Techies, some help

[Bludave]

Re: Techies, some help

now's your chance to experiment with epoxied in frets
easy to remove - just touch the fret with a soldering iron

That's the way I've always seen it done. I have watched my buddy do a gazillion refrets, but I have never done one myself. I recently did a crown and poilsh (with his help) and it took me all night. But my strat plays great now!!

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: Techies, some help

I've always wondered why guitar companies don't use Stainless steel more often.
I guess, now we know. Harder to work with, and chews up tools. Hmmm.

 

[Quencho092]

Re: Techies, some help

dont they sell nickel/steel fretwire? like a certain percentage of each? im sure theres a happy medium where theres little fretwear and it wont break tools.

 

[theodie]

Re: Techies, some help

I looked at getting one of those Jaws handheld fret presses, but it's a pretty hefty investment. On a set neck, you can't use it all the way up the neck, so you still need to learn how to properly hammer them in.

Where does one buy stainless steel fretwire anyway? I know Stewmac, USA Custom Guitars, and Warmoth all sell nickel silver wire, but I've never seen stainless steel fretwire for sale anywhere. Also, is there any difference in tone with stainless steel wire? My Warmoth Strat neck is being delivered on Friday, and I ordered it with stainless steel frets. Since I used a warmer neck wood than you typically find on a Strat, I decided to go with SS wire. I've heard some people say it adds brightness to the tone, and I've heard others say that they couldn't tell any difference.

Ryan

I belive warmoth does sell stainless fret wire without one having to buy the whole neck.

 

[Benjy_26]

Re: Techies, some help

But the tone is to harsh!!!

You really think so? :question:

I actually like the change in sound it gave to the Wildkat. It did give it a bit more zip, but I found it in no way abrasive. I actually think SS strings would change your sound more than SS frets.

Maybe my ears are just shot! :laugh2:

 

[rspst14]

Re: Techies, some help

My Stewmac fretting tools arrived in the mail today. One thing I've noticed is that the tang on their fretwire isn't always at a 90 degree angle with the top of the fretboard. It looks like the fret will be leaning forward or backward when installed. Is this normal, and is that automatically fixed when hammering in the fret? Thanks.

Ryan