Mattyukaholic
Well-known member
It's that time of year when I start another term of teaching ukulele lessons at the local adult education centre. At the end of the lessons I always stay behind to give advice or clear things up and students often come to me with their ukes to see if they are good for them or need setting up.
And I have to get it off my chest: shoddy fretwork!! Aaaaggggghhh!! Why is it you can get production ukuleles where a lot of attention has been paid elsewhere (pretty bindings, good finishes, solid woods and good construction) and then you get frets that are crudely cut and uncomfortable to play?
I know that often changes in humidity etc are to blame for sharp or unseated frets but I'm referring to crudely cut and filed frets. Some of these ukes are like cheese graters. It's like the fretwire has been cut but hardly any filing has been done. Often all they need is a file and steel wool passing over them to smooth off.
I know this is why many of us go to excellent suppliers that do set-up work and I am so thankful for these. It just amazes me that so much care and attention is paid elsewhere on these ukes but it always seems like fretwork let's them down.
Rant over!
Matt
Ps. Purposely not mentioning any brands so please don't either. This is a common problem I've seen on student's ukes across many makes. Just wondering if others get frustrated by the same thing?
And I have to get it off my chest: shoddy fretwork!! Aaaaggggghhh!! Why is it you can get production ukuleles where a lot of attention has been paid elsewhere (pretty bindings, good finishes, solid woods and good construction) and then you get frets that are crudely cut and uncomfortable to play?
I know that often changes in humidity etc are to blame for sharp or unseated frets but I'm referring to crudely cut and filed frets. Some of these ukes are like cheese graters. It's like the fretwire has been cut but hardly any filing has been done. Often all they need is a file and steel wool passing over them to smooth off.
I know this is why many of us go to excellent suppliers that do set-up work and I am so thankful for these. It just amazes me that so much care and attention is paid elsewhere on these ukes but it always seems like fretwork let's them down.
Rant over!
Matt
Ps. Purposely not mentioning any brands so please don't either. This is a common problem I've seen on student's ukes across many makes. Just wondering if others get frustrated by the same thing?