Where to aquire antique rectangular frets?

[David Payne]

I restored a 1925 Martin 0-18K. Everything was saved as original and fully restored right down to the French polish, even after being left in an attic in Arizona for years (total meltdown, warped and cracks). I put way more into it than it is worth because I want to play it and it does sound wonderful. It came out looking like new except for the frets and fingerboard.

However, the frets were marginal and as such the saddle/bridge is too low. Also, I will eventually wear them down to nothing. Where can I get the tangless rectangular (cross section) frets so I can keep it original?

BTW, Frank...I saw your refret job using rectangular frets but I didn't see a material source referenced. I have searched the internet, called suppliers and even Martin. No one even seems to know what kind of frets I am referring to.

Thanks,

Dave

[Tim Mace]

Make yur own out of perfectly good ones?

[David Payne]

I am trying to find the raw material. I don't have any nickel silver that is milled/extruded to .050" wide and fit into a .050" slot. The original frets have no tang and are not rounded at the crown but square. I think I am misunderstanding your reply.

Thanks,

Dave

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Dave, You are referring to the old Martin "Bar" frets. I too am looking for some for my 1857 2 1/2 17 so I will be interested if anyone has the information your seeking. I think it was Frank who wrote an article some years back regarding correcting neck relief issues using different sized stock, maybe that was Dan Erlewine, not sure (old age).

[David Payne]

There is an article about Frank's restoration of a 30's era Martin on frets.com that had the bar frets. It was very complete but did not mention where to get stock to make the frets.

For folks who have not run across this issue I will try to attach a picture or two.

Right now I just feel so fortunate to have this guitar to play. However if the frets were new and taller and the saddle higher the sound transmission would even b better.

[Frank Ford]

Bar fret material is available from T.J.Thompson. Matin got tired of providing it, so they turned over that stuff to him. Part of the deal was for them to refer people to him for bar frets, but mostly they fall down on that one. In fact, their head of sourcing contacted me last year looking for the fret wire, unaware that he had it.

Contact him at: [e-mail]

Where Martin had it in three sizes, I believe he has a dozen.

[David Payne]

Frank,

Thanks so much. You are a fountain of knowledge.

Dave
http://home.comcast.net/~payne4229/

[Eric Steven Johansen]

Frank, You are a godsend, as much for your deep fountain of knowledge, as for your endless supply of energy, to create beautiful websites like this one, all the while caring for and saving some of the best instruments out there. I thank you and so does my Martin. Best regards, Fish

[Ron Frazier]

I have used a piece or two of silver solder. I don't remember the size of it tho.

I have a 0 18 1916 neck that has a piece of fingerboard on it and the neck block with the searle # with the square frets . I want to build a body to fit it and will go the bar frets with it. I have run a piece through the thickness sander by running it at a angle.

Ron

[Chris Sisson]

I needed some a couple years ago, I needed to replace one missing fret and didn't have a tool at the time to get the width. CF Martin sent me all three sizes that were used.