Thoughts on Frets:

Inspector #20

Inspector #20

Ambassador of Tone
Fallen Star
Country flag
I have noticed that I am very rough on frets. I've also noticed that certain nickel-silver frets are more wear resistant than others. Clearly, the Jescar Gold Evo Frets are the best, longest lasting that I have used, but on my other guitars, I wanted to try something different.

On my fake Les Paul, I really grooved the 19th through 21st frets with the E and A string, so much so that I developed not a mute, but a reduction in sustain in this area.

This guitar has much harder frets than any of my real Gibson's, but the grooving from my violent vibrato is really taking a toll.

20210417_181829.jpg

My thinking is to not re-level the frets from 1st through 12th, but rather just re-crown them.

Then, from 13th through 22nd, level lightly with #1000 and a 12" radius block, almost creating a fall-away effect, then recrown.

I feel like this may extend the life of my guitars with nickel-silver frets.

Thoughts???
 
Have ya considered Stainless Steel frets? They are usually smoother feeling when you play and can take a massive toll of abuse , especially if you are a hard hitting player. Some claim they are brighter sounding, others say they are harsher on the strings
 
I have two guitars with stainless steel frets strings last zero fret ware the Parker averaged 40 hours per month play time 13 1/2 years on a set of
strings when I changed them still good it didn't sound any better with new strings. Still have the stock strings on the seven string two years later.

Parker Fly Deluxe 001.JPG

Hydra 002.JPG
 
Clockworkmike said:
Have ya considered Stainless Steel frets? They are usually smoother feeling when you play and can take a massive toll of abuse , especially if you are a hard hitting player. Some claim they are brighter sounding, others say they are harsher on the strings
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Funny you mention those today.

My Eric Johnson Strat needs a level and crown- again.

If I get the work done this will be the last level I get out of these frets. I've gotten great life out of them, just went about seven years playing nothing but that Strat. For the most part.

My luthier has suggested stainless, he knows how much I love to play that guitar, when the frets have some meat on them.

At where I'm at age- wise etc... it would be the last real work that guitar will need.

Just thought it odd, was just on the phone talking to him on this very subject. The Universe is trying to tell me something.
 
steveb63 said:
Funny you mention those today.

My Eric Johnson Strat needs a level and crown- again.

If I get the work done this will be the last level I get out of these frets. I've gotten great life out of them, just went about seven years playing nothing but that Strat. For the most part.

My luthier has suggested stainless, he knows how much I love to play that guitar, when the frets have some meat on them.

At where I'm at age- wise etc... it would be the last real work that guitar will need.

Just thought it odd, was just on the phone talking to him on this very subject. The Universe is trying to tell me something.
Click to expand...
Karma and destiny :dood:
 
CoyotesGator said:
I haven’t seen it.

I think it is free on Hulu but I couldn’t get my account to work last I tried.
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Hmmm

Still early here, Lol.
Hopefully you've spurred me on to find it.

I find the subject of Frank to be fascinating. I even like the bad documentaries on him.

The past few years it's been hard to see what happened to the kids.

It will also be cool to hear more from Steve Vai, hoping he gets a chance to speak, more than he usually does, on his point of view.
 
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