_____16. Now you are ready to install the frets. Place your FRETBOARD on a good firm surface for this opera-
tion. A flimsy table top will not do. Better to work on a concrete floor or a cement block. Otherwise, your wood
will just bounce around as you try to pound the frets into place.
Begin by placing the long length of fretwire over one of the slots cut in the fretboard, so the end hangs over the edge
of the wood just 1/16” or so. Position the fretwire so that the ‘tang” will be driven down in the fret slot (see diagram).
Use a hammer to lightly tap the fretwire into the slot, until the crown of the fret contacts the wood surface.
HINT: Tap one end of the wire in first, then the other end, and finally the middle. DO NOT OVERWORK THE
WIRE! You should be able to install each fret with four or five taps, total.
NOTE: The fret-wire is fairly soft metal,
so if it bends the wrong way or gets kinked, you
can easily straighten it again with a plyers.
When the fretwire is securely held by the wood, use a wire
cutter to clip off the excess, as close to the wood as possible.
Proceed to the next fret slot in the same way, and so on until
all frets are installed.
_____18. File (or sand) the ragged ends of the frets
down until they are smooth and flush with the sides of
the FRETBOARD. If you happen to have access to a
belt sander, you’ll find it very helpful for this part of the
project. The fretwire is soft enough metal to work very
easily with a sanding belt. Be careful, however, not to
gouge the edge of the fretboard!
_____19. File (or sand) a 45 degree bevel at the ends
of the frets, as shown, working the file in a downward
motion only, to avoid lifting the frets up.
_____17. After the frets are installed, we like to look them over very carefully to make sure each one fits all the way
down against the wood. If one fret stands higher than another, it may cause buzzing problems later when you try
playing the dulcimer. Now is the time to take care of the problem. We generally find that a few good taps from the
hammer are sufficient to seat any frets that are too high. But make sure you are working on a very firm surface. A
bouncy table will only make this job impossible.
_____20. Use a flat mill file to level the tops of the frets now too. This will prevent problems of buzzing strings
later. Lay the file on the frets and work it back and forth until each fret shows some sign of wear.
FRETBOARD
11
