Fret Wire Questions

[soliver]

For my first build, I used the "Small" fret wire available at Stew Mac, but for my second, I'd like to use bigger fret wire. Is what I see most frequently used on modern mandolins the SM "Medium"? If so, the size listed on the SM site is .080" to .095" ... (https://www.stewmac.com/luthier-tool...-fretwire.html)

I was looking on International Violin (I have some things to order from there) and they carry what they call Accu Fret wire with dimensions listed: 0.109" Width 0.036" height (https://www.internationalviolin.com/...archtop-nickel)

Is that comparable to the SM medium?... Has anyone used this fret wire? Is it good stuff or no?

Looking for the knowledge of the mando luthier collective.

Thanks in advance!

[sunburst]

.080" width and .035" to .040" height is what amounts to "standard" fret wire these days for most acoustic instruments (including mandolins). The .0109" X .036" wire would be low/wide electric guitar wire IMO.

[Nick Gellie]

Look up the Jescar 147 designation. I found this on Australian Luthier Supplies website and confirmed it later on the Jescar website.

[riverview]

I have been using StewMac-0147. I think it has a width of around 2mm.

[Mike Conner]

.080" width and .035" to .040" height is what amounts to "standard" fret wire these days for most acoustic instruments (including mandolins). The .0109" X .036" wire would be low/wide electric guitar wire IMO.

As sunburst stated, the 0.080" wire seems to be the standard for mandolins. Since this is a new build, consider that mandolins are especially prone to fret wear with the usual nickel-silver wire. I have been using gold EVO wire whenever possible for refrets and new builds. The wire is harder and longer wearing than nickel-silver but easily worked with standard tools, and I happen to like the brassy appearance. 0.080" width for mandolins, 0.090" width for guitars and octave mandolin. I only use the regular nickel-silver if the player insists on a traditional appearance.

[rcc56]

I have used the Stew-mac #147 wire, .080" wide x .040" high on many mandolins with great results.

The #6130 Accu-Fret wire from International Violin is a low jumbo guitar wire, and I do not recommend using it on a mandolin.

The largest wire I have ever used on a mandolin was the Stew-mac #141, .095" wide x .043" high. While it is narrower than the #6130, I still considered it to be significantly oversized for a mandolin. In the upper registers it left barely enough room for a player to finger a note, and it looked rather peculiar on a mandolin. It's a good wire to use on a guitar, but a poor choice for a mandolin.

If you're going to order from Int'l, I recommend that you order the #6230 wire, which is .080" wide by .043" high.

[Rob Roy]

Sunburst is correct, 0.080" wide wire probably goes on 90% of new mandolins these days. I'm also with Mike, EVO is the only wire I recommend these days and has gone into the last 7 refrets I've done. I just put some of the narrow EVO (0.053" wide I believe) into and old Stelling mando for a customer. I'm curious to see how well it resists grooves. I've got some medium EVO in a mandolin for over 6 years now and it's hardly showing any wear.

[HonketyHank]

FWIW, I have found the charts and info on this page to be useful for comparison of various fretwires: http://www.lutherie.net/fret.chart.html

[soliver]

Thanks everyone!... Will take all this under advisement!... Will shoot for the 147 wire... I am using gold finished hardware so the Evo gold might be a good choice, but is more speedy than I want to use on this instrument.

Also, anyone have any recommendations for Carbon Fiber rods? For #001 I used a 1/4 x 3/8 x 18" rod form LMI for $28 + shipping... Amazon has a 6mm x 10mm x 400 mm rod (which translates to 0.23 x 0.39 x 15.74") for about $10 less... anyone else have a better source?

[crooksj]

Check out Dragon Plate. Last time I ordered five 0.125,0.500,24” for $7 ea. Plus &11 shipping.

[SammyV]

Check out Dragon Plate. Last time I ordered five 0.125,0.500,24” for $7 ea. Plus &11 shipping.

I second the Dragon Plate recommendation, though I do believe they have a minimum order required so you may want to stock up.

[soliver]

Thanks guys, is Dragon plate a manufacturer or online retailer?

[SammyV]

Thanks guys, is Dragon plate a manufacturer or online retailer?

Both, they are a manufacturer but also do direct sales online which is why they are cheaper than everyone else. https://dragonplate.com/ NFI