Stainless steel frets?

[B2D]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

I don't think Stainless Steel frets are a good idea on a Strat. Seems like it would add to the brightness of an already bright guitar. The difference between stainless steels strings and nickel is pretty drastic. I personally hate Stainless Steel strings on Strats, and I like my tone pretty darn bright.

I can imagine they'd be pretty tough on strings too.

Well you could even the tone out by using a graphite nut (see my graphite nut post)

[nuntius]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

the nut only affects the tone on open strings

[aleclee]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

Refrets are more expensive, aren't they? I've heard stainless frets pretty much ruin tools.

I've never heard of anyone with SS frets needing a refret. That was part of the reason why I got 'em on my guitar. If one were necessary, it would probably be more expensive if you got 'em replaced with SS.

[B2D]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

the nut only affects the tone on open strings

ohhh yeah... LOL

The trend I'm seeing is that SS frets are best used on mellower-sounding guitars, and not brighter-toned guitars like strats and teles. Basically if the guitar is pretty toppy already then you might want to stay away from them, correct?

[Stirt]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

Tom Anderson is going to Stainless Steel Frets exclusively I hear. I guess he thinks they do not cause a sound disadvantage.

[beandip]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

Like I said, in theory, they should change the sounds, but I really dont think that any human being's ears are that finely tuned to make out the difference.

[darren]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

Parker Fly and NiteFly models have stainless frets. I love them, and would love to put them on all of my guitars. I don't think they affect the tone adversely, and they feel like you're playing on glass. Very slick and fast. Add to that the fact that they'll last pretty much forever (you probably won't *ever* need to re-fret) and i think they're worth the added expense.

[That90'sGuy]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

I'm glad there are many more people supporting them now.

I heard from so many people that they made the tone significantly brighter and took away the natural characteristics of the wood. I really hope that isn't the case, because never needing to get a refret is a major plus in my book.

The Parkers I've played with the SS frets were definitely awesome. I still maintain that the Deluxe Fly has the easiest neck to play on period. Wide, thin, easy access all the way up and the graphite and SS frets make playing comfortable and a breeze.

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

Well Beandip then your ears must be shot? I hear a clear difference between nickel compounds and solid steel ones, I am actually going to get brass frets on my Kramer and Wolfgang when they are worn out, the only place I like steel is on my trems.

[beandip]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

I reckon so man. Years of workin around nail guns, air compressors, and big ol' tractors can do that

[Zerberus]

Re: Stainless steel frets?

I've read that the only reason Parker installs those is because you CANNOT re-fret their carbon fiber fretboards without destroying them.

Actually, if you look at the original fly´s, the fretboards arent slotted. The frets are "tangless"and are glued on top of the board. Try cutting fret slots into carbon fiber and you´ll know why.. The saw blades wll cost more than the guitar. That´s the "real" reason they can´t be refretted, and why Ken uses steel frets

I still haven´t had a chance to try the stuff myself, though. But I HAVE finally found a place to acquire the stuff, so it´s only a matter of time

Which reminds me: Jeremy, weren´t you looking for some as well...?