Zero Fret Question.

[panther]

I'm checking my Mosrite Dobro, to see how things are put together.
It appears that the zero fret is slightly higher then the others, is this correct ? If so is it the same for regular guitars, and how much higher is it. I get just about .005". Not much but could make a difference in action height, or maybe string buzz.
Dan

[MWaldorf]

If it is higher, it doesn't have to be. I did a speed fret job on my partsrite and leveled the zero fret to the same height as the rest, and it works out just fine.

[panther]

I just couldn't definitely make up my mind as the clearance made sense to me. Thanks for the input.
Dan

[olrocknroller]

If you use a perfectly straight neck with zero relief, I would set the zero fret so that you have about .005" of clearance over the first fret to the strings with a capot on the fifth fret. This should give nice action without any buzzing. If you set some relief into the neck, then you could lower the zero fret even further, to say, the same height as the other frets... That's how I judge it anyway!

[panther]

Here is a drawing of what the neck profile looks like on the Dobro. Exaggerated of course.
I think exaggerated is spelled correctly ?
Dan

[sleeperNY]

That would be because it is to be played like a steel guitar. The hight makes no difference.

Jim

[olrocknroller]

That would be because it is to be played like a steel guitar. The hight makes no difference.

Jim

Definitely a specialized set-up! Bringing it down that much is likely to involve some fairly major surgery, because you're going to have to remove the fret, lower the fretboard to the same profile as the rest of the neck, re-cut the zero-fret slot, and re-install the fret...much bigger job than I thought! You may also find that the bridge needs to be modified so that it will lower far enough to give good action.

[panther]

I don't plan to change the Dobro, I was using it as an example of what it looks like, and it's very exaggerated. It's only a .005" rise. I want to convert another neck and just wanted to know if the '0' fret was the same as the others, lower or higher.
Dan

[sleeperNY]

Dan, I have 3 guitars with a zero fret. I set them all up with the same height as the first fret. If you cut it to low it will only cause a buzz at the first fret. If you file it down slowly you won't have a problem. It won't affect any other frets on the neck. Some zero frets are a larger and taller fret but I just cut them down. I have never had a problem with them.

Jim