A zero fret is a nifty addition to your nut. With the zero fret you determine the string height, using the nut only to determine your string distance. By doing so, the strings in an open position are in contact with your zero fret in the same type of material as your frets, giving the same type of sound as when you are playing chords.
This zero nut is a revolutionary, patent pending design by Sintoms. It comes without a tang and asymmetrically shaped to be placed against your nut, with just a stud to keep it in place and all without even removing the nut. Due to its shape, the point of contact with the zero fret instead of your nut is only 0.4mm. This minimum shift can be adjusted by intonating the bridge saddles – although it is not even always necessary. The ‘frill’ in the sense of extra added material on the nut side gives it more weight and sustain.
This zero fret wire is ideal if you want to install a zero fret in an existing guitar.
The wire is pre-bend and is preferably used in combination with fret wire of 1.6mm crown height, or countresing the zero fret 0.2mm for use with 1.4mm high fret wire.
Crown width: 3.1mm
Crown height: 1.87mm
Stud height: 0.2mm
How to install your Zero fret without a tang.
Prep:
Remove the strings.
If necessary, slightly deepen the nut slots to ensure that the strings will rest properly on the new zero fret. Make sure the slots are smooth so that your strings do not jam when tuning them.
Take your fret saw, place the side of the blade directly against the nut and with a few downward strokes, create a small slot for the stud of 0.2mm only deep. You could even use a knife. The stud is a pinpoint type with the point at 0.4mm from the nut. You can work in steps and try if it fits regularly till satisfied.
Clean the fretboard with fretboard cleaner like Dunlop formula 01. Make sure that no debris is left against the nut as you want to place your zero nut in that position. If necessary, remove any glue remains carefully with fine sanding paper.
You can cut your zero fret to fit, but make sure to leave a little room for tolerance in case the zero fret moves a little during installing. You can also cut it after installing.
Install:
Place the zero fret with the stud in the slot. Gluing is not necessary, but we do recommend it.
Hold it down with some force to set securely in your fretboard. Because the pre-wired radius is smaller than most radii, it should set nicely in place when you place force from the center on to the outers. If the difference of the radii is too big, you can carefully bend back the radius of the zero fret. If you do require to use a hammer, use a specialized pen driver, or protect the zero fret and your nut by placing a wooden block on the zero fret.
Clean the sides with your fret file till they are level with your nut.
Complete:
Polish your zero fret with 0000 steel wool or with Kovax Buflex Dry 3000. Make sure to protect your fretboard.
Make sure to condition your fretboard while you’re at it. Replace the strings and tune them. Check string height and intonation and adjust where necessary. In the event that the regular frets are lower (due to age, or because lower height wire was used) and your strings are too high and you cannot adjust it with the trusrod or bridge. Than you can, carefully, make shallow slots in the zero fret by following the slots from your nut with a file.
| Item | 132020 |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sintoms |
| Color | Bronze |
| Material | Bell bronze |
| Crown height | 1.87 |
| Crown width | 3.1 |
| Size | 3.1x1.87x60mm |
| Weight | 5g |
| Sales unit | per pce of 60mm |
At Guitar Goods we do our very best to make things as easy and fun as possible, for example: