Is it normal for brand new stainless steel frets to have a scratchy feel to them

[Miseria]

Just about completed my build - SUPER happy with it so far.

I just strung the guitar and had it set up by my local shop. Action and intonation is perfect. The only gripe/question I have (couldn't ask when I picked up it as he wasn't there) is the frets have what I'd describe as a scratchy feel when I do vibrato or bends (worse on the bound strings). Does this mean the frets just need a good polishing?

 

[Miseria]

forgot pics

 

[rgand]

I find that a bit of polishing does smooth them out. That'll happen to them on their own as you play, too.

 

[Strat Avenger]

Yep, just need polished.
You have the same bridge I have.  :kewlpics:

 

[Joe1166]

I just received a new neck with stainless steel frets and they are scratchy as compared to my older warmoth ss necks that are completely smooth. I thought warmoth might have put the incorrect fret wire on the new neck and I thought about contacting them. Can a person get a refund if warmoth used the incorrect fret wire?

 

[docteurseb]

I just received a new neck with stainless steel frets and they are scratchy as compared to my older warmoth ss necks that are completely smooth. I thought warmoth might have put the incorrect fret wire on the new neck and I thought about contacting them. Can a person get a refund if warmoth used the incorrect fret wire?

Most likely but you should contact them. I do suspect that scratchy feel is because they need polishing though.

 

[Miseria]

Yep, just need polished.
You have the same bridge I have.  :kewlpics:

I find that a bit of polishing does smooth them out. That'll happen to them on their own as you play, too.

What polishing method do you guys prefer? I did some searching and there seems to be conflicting advice.

On new frets like this (not dirty at all) am I better off taping the fretboard off and going with 0000 steel wool? I also have a ton of super fine sandpaper still laying around from burnishing the neck (400 - 2000 grit). Or some kind of metal polishing compound the best route?

 

[Rick]

I just leave it.  Play it and it'll smooth out nicely.

 

[stratamania]

Tape off the fretboard and use some fine papers from about 600 to 2000 grit then use some compound on a piece of shop towel or lint-free cloth.

I tend to go to 12000 grit with micro-mesh. But that might be a step too far for many people.

Steel wool I don't like as it leaves residue etc and can get attracted to pickups and the like.


http://www.unofficialwarmoth.com/index.php?topic=22445.msg338072#msg338072

 

[rgand]

I've been a Micro Mesh proponent for years until Kevin (Cagey) told me about these polishing papers at StewMac. Now I use those. I bought the set of 6 to start.

 

[stratamania]

I've been a Micro Mesh proponent for years until Kevin (Cagey) told me about these polishing papers at StewMac. Now I use those. I bought the set of 6 to start.

I am going to try those out next and some similar polishing pads. Anything but steel wool particles

 

[Miseria]

I purchased a set of 3m polishing papers that go from like 400 to 4000 then a separate 12000 micro fiber sheet. Also got some polishing compound.

I'd rather not use steel wool if I don't have to and it sounds like I don't I'll report back on the results.

I totally understand that I could just play it and it would break in but it has a tactile feel right now that I really don't care for.

Thanks all!

 

[docteurseb]

With stainless steel, if the frets feel rough it's gonna take a while to 'polish' them just by playing/bending strings. Maybe it'll get there, eventually, but you're not going to get a very enjoyable playing feel in the meantime.
The difference in feel when they are perfectly polished is considerable, strings glide effortlessly.

For stainless steel I normally use a fret crowing tool + sandpaper or micro mesh.
Go finer and finer, don't try to go too fast ( like 800->2000 grit) or they will feel slightly scratchy. I was a bit in a rush for one of my recent builds and it doesn't feel 100% right, I'll have to spend time re-doing it at the next string change.

For the final polishing I use a Dremel with mini buffing wheel. Prior to that I kept using the fret crowning tool + polishing cloth but that gets a little hard on your wrist.

 

[Rick]

Guess I never had a problem then.  They always feel a little grippy at the beginning, but then it goes  away.

 

[docteurseb]

Come to think of it though I do generally level the frets or at the very least roll the fingerboard edges. So either way the polishing / sanding step is absolutely necessary in that case.

Good to know I could get away with it if I were using a them as is.

 

[Logrinn]

With stainless steel, if the frets feel rough it's gonna take a while to 'polish' them just by playing/bending strings. Maybe it'll get there, eventually, but you're not going to get a very enjoyable playing feel in the meantime...

A matter of taste I would say. I'm guessing I'm in the minority here but I actually like frets that are a little "scratchy". They make the guitar sound better and more alive, more bite to the tone.
With the frets all shiny and buffed - like you get after playing - the sound becomes a little more dull. Instead of zing, zing, it's ding, ding ... :icon_jokercolor:

YMMV and all that

 

[Fumblefinger]

Go to 12:30 to see how Freddy polishes new frets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_v6IvrU8gqw

 

[stratamania]

With the frets all shiny and buffed - like you get after playing - the sound becomes a little more dull. Instead of zing, zing, it's ding, ding ... :icon_jokercolor:

YMMV and all that

Sure that's not the strings that are now worn out  ???