Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

[Jackson Distortion]

Is there a massive difference in playability between these fret wires? I'd be going from Jumbo to Medium is why I've asked. All of my guitars have Jumbo frets, but I've been looking at the Ibanez Paul Stanley models (which sport medium frets), but I'm not sure if it'd be a good idea.

Any info would be appreciated! :^)

 

[AlexR]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Playability is not an absolute term.....it depends entirely on your technique, experience and ability to adapt.

 

[Jackson Distortion]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Good point(s?).

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Is there a massive difference in playability between these fret wires?

Not for me.

I just play.

NB: fretwire with similar dimensions is classified both as jumbo and medium by different makers, so... what was your question again...?

 

[HiFiRebel]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

I have two Strats. One has jumbo and th other has medium ones. They're different, but not drastically.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

They feel different on the fingers. I replaced the standard frets on my Strat with the largest fret on the planet (Dunlop 6000) and I like it a lot. They last longer too.

 

[JB_From_Hell]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

I've always claimed I prefer huge frets, but my favorite guitar (USA Peavey Predator), has small frets. As the others said, it'll feel different, but it's not the end of the world. I have a really hard time taking people seriously when they play like crap, then attribute it to something like the frets being too small, the strings too heavy/light, the wrong pick, etc... Don't be that guy

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

The main thing that "kinda" throws me off is tiny fretwire & a smaller radius(ie older Strats)...

Other than that,I'm pretty good to go.

 

[philthis]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

some custom guitar companies out there actually put smaller fret wire above the 12th or 14th fret anyway. too big of frets can pull the note sharp or be take a wile to learn to slide up and down on the neck when playing chords or solo's. I like medium jumbo frets myself. they are easy to bend notes on for me. if your used to large frets the smaller frets will take some time to learn and adjust to. I had a Fender pink paisley tele that I loved to play but I hated the small frets. A fret job can be done and its not "life changing" expensive to do.

 

[80's_Metal]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Seems like everything is Jumbo these days."scalloped feel they claim" Its ok with me, because it lasts a really long time. But truth be known, I do prefer medium fret wire.

 

[ehdwuld]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

My Ibanez guitars have the super jumbos
And they do go sharp if you press down too hard

I play a lot of acoustic and have a heavy grip

I recently got a Epi with the lower wider frets

My fingers don't get tired or sore at all on the Epi

Friend got one of the Ibanez semi hollow guitar
He complained of notes going sharp
I suspect its the jumbo frets

Thank you Jerry

 

[dave74]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

I prefer medium-jumbo over super/extra-jumbo, mainly because of the height,,,,but really I'm happy with either if the neck is thin like 18-19mm.

With a thicker necked guitar I'd want mediums for sure.

 

[stef89]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

I was in the same situation a year back. All my guitars had jumbo frets on them, then I got a guitar with medium frets. It took a wile for me to adapt because with medium frets my fingers would touch the fretboard which never happened with jumbo's. But medium frets are a joy to play once I got used to it because they are smaller and the fretboard feels less cramped, also the smaller frets produce a more woodier sound to my ears.

 

[Mr. B]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

On a guitar like a strat set up for blues, I like Jumbo Frets because they allow you to "get under" the string better for bends without having high string action. It keeps the fretboard away from your fingers while bending so they don't drag on the wood.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Allparts Gigantijumbo all the way.

 

[MkIII Renegade]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Only guitar I don't mind more vintage sized frets on is a Telecaster, although up to medium jumbo are very nice on them (I am a traditionalist when it comes to Teles).

For anything else, I can't get enough jumbo fret love. The ULTIMATE is the Yngwie Strat with Dunlop Super Jumbos + deep scallops. It will spoil you for other necks once you get used to it. :bigeyes:

 

[Coma]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Not sure what exactly constitutes medium frets. Can you provide a reference point?

 

[LtKojak]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Being Jumbo or medium it refers to the WIDTH of the fretwire.

As it can be easily seen in this very thread, most think it's referred to how TALL they are.

Look Stew-Mac as a reference point, although they refer to them as "Narrow", "Medium" and "Wide".

Other known good manufacturers of fretwire are Dunlop and Jascar in the US and Ferd Wagner in Europe.

HTH,

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Being Jumbo or medium it refers to the WIDTH of the fretwire.

As it can be easily seen in this very thread, most think it's referred to how TALL they are.

No.

 

[DrNewcenstein]

Re: Medium frets versus Jumbo frets

Jumbo frets are what you'd typically see on a bass. Most production guitars that don't adhere to vintage specs like Gibson and Fender will have medium jumbo. Custom/boutique instruments may get special fret re-shaping, but production-line models will usually get it straight off the spool with no changes other than polishing (shining it up, no surface changes).

I'm more familiar with medium jumbos found on most import Jackson guitars, but do prefer jumbos on a guitar neck, especially a bolt-on.