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Refretting with stainless steel - pitfalls?

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randellarandella Frets: 4384
in Making & Modding
I've got a cheap no-mark neck which I want to refret - maple fretboard - as it has a lovely profile, like a bastard child of a Fender modern-C and a Wizard II.  I want to make it look nice for a project I've got in mind.  I've nipped the old frets out with no chipping; they weren't glued, and the board looks tidy.  I've pulled the plastic dot markers out and am gluing in some abalone it their place.  It'll be sanded to a 9.5" radius.

So far so good.

What do I need to look out for when installing SS frets? I know:

- they'll blunt my tools pretty quickly
- the frets shouldn't be radiused MUCH tighter than the board before installing

Anything else glaring that I've missed?

Any tips appreciated!
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Comments

  • olafgartenolafgarten Frets: 1648
    They will also destroy your strings.
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  • ArchtopDaveArchtopDave Frets: 1373
    Are you wanting to install SS Frets just out of curiosity, or do you have a specific reason for using them?
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  • randellarandella Frets: 4384
    ArchtopDave said:
    Are you wanting to install SS Frets just out of curiosity, or do you have a specific reason for using them?

    The specific reason was solely that I'm one of those players who can destroy frets just by looking at them and SS has a rep for lasting a bit longer. I wussed out in the end and went trad nickel silver, the job went relatively smoothly, pleased I avoided the tougher stuff.
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  • richhrichh Frets: 453
    I don't think they will 'destroy your strings'.  I've got guitars with ss frets and not had any problems with my strings!
    Trading feedback info link: http://www.thefretboard.co.uk/discussion/61710/
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  • olafgartenolafgarten Frets: 1648
    richh said:
    I don't think they will 'destroy your strings'.  I've got guitars with ss frets and not had any problems with my strings!
    When I borrowed a Guitar with SS frets the strings lasted half the time they did usually.
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  • sweepysweepy Frets: 4218
    Destroying strings probably is more a technique thing exacerbated by the stainless steel frets. I've had two Parker Fly's and never had any issue whatsoever with strings being prematurely knackered
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  • frictionfractionfrictionfraction Frets: 402
    You get a slightly more zingy string noise sound in my opinion when you have a low action and the strings vibrate against the frets - I found this with suhrs however I can't say it is any thing other than a difference and definitely not a problem
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