Frets- Jumbo vs. Medium

[Torment Leaves Scars]

So, I'm running into some money and I've decided to either order a Jackson Custom Shop Warrior or Star, or a Moser Custom Shop FastStar.  I'm leaning towards the FastStar first, because Neal Moser isn't getting any younger, and who knows when he's gonna retire...

Being a custom guitar, I'm obviously going to have to weigh all my options, and I feel this is most certainly one of those more important options to consider.

Anyway, I have jumbo frets on my Warmoth, and probably most of my other guitars, I'm guessing, except for my 2003 Jackson KV2, which I was just notified that had medium frets.  I always did think they looked a little "flat" on the top (...or something...), and figured that was just the nature of the beast, and they were probably jumbos as well, but, they aren't...they're mediums.

What are the advantages/disadvantages of both?  I keep hearing conflicting stories; the jumbos are better because you can shred faster and they require a lighter touch, there's not as much of a chance of "fretting out," and they just sound better.  Then, I hear the mediums are better because they're "faster," plus when pressed, they don't go "sharp" as often.  :icon_scratch:

Discuss (and don't turn this into a pissing war between the two...)!  :glasses10:

 

[SustainerPlayer]

It is a matter of taste. Nothing more. Some likes one over the other. Most proficient players would play both without much notice. But when given the choice - choose the one you like best.

 

[tfarny]

Yeah, it's just what you like. I like the little guys - 6130, but that's a real minority opinion around here.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I've never had to have a guitar refretted or anything, so I'm not too concerned about that (I guess...), but will one type of fret last longer than another?  I'm definitely going with ss frets, BTW...

 

[erogenousjones17]

Yeah, it's just what you like. I like the little guys - 6130, but that's a real minority opinion around here.

I thought I was the only one... I went 6150 on the neck on my LPS, but I kinda wish I'd gone with something a bit smaller. The smaller frets on my Strat are just about perfect, but I don't know what size they are.  :-\

 

[Jusatele]

I like a Medium Jumbo, others like a large jumbo, it is rumored you get more bounce off the bigger wire but I think it is a matter of how much you like to feel wood not wire.
I do know that bigger wire is more modern do find an old jazz box and see how you like the frets.

 

[Cagey]

I've never had to have a guitar refretted or anything, so I'm not too concerned about that (I guess...), but will one type of fret last longer than another?  I'm definitely going with ss frets, BTW...

If you've never had to have a guitar refretted before, it's highly unlikely you'll ever need to with SS frets. They last a long time. But, as far as life expectancy in general goes, taller and wider not only makes for slower wear, it also leaves room for refinishing so you don't have to refret.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

I've never had to have a guitar refretted or anything, so I'm not too concerned about that (I guess...), but will one type of fret last longer than another?  I'm definitely going with ss frets, BTW...

If you've never had to have a guitar refretted before, it's highly unlikely you'll ever need to with SS frets. They last a long time. But, as far as life expectancy in general goes, taller and wider not only makes for slower wear, it also leaves room for refinishing so you don't have to refret.

I wouldn't know when I'd need to refret anyway...  :dontknow:

 

[Jusatele]

I've never had to have a guitar refretted or anything, so I'm not too concerned about that (I guess...), but will one type of fret last longer than another?  I'm definitely going with ss frets, BTW...

If you've never had to have a guitar refretted before, it's highly unlikely you'll ever need to with SS frets. They last a long time. But, as far as life expectancy in general goes, taller and wider not only makes for slower wear, it also leaves room for refinishing so you don't have to refret.

I wouldn't know when I'd need to refret anyway...  :dontknow:

you get a BUZZ about it. then you know

 

[Cagey]

I wouldn't know when I'd need to refret anyway...  :dontknow:

Every time you change strings! <grin>

Seriously, you'll know. As Jusatele says, you'll get buzzes, fret-outs, inconsistent feel, etc. Depending on your playing style, it's possible for it to get fairly bad before you notice, while for some it shows up early on. Usually, it's obvious just by looking at the frets, but I've played some guitars with frets that looked wrecked but played ok as long as you weren't doing a lot of vibrato/bends/etc. Plus, a certain amount of wear can be mitigated just by adjusting bridge height or neck relief, so you can put off the big expense until the last minute. Be aware, though, that it's like dental caries - you don't want it to get too far or you won't be resurfacing the frets, you'll be putting in replacements.

 

[Strat Avenger]

I like both. I have 2 guitars with Extra-jumbos, and 3 guitars with medium-jumbo. If I could choose only one, I'd go with medium.
I hate small frets.

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Do medium sized frets tend to live a long life?  I don't do a whole lot of bends and what-not, I'm more of a "tremolo guy."  arty07:

 

[Strat Avenger]

Do medium sized frets tend to live a long life?  I don't do a whole lot of bends and what-not, I'm more of a "tremolo guy."   arty07:

Mediums last plenty long. Of course the lifespan of any fret material will depend on how much and how aggressively the guitar is played...

 

[Torment Leaves Scars]

Do medium sized frets tend to live a long life?  I don't do a whole lot of bends and what-not, I'm more of a "tremolo guy."   arty07:

Mediums last plenty long. Of course the lifespan of any fret material will depend on how much and how aggressively the guitar is played...

Okay, good to know, cuz if I get a neck-through, I don't wanna find myself really screwed...

 

[Strat Avenger]

By the way, my idea of "Medium" is 6150 or 6105.

To answer your original question; An advantage is that a larger and taller fret helps to get a better "grip" on, or control of the string. A disadvantage is that the wider they are, the more "cluttered" everything feels when playing above the 15th fret, since they are closer together. A narrower fret can deliver more precise intonation, provided that the player does not press to hard and cause the note to go sharp. Wider frets are less likely to have that issue. A larger fret can take more levels &  re-crowns before complete replacement is necessary.

 

[anorakDan]

Does anyone have an idea of what Gibson was using for frets in the mid-60s? I had an SG jr with a perfect neck and fret height for me. I remember the frets being fairly low and wide. I don't think the neck had ever been refretted.

WHen I build my first Warmoth, I would like to try to duplicate that neck because it fit me so well. Or I got used to it and that's why it felt so nice, but I haven't played a guitar since that was so just right.

 

[Jusatele]

Makes me cry you sold it, Well I cannot answer that but will do a Google search

 

[Jusatele]

.095 wide and .045 tall, took 2minutes with Google

 

[Jusatele]

Nickle silver alloy, another 30 seconds

 

[anorakDan]

Teletuby, were those posts in response to my question? If so, thank you for doing the work for me!