Grrrrr.... Martin

[ksdaddy]

Emailed Martin inquiring about some bar fret material. I received a prompt and curt reply that Martin will not sell bar fret material to the general public.

 

I say curt reply.... my mouse fingers almost got frostbite.

 

They have every right to sell or not sell whatever they please, I'm just crabby because of it and I don't feel like wearing my Martin denim jacket now. Unless they would like to bribe me with some bar fret material. Then I'd get over my mad.

[Jayla]

ksdaddy -- it's gotta be Martin wire? Would this from StewMac do?

[TheLiveSoundGuy]

Well if I had some, I'd swap ya bar fret material for Martin Denim jacket them things cost an arm and a leg!

[ksdaddy]

This is old style stuff. No crown or tang, just flat stock. Most US companies stopped using it around 1900; Martin used it until 1934. It was still available from many vendors up until just recently. One guy has it advertised on his website but apparently I didn't know the secret handshake.

 

 

Oddly enough my 1981 Martin M-38 came with bar frets from the factory. I know not why. In 2005 Johnny Rushing installed a new board with snowflakes and normal frets for me. I could have done it with much trepidation and palm sweat but Johnny does it in his sleep so....

[Hummingbird2000]

Have you tried T. J. Thompson? Frank Ford of Gryphon Strings and FRETS.COM said this late last year:

 

 

"Martin quit supplying bar fret wire a while ago, and at that time, they more-or-less turned the bar fret wire business over to T. J. Thompson:

 

43 Bradford St Ste 2, Concord, MA 01742-2972

 

Phone: (978) 369-3359

 

While Martin supplied the stuff in three thicknesses, T.J. has a rolling mill and offers a dozen, I think."

[ksdaddy]

I've heard that name. I'll look him up. I know it's going to be expensive but I only need 17 frets worth I think.