Different frets = different sound?

[cheeseface]

So ya see I've owned this one electric guitar for many years. Loved the tone of it. even unamplified. Sound was chunky, hunky, thick, warm. Enough high end to ring and sing. Notes and chords blossomed and bloomed out of it. It had the delightful effect one may associate with slightly overripened fruit if you catch my drift.
The frets were very very low which may have been part of why i found it such a beauty to play. I was having serious intnation problems and the repair guy said it was because the frets needed to be recrowned but they were so low he cuoldn't work with them so a refret was in order.
I selected quite a tall fret wire which i knew would change the feel of the instument but I figured since I put a lot of miles on this thing I'll go with them. they will survive multiple dressings.
Since then it sounds to me thin, plinky,a little glassy but a severe drop in the chunky beef department.
Do you think a big change in fret wire means a big change in sound?
Please discuss.

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Different frets = different sound?

I don't have any experience with frets affecting tone (still have original frets on all my axes), but new frets can change the tone of the guitar a little. Honestly, I don't think they could change the sound of a guitar that much, it might just be in your head. Keep playing the guitar and see how it sounds to you after a while.

 

[cheeseface]

Re: Different frets = different sound?

Actually, since i started this thread a few hours ago, I've thought about it some and have a new teory. Perhaps all that full bodied sound. is still there but due to the taller frets, more metal and less contact between my fingers an the fretboard, there is much more "tinkle" in the sound relative to the deeper juicier frequencies, creating the perception I'm experiencing. The increase in higher frequencies is getting in the way of me hearing those lower ones. Plus I'm having more rattle than I'd like on the lowest string despite having very level frets. I've checked them very thoroughly many times, but that's a problem for an other thread. Perhaps I should shut up and play the hell out of it. That oughtta teach it!

 

[mediumpimpin]

Re: Different frets = different sound?

I bet with a little gettin used to, you'll actually like the way your ax plays better now with the tall frets. My epi lp (my #1) has low frets now due to 6 good yrs of playing, but my agile with jumbos feels nicer actually. I need to get the epi leveled big time b/c its buzz city unplugged. Just keep playing it and you'll get used to it in no time.

 

[tone?]

Re: Different frets = different sound?

yeah i think that different frets will sound a bit different for a guitar. But also i think that necks need a break-in period.
I got my Ibanez roadstar II refretted about 6 months ago and when i got it back i kinda freaked as well. I however used the same fret wire tho. But there was definately a difference. the notes werent blooming and the harmonic content was weaker. The more i play it the better it gets. Now it is playing real sweet again.
I notice this tons in aftermarket necks as well. The more i play my recent USACG the better it gets.

You should have probably put the same type of fret on tho. Dont worry, nothing that cant be fixed. But trust me it WILL sound better the more you play the sucker.