| Author | Message | ||
| glocke
Advanced Member Username: glocke Post Number: 379 Registered: 9-2002 |
How long does it take for frets to wear out to the point where a refret needs to be done ? I practice on my alembics all the time, but I know some people that use a beater instrument to practice on to reduce fretwear on their more expensive instruments. | ||
| u14steelgtr
Member Username: u14steelgtr Post Number: 89 Registered: 7-2003 |
It depends on a lot of factors. The type of strings you use, your preferred setup, and your playinging style: each of these things can increase or decrease longevity of frets a great deal. I have an instrument that is 98 years old which has its original frets and another instrument which needed to be refretted after only 15 years. But reducing fretwear by practicing on a beater instrument seems completely silly to me. Refretting is just part of the maintenance of an instrument and refretting an instrument is simply not a big deal to do. Regards -- Eugene | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 810 Registered: 6-2002 |
I wonder how many times Marcus Miller's '77 Jazz Bass has been refretted. 31 years of popping and slapping has gotta hurt! I agree that a beater instrument doesn't make sense, because you end up growing attached to it and miss out on the experience of the high end instrument - it's glorious tone, sustain and feel. Who knows where we'll be 15 or 20 years down the road. The odds are that you'll pobably get rid of it long before you need to refret it. Why not enjoy that great instrument now while you can?  | ||
| pauldo
Member Username: pauldo Post Number: 55 Registered: 6-2006 |
"....Refretting is just part of the maintenance of an instrument and refretting an instrument is simply not a big deal to do." True, true I haven't had mine refretted (yet), but you should be able to have the frets dressed several times prior to replacement and dressing is very easy on the pocket book. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 811 Registered: 6-2002 |
Some companies offer stainless steel frets as an inexpensive option. Something to consider for your next instrument or refret job. They should last forever. | ||
| jbybj
Intermediate Member Username: jbybj Post Number: 170 Registered: 6-2006 |
"Some companies offer stainless steel frets as an inexpensive option. Something to consider for your next instrument or refret job. They should last forever." True, but I have been told, by people who sell them, that they sound very different, bright and metalic. So you have to be willing to deal with a different tone with Stainless steel. FWIW. | ||
| terryc
Senior Member Username: terryc Post Number: 511 Registered: 11-2004 |
Warwick use bell metal frets whic are supposedly much harder and longer lasting than the usual nickel alloy type. I have a 83 Squier which has had a hard life with me slapping and then is now in the hands of my son who is in his EMO band using abrasive s/steel strings and apart from a deep groove on the third fret it is holding up well | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 812 Registered: 6-2002 |
I don't undrstand how steel frets can affect the tone, since it's the strings that vibrate. | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1868 Registered: 2-2006 |
Anything that touches the strings will make a difference in the tone. Same principal as brass nut versus a plastic or nut. The softer material will absorb more of the strings vibration making for a warmer tone (I would assume)than a harder material. OO | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 813 Registered: 6-2002 |
That's an excellent point. I didn't think of that. When I play, I always aim to land my fingers right on the frets in an effort to minimize any fret noise. I'm sure that must serve to dampen the string vibration a bit as well. I suppose we tend to adapt our playing style to get the tone we like most out of our instruments besides fiddling with the controls. On the subject of beaters, Victor Bailey described playing Jaco's Bass in 1984 "...it was in terrible condition: the neck was dead, the strings were old, the action was high. But when Jaco played it with Mike (Stern) that night, it sang like nobodys business!" I'm sure EVERY high end Bass company would have loved to give him their best Bass for his endorsement, but he remained attached to his old beater and managed to squeeze magic out of it. He finally smashed it to pieces in an arguement one day in 1986. After it was glued back together, he lost it shortly thereafter in Central Park. An unceremonious parting of ways, but it underscores the point that instruments are just tools. What comes out of them is really up to us. (Message edited by rami on June 17, 2008) | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1869 Registered: 2-2006 |
Very well put Rami. | ||
| rami
Senior Member Username: rami Post Number: 814 Registered: 6-2002 |
Hey Olie, Yesterday I had the chance to try a Bass wearing Stainless Steel frets. I immediately noticed the difference in tone. I actually like it alot. For the last few years, I've been studying Classical Baroque and Steel frets, with that tinny metallic edge reminds me of a Harpsichord. Very cool. Rami | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1872 Registered: 2-2006 |
Very Cool Rami. I've never played one with Steel frest but you have my curiosity arroused now. I remember back in the 70's some brand, (D'Adario I Believe)came out with copper or brass coated strings. I tried a set and it sounded just like a piano, I loved them. BUT man did they ever turn your fingers green. OO | ||
| speicky
Advanced Member Username: speicky Post Number: 293 Registered: 3-2005 |
Ha, ha, yeah, those were the days, my friend... D'Addario XL reds, my favourites when I started playing bass. I Loved them, though they not only "painted" my fingers, but also put a strange smell on them, LOL ! Christian | ||
| olieoliver
Senior Member Username: olieoliver Post Number: 1873 Registered: 2-2006 |
Back then the only strange smell on my fingers was coming from not using an "aligator" clip. I wonder if anyone has ever made titanium frets. Pretty hard metal. OO (Message edited by olieoliver on June 20, 2008) | ||
| fmm
Advanced Member Username: fmm Post Number: 222 Registered: 6-2002 |
I found a set of NOS XL Reds in a bargain bin last year. I'm saving them for something special. I used to buy them 12 sets at a time. |
