Strats - MIA Frets vs MIM Frets

[Twang Man]

The MIA Strats have medium jumbo frets and the MIM Strats have vintage frets which are smaller. I know the frets on the MIM are not as wide, but are they also shorter too, or are they the same height but just thinner?

Since they are saying the MIM frets are Vintage style frets it sounds like they are saying that the frets on the MIM series are like the old 50's & 60's Strats. Is this really the case? I was thinking the older strats had the bigger frets like the MIA does nowdays but I haven't seen a true vintage Strat up close in quite a while and can't remember.

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Strats - MIA Frets vs MIM Frets

Yup, narrower and shorter. I belive all vintage strats had this smaller fretwire. I prefer the medium jumbo frets myself.

 

[beandip]

Re: Strats - MIA Frets vs MIM Frets

I usually like medium-jumbo or jumbo frets, but I dont have a problem bending on a MIM standard, but if I pickup a 57 or 62 RI, it's hell.

 

[Twang Man]

Re: Strats - MIA Frets vs MIM Frets

Thanks and I went and checked the specs on the Fender site.

There "Vintage Series" Strats, which would be the 57 Strat and 62 Strat, both come with Vintage frets.

Their "Classic Series" Strats which would be the 50's Strat, 60's Strat & 70's Strat all come with Vintage frets aslo.

With the "Artists Series" the fret size varies from vintage to super jumbo from guitar to guitar.

Since Fender is now making the MIM series with Alder bodies I was thinking about getting one but I don't know how much I would like the smaller frets. I do have small hands though. As a matter of fact I have trouble on some of the boogie woogie progressions played off the open E because of my hands. When I stretch my pinky down to fret the E 7th note (5th string on 5th fret) it tends to pull my index finger off its position on the b note on the 5th string and up on top of the 2nd fret when I'm playing on short frets.
I may have to go with a Hiway 1. I'm trying to decide between a Hiway 1 and a MIM Std Strat. The perfect frets for me would have the tallness of the medium jumbos but thinner. Tom Anderson medium frets are lik that and I love them. I wonder if Fender makes that type of fret, perhaps the custom shop.

Is there anywhere on the web where on can buy that size fret wire?

How much is a fret job generally?
Thanks