So... I really like stainless frets.

[Top-L]

Two years ago purchased a MIK LTD M-1000. At the time of purchase, the website didn't mention it had stainless, so I thought they were standard nickel/silver of a high quality. They looked "new new" to me and shiny, but nothing out of the ordinary. The guitar was brand new so I didn't think anything of it. It had been a long time for me since buying a new guitar.

Fast forward two years, 18 months of tennis elbow recovery and not playing at all... and now picking it up again. The M-1000 frets are absolutely as shiny as the day I got it. All my other guitar's frets look dingy.

It required some spot levels when I got it, and it didn't destroy my files, so its not impossible to work with either.

Now when buying a new guitar, I'm looking for STAINLESS frets. They aren't impossible to work, apparently they last 5x longer (which is good for me as I am brutal on frets), and they stay SHINY! Surprised how few guitars have them. Some of the LTD Deluxe guitars have stainless. The Jacksons in that price range don't seem to. Any other brands that put stainless on their 1000-1500 guitars?

 

[devastone]

I'm with you, I have 2 Schecter SVSS Exotics with SS frets (well, one is a prototype so not like the ones that are available), it isn't a deal breaker on other guitars, but it does give some an advantage for sure.

The better part is that if you have been playing the guitar hours per day for those 18 months, there still probably wouldn't be any wear on them.

 

[Mincer]

All guitars should have stainless frets. When I take my 82 Strat to get refretted, it will get stainless. Such a small thing, but I really love them.

 

[Clint 55]

Stainless are great. They don't wear and the feel on bends is nicer. You don't feel the string sawing away at the fret like with nickel. People have made fun of me for that statement before but I came across this video on the jazz forum lol. You can literally see the string eroding the nickel fret with each pass. I'm not wit that.

 

[Masta' C]

Yeah, there's no logical reason nickel silver frets are in wide use still other than "tradition" and cost savings in manufacturing.

Even then, $300 guitars are now coming with stainless frets, so it's not like it can't be done reasonably.

 

[GuitarStv]

Every guitar should have stainless steel frets. They are objectively better in every way.

 

[Mincer]

Nickel is just cheaper, and companies have sold the 'vintage' moniker for years to get people used to (and requesting) less expensive materials.

 

[Top-L]

I'm with you, I have 2 Schecter SVSS Exotics with SS frets (well, one is a prototype so not like the ones that are available), it isn't a deal breaker on other guitars, but it does give some an advantage for sure.

The better part is that if you have been playing the guitar hours per day for those 18 months, there still probably wouldn't be any wear on them.

So basically Shecter, LTD Deluxe, Harley Benton cheapies....

Do any of the Fender or Gibson brands use them? Ibanez?

What was surprising to me is that the LTD Deluxe guitars get them, but the ESP EII guitars don't.

 

[LRS]

I checked a Yamaha Revstar (made in Indonesia) the other day in my local guitar store. Very nice ss fretwork, not bad at all for a €700,- guitar. Too bad the neck profile was way out of my comfort zone, so I didn’t take her home. Ss frets should be the industry standard.

 

[Rex_Rocker]

Do any of the Fender or Gibson brands use them? Ibanez?

Maybe on one of their brands like Kramer, Jackson, etc., but I'm pretty sure Gibson or even Fender will never use them in anything other than one off's or the occasional artist sig.

 

[devastone]

So basically Shecter, LTD Deluxe, Harley Benton cheapies....

Do any of the Fender or Gibson brands use them? Ibanez?

What was surprising to me is that the LTD Deluxe guitars get them, but the ESP EII guitars don't.

Some of the Ibanez Prestige models do, the are around the $2k range, some of the Premiums may have them(?).

Not sure about F or G, G would probably be the last to add them, because, G.