Fret

#1. Field of the Invention

#This invention pertains to components for use with stringed instruments and relates in particular to frets which are inserted in the instrument neck.

#2. Description of the Prior Art

#FIG. 1 is an end elevation view of a prior art fret.

#FIG. 2 is an end elevation view of a fret made in accordance with this invention.

#FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a portion of the neck of a stringed instrument showing prior art frets in place beneath at least one string and including another portion of the instrument showing the junction point between string and bridge.

#Referring to FIG. 2, a fret 10 is disclosed which comprises a stem 11 and a cap 12. For comparison purposes, a prior art fret 13 is shown in FIG. 1. The fret 10 is ordinarily make of nickel silver and the cap 12 includes a base 14 and two sides 15 and 16. A central axis 17 passes longitudinally through the long axis of the stem 11 and the sides 15 and 16 diverge away from the base 14 so as to intersect with the axis 17.

#As best seen in FIG. 4, the frets 10 are inserted in a neck 20 of a stringed instrument so that the caps 12 are interposed between the surface of the neck 20 and one or more strings 21. For comparison purposes, the neck 20 is shown in FIG. 3, equipped with prior art frets 13.

#As illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the caps of the frets have been ground down so that the resulting flat surfaces will all lie in a common plane. The common plane is parallel to the neck surface so all of the ground surfaces are thereby disposed predetermined distances from the strings.