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#1
10-02-2014, 06:35 PM
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Question about fret height
The frets on one of my Martins seem really small. I measured the and they're .040" tall. Is this low, or is it a common fret height for Martins?
I noticed this when I realized I was getting repeated buzzing on most of the strings id 1) I didn't press harder, and 2 if I didn't press the string right up behind the fret. If I press a given note and try to place my find centered between two frets, the notes tend to buzz. The fix is to either press harder (but the note goes sharp) or fret it immediately behind the fret. There is nothing wrong with the setup of this phenomenal guitar, and I never experience this with any of my other guitars, acoustic or electric. Lastly, I'm using 12's because even tough Martin recommends 13's, I'd rather put less stress on the instrument. But perhaps the larger string size of 13's would help facilitate truer noting. Any thoughts or info you can offer? Are these frets on the small side for the average Martin? Thanks. 
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#2
10-02-2014, 06:43 PM
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IMO lower frets are harder to fret cleanly, and especially on barres. Plus those 0.040" frets may be worn down in places. I like in the range of 0.043" to 0.045". Perhaps a refret is in order (and I would go with stainless steel or EVO gold material).
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#3
10-02-2014, 07:24 PM
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That is the standard fret size for Martin. Actually, they are probably a bit shorter, around 0.037". Martin's stock fret wire is just below 0.040".
Whether you like or not is a personal choice. I've played Martins for so long it just feels normal. Frets below 0.030 bother me, but I can play them down to that height. My 000-18 Norman Blake has taller frets. I like them, but probably not enough to refret my other Martins with the bigger wire. Fretting between the frets will certainly cause buzzing, but it will also make any guitar harder to play. I fret right next to the fret and have no issues. It shouldn't matter whether you use light or medium strings.
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#4
10-02-2014, 07:43 PM
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Quote:
Pheof, there's a great DVD from Homespun with the legendary Tony Rice-its the dual DVD Tony Rice Method: http://www.homespuntapes.com/Catalog...&ObjectType=27 Among other things, he discusses this exact thing-fretting right behind the fret-and shows it. Doing it that way, one only needs to touch the string to the fret and not the fretboard-makes things very easy, smooth, quick. hope that helps, and i highly recommend the above DVD set(i recommend all of Tony Rice DVD's that Homespun sales-all are wonderful and you will learn much). good luck d
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#5
10-02-2014, 08:21 PM
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Thanks peeps, great to know. I'm going to watch that video before the end of the night. I suppose I'm OK with it as long as I know it's not one of Martin's rare "oddballs". This is a brand new guitar, so no fret wear, and the .04" is consistent all the way up the neck.
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