Stainless frets - nothing to fear

[wodka]

So I had Jack Magdon (www.magdonmusic.com) put jumbo stainless frets on my GMW and they are fantastic. So smooth and there is no difference in tone. Rumors abound that they make the tone overly bright, but I guess I'm too deaf to notice. I asked GMW to do it, but they don't offer stainless so Magdon did it for a very reasonable price. I don't think I'll be able to play regular frets again.

[toejam]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Cool! And they won't wear down either. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img] Carvin just started offering the SS frets, too, just the medium jumbos so far.

[Budman68]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I have a question, does anyone know what grade of stainless these are?

Thanks,
Dave->

[Firebird V]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I have stainless on 2 Warmoth necks and I totally agree with you. They are so smooth and wonderful under your fingers.

[Newc]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Steel wire as used for frets, when polished properly, should theoretically feel the same whether they're stainless or not.
I also doubt that different types of similarly-gaged steel will have a drastic effect on the tone (i.e. stainless vs regular of the same gage).

Newc

[Twisteramps]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Originally posted by Newc:
Steel wire as used for frets, when polished properly, should theoretically feel the same whether they're stainless or not.
I also doubt that different types of similarly-gaged steel will have a drastic effect on the tone (i.e. stainless vs regular of the same gage).

Newc

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Frets are an alloy of nickel and some other metal... but what's cool about the stainless is that they don't get 'dirty' - you know how slick your frets feel right after you polish them? Stainless frets are like that all the time. Plus they will last many times longer than regular frets. If you ever order a warmoth neck, it's a whopping $20 extra, and money well spent.

Pete

[dinkyjacksonman]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I have a Suhr guitar with SS frets.
I don't feel the difference but according to John Suhr,SS frets last much longer and they sound better too.

[Birdzeyeee]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Would be nice if the new Charvels would be offered with the "stainless frets option". I definitely prefer stainless just based on their lasting longer and not getting dull looking in appearance. Some people are allergic to nickel, too.

[Newc]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I did have a Warmoth neck with SS frets (went with the black Model 2 body a while back). The frets had some sort of wax or something on them that was scraping off when I bent the strings [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

Newc

[speed monkey]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I have a Tom Anderson with SS frets, and can totally feel the difference between the two...some shops claim that the SS frets require a seperate set of tools to work on and don't want to invest...others claim it's B.S.

Either way - I think SS is an improvement and would love to get a GMW neck with SS frets.

Steve E

[sambencuda]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I've had two Warmoth necks with SS frets and I think they were great. Some things to consider though...

1) I'm not sure about requiring a seperate set of tools to work on them, but they will wear tools much faster.

2) Leveling is much more time consuming. Nickel is much softer making it easier to work with. Not a problem if you don't do your own fretwork.

3) Almost all new Warmoth necks need at least a minor dressing from the factory. With nickel, you can sometimes get away without doing so because they can wear in. I don't see that happening with stainless

All in all, I think it's worth it because you get more life out of them. I haven't noticed any major tonal difference Although Ed Roman would tell you different. SS frets are just another great new inovation for that POS to dismiss as no good.
[img]graemlins/evilimages/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

[rhoads56]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Ok, lets sort out a few myths right here and now...

I have installed around fifteen sets of s/steel frets. I dont use any "special" tools, just my normal files. Yes, stainless steel is a little harder to install (fretboard prep), and they are harder to file (harder material), but you DO NOT have to use diamond based files. A sharp, normal file will work well.

I have noticed ZERO tone difference.

The s/steel frets hold their polish a lot longer, so it feels as though you've just had a fret buff, all the time. Some people claim they wear out strings faster with s/s frets, but i say "you dont change your strings regularly enough". If you leave strings on for a month, and play three hours a day, of course they will wear out and break.

[zeegler]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

I'd rather wear out strings than frets anyway!

[Hamner1]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

That's about how often I change my strings (about once a month). But that is because I am not in a band so my guitars do not go through as much abuse (gigs, beer, smoke, other peoples fingers, etc.) I also do not play 3 hours a day (closer to an hour... kind of sucks), but after a month I can start to tell that the strings are dead and in need of replacement. Correct me if I am wrong, but strings are cheaper than a refret. [img]images/icons/grin.gif[/img]

[ranalli]

Re: Stainless frets - nothing to fear

Originally posted by Newc:
I did have a Warmoth neck with SS frets (went with the black Model 2 body a while back). The frets had some sort of wax or something on them that was scraping off when I bent the strings [img]graemlins/scratchhead.gif[/img]

Newc

<font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Was it a maple fingerboard?? Cause if it was it was probably the clear type coat they put on top of coming off.