Jump to content
Why become a member? ×

Which frets?


chrisanthony1211
 Share

Recommended Posts

Are the current frets the original ones? So, if they aren't definitely the originals, then what would original ones look like?

Fender frets are normally silver in colour. So, my gut feel would be to go for stainless steel frets with a profile that's as near to the original as possible, giving long life.

I've just done a refret for another BCer and the cost of stainless steel was very reasonable and they give long life.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Yes, wires do vary in width and height. They won't make a lot of difference to the sound, if anything, but it would be good to get the look right.

Fender tend to use a fairly wide wire. The stainless wires I've just fitted are narrower than the Fender wires; 2.04mm wide. Narrower can give a slightly more accurate intonation, but we are really talking minute differences.

What I would use on a Fender would probably be 2.5mm.

[url="http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/sintoms-18-nickel-silver-frets-2-5mm-1.html"]http://www.tonetechl...ts-2-5mm-1.html[/url]

I'd look at the originals first though, before ordering.

Edited by Grangur
Link to comment
Share on other sites

When I remove frets I check for any splintering. This is generally minor, but it happens. Then clean out the slots, ready to take the tang of the new fret.
I then clean up the fretboard, sand it to remove any scrapes and dents, as can come from a lot of severe digging in over the years, before fitting the frets.

In the above, most marks from the sides of the frets will be cleaned off. What can be a small issue is with a maple neck, Fender lacquer the neck after it's fretted. This means, in this case, that the FB, under the frets isn't lacquered. When the frets are replaced it makes sense to have frets the same width. Yet there's still cleaning up to do as when the lacquer is scored with a blade before removing the frets it doesn't always do a perfectly smooth cut. So the edges need to be cleaned up so it doesn't look messy when the new frets are fitted and the neck re-lacquered.

In the case of a maple neck I clean the FB and re-lacquer before the frets are fitted. This has a few advantages to the bass for the future. Applying the lacquer after the frets, makes sense for Fender in a mass-production factory. It's not such a big deal in a workshop.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='therealting' timestamp='1482927847' post='3203550']
Do you sense much of a tonal difference with stainless frets? They sound different in my Strats.
[/quote]
Have to confess I've only refretted my own in brass. Instruments I've done for others tend to arrive in a bad way with poor frets causing buzzing and other noises, so I'm not in the best position to say. What difference have you heard between them?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I really wouldn't choose SS frets for a vintage Fender. Ordinary Nickel silver frets will last a very long time for the majority of players and it's what the instrument would have originally came with. And yes SS frets will sound slightly different. I also believe it would negatively effect the value.

Edited by Manton Customs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Manton Customs' timestamp='1482930357' post='3203574']
I really wouldn't choose SS frets for a vintage Fender. Ordinary Nickel silver frets will last a very long time for the majority of players and it's what the instrument would have originally came with. And yes SS frets will sound slightly different. I also believe it would negatively effect the value.
[/quote]
Thanks for your thoughts. They're always welcomed, by me at least. :)

[quote name='chrisanthony1211' timestamp='1482932179' post='3203586']
Been looking on the web and it looks like 6230 fret wires would what would normally be on pre CBS precisions.
[/quote]
Or these where you can get them in the UK:
http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=fender+fret+wire

Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1482929567' post='3203567']

Have to confess I've only refretted my own in brass. Instruments I've done for others tend to arrive in a bad way with poor frets causing buzzing and other noises, so I'm not in the best position to say. What difference have you heard between them?
[/quote]

They have a slightly more metallic ring to the note attack. Not always a bad thing, but a more modern sound.

String bending is a different level with stainless though - effortless.

Edited by therealting
Link to comment
Share on other sites

[quote name='Grangur' timestamp='1482934769' post='3203608']

Thanks for your thoughts. They're always welcomed, by me at least. :)


Or these where you can get them in the UK:
http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/catalogsearch/result/?q=fender+fret+wire
[/quote]

Glad to hear it :). Yep, Jescar wire as you linked is my preferred brand when it comes to fretwire also.

Edited by Manton Customs
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

 Share

  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...