string tension or fretting issues

[Danny Gordon]

I just recently finished a 3 string and it seems like the strings are a little hard to fret. I have it set up on a 25 inch scale, if I move the bridge toward the neck will it make the strings easier to fret without sacrificing tone quality? It plays great with a slide. I am also wondering if I might have the frets set too low. I am using an 8/32 bolt for the bridge and a bit smaller bolt for the nut.

[Ted Crocker]

Can you post a pic Danny.  The answers are different if you have actual frets or not.

[Danny Gordon]

Adding a pic

[Danny Gordon]

pics posted I used toothpicks as the frets and I realized I seated them just a hair to deep which was causing issues chording. Playing melodies wasn't a problem. I added some flat toothpicks on top of the round ones and problem solved. I have some thin walnut looking boards that I am eventually going to make a fretboard out of and glue onto the neck of this one or the next one I build for sure.

[Ted Crocker]

Danny, seeing that it's fretted, the bridge has to be in a precise spot.  It should be the same distance from the 12th fret as the nut is from the 12th fret.  You said 25" scale, so 12th fret should be at 12.5" from both nut & bridge.  The scale length is double the distance from the nut to the 12th fret. Check your nut to 12th fret distance, double it and that's your scale length and where your bridge should be.

Maybe you used too fat strings and have to wind too tight to get to pitch.  I usually tune to Open G which is G, D, g.  I use strings 3, 4 & 5 from a pack - the A, D, G strings, and downtune the A one step to G.  (Don't use the fattest and 2 thinnest strings)

Good luck!

[Danny Gordon]

Thanks Ted. I did use strings 3,4,and 5, I will double check the distance again. Thanks for your help