Bass fret size

[hannaugh]

I'm going to order the neck for my short scale tomorrow.  I'm going to definitely get SS frets, I just don't know what size to get.  Is there a different preference for frets on a bass than when you're choosing frets for a guitar?

 

[Cagey]

I'm not a bass player, so take all this with a grain of salt, but here's what I think -

Bass frequencies are pretty low, and you don't chord as often on a bass as you do a guitar, so sharping the strings as a result of pressing too hard on a tall fret probably isn't nearly the big deal it is on guitars. Also, since the strings are thicker, they're less likely to sink in between frets from pressing hard on them. So, I'd put the biggest, fattest SS frets on you can - 6100s. Being tall won't hurt playability, tone or musicality, and being tall and wide means if you ever do manage to wear them down, you've got plenty of meat left to level/recrown them without even noticing it's been done.

 

[reluctant-builder]

I've got pretty fat frets on my bass, but I'm still not a bass player. They work nicely for me, though. I can measure them when I get home.

In the meantime, send Corey P. a PM and ask him; he's a bassist.

 

[Corey P.]

My ears were ringing, lol - Cagey's reasons for wide frets are sound, and additionally, bending just doesn't really happen on a bass beyond some vibrato. That said, I personally went with 6105s, since to get wider widths with SS frets you'd need to go fairly tall, and depending on how heavy your touch is you can definitely alter the pitch a fair bit; it's a little easier to get truer pitches with shorter frets.  I'm not sure if you're using the mute (sort of a sponge/foam deal) with the bridge cover, but since you're going vintage I'd consider the 6105s or even 6230s.

My personal choice would be the 6105s (that's what I had installed on the Jaguar), but if you're a heavier left hand player or want to keep with the vintage aesthetic the 6230s might be for you, plus since they're SS you won't need to worry about having much play to account for fretwear.  Also, you can do a lot of cool 4 string 7th chords, and with the shorter scale it should be fairly comfortable.

Truth be told, there's no "bad" SS fret choice for bass, though 6100 and 6115 scare me, lol.

 

[Cagey]

Do not be afraid; it is only a fret size <grin>

I was a bit anxious after ordering my first Warmoth neck with 6100s on it, but I've never in my life been so happy with a fret as I have been with those. I have them on everything but my acoustic and bass now, and if I could justify it, I'd have them on those as well. After seeing Tonar do his Taylor with 6100s, I'm even more inclined to put them on. Need a couple/few more tools, though.

 

[drewfx]

I always get 6150's on my W bass necks. They seem to be pretty similar to all my other basses.

 

[bagman67]

I am in love with my SS6115's on Quty Pie, but she's not a bass so my experience may not be appropriate to your question.  But I figured here was as good a place as any to brag about what an awesome job Cagey did on dressing the frets.

 

[Cagey]

Thank you for the kind words. Those frets were not just dressed, but levelled, crowned, dressed and polished. On stainless steel.

Of course, to be honest I have to say it helped that they were new frets installed at Warmoth. I didn't have to correct a bad install or years of abuse. But, that doesn't scare me, either. You should see some of the seemingly hopeless crap I've made look/feel/perform better than it ever did new.

 

[stubhead]

DAG NAB IT, I knew I FORGOT SOMETHING.....

:sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :help:

 

[Cagey]

Oh, fer crissakes! How could you forget frets?

 

[Patrick from Davis]

I have a bass with vintage frets on it, and one with the SS 6100's on it.  I really don't notice much of a difference playing wise.  The strings are big which makes the size of the fret much less noticeable to me.  If you were going for the Jeff Berlin style, it might make more of a difference.  I, however, just make it thump a lot, so it is not a large consideration.
Patrick

 

[Super Turbo Deluxe Custom]

Exactly.  I've got 2 basses with 6130s and one with 6150s, though neither are stainless, I can't tell a playable difference like on guitar for all the reasons mentioned.  In your case Hannaugh, all the reasons for you going shortscale were for playability relating to handsize.  This detail wouldn't even be felt with your hands, IMO.  My suggestion would be to go smaller just for playability piece of mind.  You'll never fret sharp on a bass with either, and if not for gunk buildup, you'd never even know your fingers were to touch the fretboard on a bass.

 

[reluctant-builder]

Just measured my Hagstrom and it seems to have the equivalent of Warmoth's 6105 frets.

Edit: It's a 30.75 scale bass, btw.

 

[hannaugh]

Cool, thanks for the advice, guys.  I have a pretty light touch in general.  I think I might go a little bigger this time just to get longer life out of them. 

 

[line6man]

DAG NAB IT, I knew I FORGOT SOMETHING.....

:sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :help:

Wow! You totally forgot to put the fretlines on those. That sucks!

 

[AprioriMark]

Get 6150s and never look back (or the similar ss fretwire).  Small frets are retarded on bass guitars.  Get a good chunk of metal or none at all!

-Mark

 

[hannaugh]

Just ordered!  I got the SS6150s!  :headbang:

 

[Cagey]

I'm sure you'll be very happy. Stainless frets are the whip.

 

[line6man]

Same frets I ordered for my Strat neck.  :blob7:

 

[lidesnowi]

DAG NAB IT, I knew I FORGOT SOMETHING.....

:sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :sad: :sad1: :help:

bridge pickups!