Thoughts on stainless frets

Danielsguitars

Roland said:

customkits said:

Roland said:

Personally I find the idea of soft nickle frets offensive. It indicates substandard material choice. ...

 Define sub standard fret choice please

If I buy something, other than a consumable, I expect it to last at least five years of normal use. For example, branded dishwashers and washing machines are warranted to work for five years without failure. 

So if a guitar needs refretting in less than five years of normal use then I would consider that the builder had used substandard fretwire.

so if a guitars fretted with jescar which every one says is the best nickel fretwire available and doesn't last you 5 yrs it's sub standard workmanship because I don't 

I think prs use n/s wire no one said they're sub standard either

It's all personal choice not just one way is best imo Inc SS, I know I won't use it from what others have said about it 

You are of course entitled to share your view and use whatever wire you like

I think most dishwashers and washing machines are 2 yrs or you pay more for extended warranty 
I know my last one was anyway

earwighoney

customkits said:

I wasn't talking about cheap fretwire as I wouldn't use it anyway, I've been using the Japanese wire for a good few years and like it alot for what I'm building anyway

I'm not doing ss that's for sure but I will be trying jescar nickel and evo just to see for myself what it's like, it's the tone I'm interested too

I've got a guitar with Jescar frets and I'd say there isn't much of a noticable difference between the hardness between the Jescar frets and the Japanese ones on the guitar of yours I had.  My Epi LPC however has the softest frets I've come across though. 

What size Jescar frets are you planning to go for?  I like EVO Golds a lot, I'd choose them when a few of my guitars need refrets. 

Danielsguitars

earwighoney said:

customkits said:

I wasn't talking about cheap fretwire as I wouldn't use it anyway, I've been using the Japanese wire for a good few years and like it alot for what I'm building anyway

I'm not doing ss that's for sure but I will be trying jescar nickel and evo just to see for myself what it's like, it's the tone I'm interested too

I've got a guitar with Jescar frets and I'd say there isn't much of a noticable difference between the hardness between the Jescar frets and the Japanese ones on the guitar of yours I had.  My Epi LPC however has the softest frets I've come across though. 

What size Jescar frets are you planning to go for?  I like EVO Golds a lot, I'd choose them when a few of my guitars need refrets. 

47095 seems close but mine are slightly taller but I'll look into it first to check and I'll try both

I'm not expecting much difference between the n/s but the evo seems a good compromise between n/s and ss

I'm not sure I'll like the gold colour on everything though as I'm a traditionalist really

DLM

Roland said:

customkits said:

Roland said:

Personally I find the idea of soft nickle frets offensive. It indicates substandard material choice. ...

 Define sub standard fret choice please

If I buy something, other than a consumable, I expect it to last at least five years of normal use. For example, branded dishwashers and washing machines are warranted to work for five years without failure. 

So if a guitar needs refretting in less than five years of normal use then I would consider that the builder had used substandard fretwire.

But frets are consumables! Leo Fender designed whole flipping neck as a consumable!

Danielsguitars

DLM said:

Roland said:

customkits said:

Roland said:

Personally I find the idea of soft nickle frets offensive. It indicates substandard material choice. ...

 Define sub standard fret choice please

If I buy something, other than a consumable, I expect it to last at least five years of normal use. For example, branded dishwashers and washing machines are warranted to work for five years without failure. 

So if a guitar needs refretting in less than five years of normal use then I would consider that the builder had used substandard fretwire.

But frets are consumables! Leo Fender designed whole flipping neck as a consumable!

you know I think you're right, well said

earwighoney

customkits said:

 47095 seems close but mine are slightly taller but I'll look into it first to check and I'll try both

I'm not expecting much difference between the n/s but the evo seems a good compromise between n/s and ss

I'm not sure I'll like the gold colour on everything though as I'm a traditionalist really

Yeah, the gold coloured frets are a bit of a weird thing.  I'm not sure they'd look right in all situations but it's down to the owner of the guitar really. 

I had a guitar on loan with Gold Evo 47095 and they seemed excellent.  

ADP

PRS use Jescar frets.

stickyfiddle

I adore the SS frets on my Cabronita (whatever USACG use; Dunlop I think). Almost 5 years old, never been polished, still shiny and wonderful to bend on.

I like the sound too, but then I like everything very toppy compared with most

mrshankly

Never use anything but ss. Sounds great plays great

WezV

stickyfiddle said:

I adore the SS frets on my Cabronita (whatever USACG use; Dunlop I think). Almost 5 years old, never been polished, still shiny and wonderful to bend on.

I like the sound too, but then I like everything very toppy compared with most

Oi, I distinctly remember polishing the buggers 5 years ago!!

breezytele

I like EVO gold
It looks gorgeous ( more soft bronze than brassy yellow gold )
and it lasts so well. 
I recall reading that on the Vickers hardness scale:
N/S 180,  EVO 250, S/S 300
( figures edited to correct ) 

octatonic

I love playing on them but I hate installing them.

Danielsguitars

breezytele said:

I like EVO gold
It looks gorgeous ( more soft bronze than brassy yellow gold )
and it lasts so well. 
I recall reading that on the Vickers hardness scale:
N/S 180,  EVO 300, S/S 350

I love the interweb, thanks 

I read my n/s wire was 175 
Jescar 200 
Evo 250
SS 300

No idea which is right either 

I don't think I'll personally use ss