 Frets
are metal strips (usually nickel alloy)
embedded along the fretboard.
When strings
are pressed down behind them, frets
shorten the strings'
vibrating lengths to produce different
pitches. For more on fret spacing, see
the Strings
and section.
Frets are usually the first permanent
part to wear out on a heavily played
guitar. They
can be re-shaped to a certain extent
and can be replaced as needed. Frets
also indicate fractions of the length
of a string
(the string
midpoint is at the 12th fret; one-third
the length of the string
reaches from the nut to the 7th fret,
the 7th fret to the 19th, and the 19th
to the saddle; one-fourth reaches from
nut
to fifth to twelfth to twenty-fourth
to saddle). This feature is important
in playing harmonics. Frets are available
in several different gauges, depending
on the type of guitar
and the player's
style.
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