New guitar philosophy

[67plexi]

From a well known luthier on Strat talk, installing stainless steel frets vs regular costs about $5 more. Of course since you don’t have that option when you buy you have to pay for a whole refret if you want SS, which is a whole lot more expensive

Well the Parker and Hydra were stock with Stainless Frets Ken Parker was way ahead of his time using SS frets and locking tuners 32 years ago.

 

[eclecticsynergy]

In 1970s when Paul carved every guitar by hand:
The first time I met Paul, he immediately told me that testing the wood was a most important factor in building his guitars.
And so it goes for the finest luthiers throughout the globe.
You will never hear the "wood doesn't matter" routine from these respected artisans.

You want to see some of the very first guitars Paul carved?

I liked Happy The Man. Back in the 70s I had their eponymous album.

 

[smitty_p]

Anyways, I like new and different things, I know a bunch of guys will get apoplexic if Fender changes a tiny thing from Leo's original design (By the way, Leo was the true innovator).

I think you've kind of hit the problem, right there. I think Fender (and others) would be glad to innovate a bit. They've had some pretty cool innovations in the past, but the people who are likely to buy a Strat or Tele just don't want the change.

I remember Fender's "Personality Cards". I thought that was a great idea, but it fell by the wayside. There are some who continue to refuse to consider an HSS Strat as a "real" Strat. "Real Strats use three single coil pickups...and not noiseless pickups, either!" they say. The two point bridge with cast saddles (which I highly prefer over the six-screw bridge with bent-steel saddles) still gets hate. I also like the S1 switching system. I have that on my American Deluxe Strat.

I think Gibson's business model of having an "Original" line and a "Modern" line is about the best compromise.

 

[smitty_p]

From a well known luthier on Strat talk, installing stainless steel frets vs regular costs about $5 more. Of course since you don’t have that option when you buy you have to pay for a whole refret if you want SS, which is a whole lot more expensive

Is he talking just about the relative cost of the fret material? That I could see. But, it takes more time with SS to do things like finish the fret ends, and other finishing work, because of the extra hardness. They even wear out the tools faster. I would expect the extra time to finish the frets would push the price up even further.

Then again, I suppose he could just decide to keep his pricing the same regardless of the type of frets installed.

 

[Amp Mad Scientist]

From a well known luthier on Strat talk, installing stainless steel frets vs regular costs about $5 more. Of course since you don’t have that option when you buy you have to pay for a whole refret if you want SS, which is a whole lot more expensive

Stainless steel frets wears out tools very fast, and takes much more effort...to the point where most luthiers would rather not install them.
The fret crowning files and fret leveling tools were not even made for such metal....you would probably use titanium or diamond edge tooling. I know I use titanium bits to drill holes in SS, and that's minimal.
Nickle Silver frets = HV 160-200
SS Frets = HV 300 metal nearly twice as hard.
It's a lot more than $5 difference, just because of the tooling
Some of the upscale guitars do have SS frets from the factory.
The frets are going to last much longer for most people, and for others it tears the strings up way faster.

But I looked for anybody around here that would do SS, and there was like no-body who would even attempt it.

OK here ya go: titanium fret wire, harder than stainless steel.
Ceramic Frets, now you have passed ridiculous. Let's see you crown those pups.

 

[Boubou]

Well the luthier was Ronkirn, I did a quick search and can not find him mentioning cost, but he certainly is a fan of SS frets

 

[Mouse]

Interesting.
Apparently Godin does that too. I have 2 Godin mainly for the piezo pickup. They also are synth capable. Basically a Les Paul killer with piezo capability. Just super good guitars. Beautifùl Quebec maple tops.

Love it! I had a '97 LGX (no synth) up until a few years ago when I sold it. That was my number 1 for years. Hell, it was my only guitar for year. Very good quality. I always regretted not getting the synth model.

 

[smitty_p]

Well the luthier was Ronkirn, I did a quick search and can not find him mentioning cost, but he certainly is a fan of SS frets

I recognize that name. Yeah, I've read several of his posts over the years. They seemed to be well-thought and interesting.

For what it's worth, I'm a big fan of stainless steel frets, as well. I've had two guitars refretted with them.

 

[Boubou]

I recognize that name. Yeah, I've read several of his posts over the years. They seemed to be well-thought and interesting.

For what it's worth, I'm a big fan of stainless steel frets, as well. I've had two guitars refretted with them.

I don’t have any, being a lousy hobby player I doubt I will go through a set of frets. But, I like good stuff, I mean, locking tuners, satin finish on the back of the neck and SS frets should be standard. Who wants wooden wheels with a metal strip around it on their cars? At least you should have the option to buy it like that. I bought 4 sets of locking tuners, worth between $150-200 here in Canada . The difference between locking and non locking is probably less than a dollar, but they are not available on the new guitar.

 

[gball]

locking tuners, satin finish on the back of the neck and SS frets should be standard.

Y'know, I don't want any of these things. I can certainly understand why some would, and maybe I am just set in my ways, but I have had all these "features" at one time or another and I don't like or prefer any of them. Especially the frets - I would never refret with stainless or buy another guitar that came from the factory with them, they just don't feel right to me.

 

[ChasFred]

Truly, I am all for it, and they look great. But I have owned a few PRS' and just cannot find the groove with them for some reason. Hard to explain, but they feel like an appliance when I play them, rather than a living thing, the way a good Gibson feels.

that is how I feel about Strats, BUT when I played a G&L Legacy it was a whole other story. Strats are eehhh but I love my G&L. PRS I am not crazy about their necks.

 

[67plexi]

Before 1984 all I played was Gibson's a SG and a Les Paul Custom then my guitar teacher said most of the songs you are playing
were an Fender Stratocaster's it took a few before I found the one 1961 slab board.
The last few day's Joe and I have been checking out recordings we did with the band live the last 10 years very happy with my live sound.
Used the same amps since 2008 50 watt ODS a pair to me amps are more important than guitars.

 

[Stu78]

I think the paranormal series is cool too. I got one of the squire paranormal SuperSonics because it was the only way I could find that shape. It’s 3/4 scale and pink so my daughters can slam away on it. I put some double cream square tab dimarzios in it because I care lol.
I play it way more more than the girls do though

https://imgur.com/a/yjKLlH8

Nice! I've got my eye on one of these. 90% convinced i'm gonna pull the trigger and buy one. Ticks a few boxes for me in terms of functionality and style although it would look better imo with a Jazzmaster headstock.