby
kirby@udel.edu

I have had a number of players test my classicals and they were all happy with the fret size. I use Stewmac #149 as do the other classical builders I know. This is what they recommended unless a customer wanted something specific and they have been doing this a lot longer than I have. I would go with the harder (18%) fretwire.

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GEO
perpetual beginner

What are the specs on wire #149?

Mike

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Mike Collins

149 is one of the wide wire series. (.103" wide x .046" crown height)

I used 155 which is a medium fret a little narrower and .050" tall.

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Waddy

Photobucket Build Album Library

Sound Clips of most of my guitars

#155 is great wire!
I use it for everything !!!
#149 s(.103) width is a bit wide for me .
Thanks Waddy .

I just refretted a Spanish made Flamenco that cost $4000. in Spain
I used the 155 wire and the owner was beside himself because he could play the guitar without smashing his nails into the f.b. !!
The guitar came with wire .038 high !!
We all do things differently !!


Mike

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Mike Collins

Recently I've settled on LMI's FW74, 18%, 0.043 with 0.080". It doesn't match the SM versions.

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Build log

Alexandru, I've used FWG74 EVO on my steel string - looks real nice so I'll probably use it on my classical.

_________________
A higher purpose for wood.
Rich Smith
Issaquah, WA