Sruffie777
New member
I'm having a neck built by Warmoth is there much in tone difference between stainless steel frets from nickel/silver frets?
stainless steel vs nickel
- Thread starter Sruffie777
- Start date
ehdwuld
A Ficus
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
and that would be?
I would think it would never need a refret
some say they are slicker when bending but I wouldn't know
If I built one, thats a $20 option I would like to try
and that would be?
I would think it would never need a refret
some say they are slicker when bending but I wouldn't know
If I built one, thats a $20 option I would like to try
longcat
New member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
i was wondering the same thing, but i thought it was just because i'm new, lol. i've also heard they can be a bit brighter, but obviously can't back it up one way or the other.
i was wondering the same thing, but i thought it was just because i'm new, lol. i've also heard they can be a bit brighter, but obviously can't back it up one way or the other.
crusty philtrum
Vintageologist
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I built a guitar last year with a neck from Warmoth and i opted for the gold frets, which are apparently harder than nickel but not as hard as stainless. They do seem to be a little brighter than regular frets, but i have only heard the gold frets on the guitar in question, it wasn't a re-fret. I'd imagine that s/s would be a little brighter again.
I built a guitar last year with a neck from Warmoth and i opted for the gold frets, which are apparently harder than nickel but not as hard as stainless. They do seem to be a little brighter than regular frets, but i have only heard the gold frets on the guitar in question, it wasn't a re-fret. I'd imagine that s/s would be a little brighter again.
uOpt
Something Cool
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
Acoustically? Sure. Through the pickups? Nah. If anything the fret size (weight) plays a role.
However, the truss rod that Warmoth puts in there (they have 3 or 4 variants) will have a major impact. I advise caution.
Acoustically? Sure. Through the pickups? Nah. If anything the fret size (weight) plays a role.
However, the truss rod that Warmoth puts in there (they have 3 or 4 variants) will have a major impact. I advise caution.
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
The only guitar I have with Stainless frets also has other features that makes it hard to tell how much of a diff the SS frets make. (has a fiberglass composite board and SS frets) Mine has a bright, (not in a bad way)crisp tone. bends and stuff is ungodly easy on this guitar. Due to both the slick frets and the SLICK board. I love that the frets will almost never wear out and I dont see anything that would deter me from doing SS frets in the future..
The only guitar I have with Stainless frets also has other features that makes it hard to tell how much of a diff the SS frets make. (has a fiberglass composite board and SS frets) Mine has a bright, (not in a bad way)crisp tone. bends and stuff is ungodly easy on this guitar. Due to both the slick frets and the SLICK board. I love that the frets will almost never wear out and I dont see anything that would deter me from doing SS frets in the future..
KeeperOS
New member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I also only have one SS-fretted guitar which however is also my favorite guitar. They feel absolutely amazing, just like normal nickel/silver frets feel immediately after a good polish, but always!
I cannot comment about their effect in tone but I can tell you this guitar is not lacking in mids and definitely doesn't have too much highs.
Personally if there was the possibility I'd have them on all of my guitars...
I also only have one SS-fretted guitar which however is also my favorite guitar. They feel absolutely amazing, just like normal nickel/silver frets feel immediately after a good polish, but always!
I cannot comment about their effect in tone but I can tell you this guitar is not lacking in mids and definitely doesn't have too much highs.
Personally if there was the possibility I'd have them on all of my guitars...
Masta' C
Well-known member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I've had a lot of experience with stainless frets (Parker Fly, Parker NiteFly x 2, Carvin custom order, SoulMate custom neck-through, Anthem WRT-30) and have many non-stainless guitars, as well.
I like the smoothness and resistance to wear of the stainless, but, tonally, particularly through an amp, the difference is negligible.
Pick type, hand position, playing attack, body woods, pickups, bridge type and even fret size have more impact on your sound than the fret material does! Not saying there is no difference...just saying it's not significant enough to be a concern.
I've had a lot of experience with stainless frets (Parker Fly, Parker NiteFly x 2, Carvin custom order, SoulMate custom neck-through, Anthem WRT-30) and have many non-stainless guitars, as well.
I like the smoothness and resistance to wear of the stainless, but, tonally, particularly through an amp, the difference is negligible.
Pick type, hand position, playing attack, body woods, pickups, bridge type and even fret size have more impact on your sound than the fret material does! Not saying there is no difference...just saying it's not significant enough to be a concern.
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
HUGE difference. They are super bright. They also transfer more energy for more sustain and more beef in the low mids. Frets bend like buttah, but probably wear strings faster.
Biggest surprise was how bright they are compared tp nickel. I had to re-eq the amp.
Not bad per -se, just different. IMO, it'd be best to have them spec'd by a Luthier for a particular instrument.
HUGE difference. They are super bright. They also transfer more energy for more sustain and more beef in the low mids. Frets bend like buttah, but probably wear strings faster.
Biggest surprise was how bright they are compared tp nickel. I had to re-eq the amp.
Not bad per -se, just different. IMO, it'd be best to have them spec'd by a Luthier for a particular instrument.
JordanM82
New member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
Same exact situation for me, same exact perspective... I would put em on all my guitars if I could...
Same exact situation for me, same exact perspective... I would put em on all my guitars if I could...
KeeperOS
New member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I cannot confirm that but I do have a theory about it.
My guitar has tall-thin/medium frets. I am guessing most that order SS frets also order them Jumbo which means more metal to make contact with the strings, less contact with the fretboard wood thus, a more metallic-sounding tone which many would perceive as "bright".
Perhaps that's where many of these testimonies stem from, rather than the actual fret material.
Like I said however, I have never actually heard both N/S and SS frets on the EXACT same instrument to be able to A/B but the one that does have them makes me wanna put them in all of the rest...
I cannot confirm that but I do have a theory about it.
My guitar has tall-thin/medium frets. I am guessing most that order SS frets also order them Jumbo which means more metal to make contact with the strings, less contact with the fretboard wood thus, a more metallic-sounding tone which many would perceive as "bright".
Perhaps that's where many of these testimonies stem from, rather than the actual fret material.
Like I said however, I have never actually heard both N/S and SS frets on the EXACT same instrument to be able to A/B but the one that does have them makes me wanna put them in all of the rest...
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
Ive seen your guitars. Why on gods green earht would you put tall medium frets on them??
Thats beyond bizarre! Its like putting All season radials on a car that calls for fat ass racing tires.
Your guitars need 6000's. If not, your really missing the boat.
Ive seen your guitars. Why on gods green earht would you put tall medium frets on them??
Thats beyond bizarre! Its like putting All season radials on a car that calls for fat ass racing tires.
Your guitars need 6000's. If not, your really missing the boat.
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
Can't speak tonally about the ss frets,but I'm sure they would last longer...The height and width of the frets and not just the material,also affect tone...To me..thin vintage style frets like used on a strat,make for a more articulate note sound compared to a medium jumbo..
Can't speak tonally about the ss frets,but I'm sure they would last longer...The height and width of the frets and not just the material,also affect tone...To me..thin vintage style frets like used on a strat,make for a more articulate note sound compared to a medium jumbo..
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
MetalManiac
Li'l Junior Member
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I actually do nOT understand this. IMO its not a matter of taste , style, tone or playability. The thin crap went out with tech progress. Theres no need for that sH*t any longer. Its obsolete , and serves no legitimate purpose.
Fender went to at LEASTto medium Jumbos, and thats progress.
I actually do nOT understand this. IMO its not a matter of taste , style, tone or playability. The thin crap went out with tech progress. Theres no need for that sH*t any longer. Its obsolete , and serves no legitimate purpose.
Fender went to at LEASTto medium Jumbos, and thats progress.
the guy who invented fire
Fuzzy. Guitars
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I had one neck with SS frets and I'll never ever have one again.
I hated the way they sounded and felt.
FWIW on the fret size thing go with whatever feels good...I actually like vintage style frets on some of my guitars...
I had one neck with SS frets and I'll never ever have one again.
I hated the way they sounded and felt.
FWIW on the fret size thing go with whatever feels good...I actually like vintage style frets on some of my guitars...
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
Read my post and get the info I put out there....I'm saying a thinner fret gives a guitar an overall cleaner tone compared to a larger fret...I'm not saying I prefer the thinner frets...Why the attitude?
Read my post and get the info I put out there....I'm saying a thinner fret gives a guitar an overall cleaner tone compared to a larger fret...I'm not saying I prefer the thinner frets...Why the attitude?
STRATDELUXER97
Stratoblaster Tone Meister
Re: stainless steel vs nickel
I Like the thinner frets on some of my strats also..Every guitar is tonally different..
I Like the thinner frets on some of my strats also..Every guitar is tonally different..
