Adding Faux Frets

[FLATROCK HILL]

Hi All, Before asking this question, I did a search and was unable to find much in the way of usable information. Here goes:
I have a couple of mandolins that have had their 'Floridas' scooped by previous owners. I wonder what method might be used to add some fake frets. The faux frets on my Northfield look to have been painted, or at least (I should say) they are not raised in any way. Anyone know how they do it?

Thank You.

[sebastiaan56]

Inlay similar coloured wire.

[amowry]

Yes, I use square silver wire. You can order it in many sizes, so you should be able to get it to fit the fret slots, and then you can just press it right in.

[FLATROCK HILL]

Thanks for the replies. I don't think there is enough material left after the 'scalloping' to cut slots, but I'll take a look.

[barry k]

prior to scooping, I use maple veneer strips in the slots, superglued, then scallop the extension roughing with a dremel

[Phil Goodson]

I have one mando with maple inlayed faux frets, one with white binding strips for the FFs, and one with square silver wire inlayed for the FFs.
I think the silver wire looks best. Most natural looking continuation of the normal frets IMO.

[Ivan Kelsall]

As an owner of a mandolin with 'faux frets',a question please. What's the reason behind adding back fret 'markers' in the scooped area of the fingerboar when you've removed the real ones ?.Personally,i really dislike the look of 'imitation' frets. IMHO,they look awful & serve no purpose at all. I understand absolutely that this is a matter of personal opinion,but what's the attraction in faux frets to some people ?,
Ivan

[Paul Busman]

I agree that fake frets on a scooped Florida don't make any sense. If you MUST have something there, how about an interesting inlay of some sort?

[Ron McMillan]

I don't see that a scooped fretboard extension gains anything from the obvious fakery of faux frets - but that's purely a matter of taste. I had the fretboard extension scooped on my no-brand F5, and in my opinion it looks great without anything there to hark back to the totally useless, completely decorative frets that have been removed.

ron

[Bernie Daniel]

I agree that fake frets on a scooped Florida don't make any sense. If you MUST have something there, how about an interesting inlay of some sort?

Great idea! For example your initials or a nickname? Might work for some.

But, for myself, I think I'd do what I have done in the past scooped extensions -- leave it alone!

[Phil Goodson]

OBVIOUSLY there's no reason to do this except for the look!
I happen to LIKE the look! So there.

But not enough to go back and change it after it was already scooped.

[Pete Jenner]

I don't see the point but that's just me.

[jmp]

Dumb question: why did the florida get its frets scooped out in the 1st place?

[BradKlein]

Dumb question: why did the florida get its frets scooped out in the 1st place?

Many players dislike the 'click' of the pick making contact with the fretboard when played over that spot, and that's why it's sometimes modified. I personally like faux frets in the scooped upper reaches.

[Marty Jacobson]

Some fretboards have relatively deep slots in a relatively thin board. I saw a board recently on a very high end mandolin which must have only been .080" thick. Assuming .060" tall fret tang, there's less than 1/32" (thats under 1mm, Pete ) left once the slots are removed. So you either have to fill with black filler, which will always be slightly visible due to seasonal shifting and differnces in sheen and texture, or you fill with faux frets.

[Pete Jenner]

Thanks Marty I was feeling a bit left out. You're a very inclusive chap.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Paul - Re.your idea of having a nice piece of inlay work on the 'scoop'. I've seen several instances of exactly that. One of the nicest was a custom inlay showing a leaping trout for a guy who was a keen fly fisherman,
Ivan