Hey guys, I'm thinking about getting my CS 1960 relic strat refretted and I'm just looking for some opinions and ideas for what fret wire I might like ... I know you can't tell me what I'll like but some of you might give me some ideas or for a guitar to go and try with similar frets etc. On the shop floor traveller on the strat the fretwire was simply listed as 'obsolete AM standard' - which I'm guessing means the same wire as an old AM standard! Some kind of medium jumbo probably. Anyway, since then the strat had a fret level when I had it set up again a few years ago, so they are slightly smaller anyway and now they're quite worn again because it's been my only guitar for 6 years! It still plays great but I know if it had a refret it'd be playing even better.
I recently acquired a Suhr Alt t. It has stainless steel frets, the specs say - Medium Stainless Steel .055"x.090. I can't tell any difference with the them being made from stainless steel so I'm quite tempted to get them installed on my 1960 CS relic strat. But it kinda feels 'wrong' because it's not so normal for Fenders!
With those fret measurements, what fret wire by dunlop or jescar are they most similar to? I think if I was going stainless, I might get something slightly lower than them.
My dilemma is, if I got that size fret in nickel, they wouldn't survive much fret levelling!
Another part of my brain is saying, now I have 2 guitars, I probably don't need stainless steel frets on my strat because I'd be playing it less!
Is the answer maybe a more vintage style fret in stainless steel? One advantage of the frets being low on my strat is, it's really easy to slide triads etc.
Thanks for any help, I know it's all really personal preference.
Comments
Jescar make a stainless wire FW55090 which is the same size as what's on the Suhr.
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
I’ve heard some techs don’t like stainless as it damages their standard tools because it’s so hard, I have never encountered this though, but it’s worth asking. Ged Green in Cheadle did all three of mine and I was delighted with them.
I’m gearing up for another refret on a ‘70 335 and will be using 47104 again.
Those bigger wires are my own favourite to play on and if they are well installed and dressed and the ends made to feel unobtrusive then they don't seem to bother most players.
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
Many guitars have a re-sale value. Some you'll never want to sell.
Stockist of: Earvana & Graphtech nuts, Faber Tonepros & Gotoh hardware, Fatcat bridges. Highwood Saddles.
Pickups from BKP, Oil City & Monty's pickups.
Expert guitar repairs and upgrades - fretwork our speciality! www.felineguitars.com. Facebook too!
I’ve yet to see any negative comments on it , from those who’ve actually had the wire installed.
Thanks.
Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.
Been uploading old tracks I recorded ages ago and hopefully some new noodles here.