Noob! First Post! Fret Type/Size choice for JB neck built by Warmoth.

[Hawk99TA]

Hello all.  I'm new to the Warmoth, and the forum of course.  It looks like a great place with a lot of great threads! 
So: I'm in the early stages of a Jazz bass build.  I'm building everything except the neck...which is why I'm here.  I REALLY love the way the Warmoth necks look.  So I'm putting my list of neck specs together and found a spot where I need some help...Frets.  I've decided on SS for durability.  So now which model?  So far I'm down to 2 choices.  The SS6105 or the SS6150.  The SS6150 appears to be similar to my 2015 American JB. I like the way it plays...but based on the description for the SS6105, I may like them more.(facilitates lead and rhythm playing)  How do I decide?(I don't have any idea where I could play anything with the SS6105's)  Please give any and all advice and/or opinions.  And let me know if any more details are needed.
Thanks!

 

[stratamania]

Welcome to the forum.

6105 is similar to what you might find on a Steve Vai Jem.

6100
Measuring .118" x .058"

SS6105
Measuring .095" x .047"

SS6150
Measuring .104" x .047

FWSS6115
Measuring .108" x .051"

Personally, I would either go with the SS6150 if that is close to what you are used to or go for the slightly larger SS6100 which despite the description on the Warmoth site do not feel like a scalloped neck. I always order SS6100 for guitar and would do the same for bass.

 

[Cagey]

Waaay back in the olden days, some frets were extruded a bit wider to improve their wearability. If you were using 6105s, 6150s could be expected to last slightly longer. Very little difference in feel, as they're the same height.

With stainless frets, that's not an issue. While you can wear them out, it takes a very long time. For most players, we're talking a lifetime. So, while width would help longevity for the same reason it does on the relatively soft nickel/silver frets, it's just not a concern. Do you need more than a lifetime's longevity?

Bottom line is, since there's really no difference in feel to speak of, you could put either size on.

 

[ghotiphry]

I like SS6100 personally.  Cagey turned me on to it.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I like SS6100 personally.  Cagey turned me on to it.

Same here.

Note: The early Jem's of the late 80's were 6100's, prior to sizing down around 92-93.

You can get much closer to a finer intonation point on top of the fret by using 6115's.  The profile is nearly crowned to playable standards under stricter needs.  You can do a level job on them, and have less crowning involved as part of the process to end up at the same result as what you might spend considerable time doing on a 6100.  They're nearly the same height, but the crown is quite noticeably closer to intonation point on the 6115.

 

[Hawk99TA]

After reading the great info and advice you all have given, and then carefully researching and considering all of the options.  Based on my needs, I am going with the SS6100's.  Thanks everyone! 

 

[Cagey]

I doubt you'll be sorry. Although, I'll warn you up front - one thing you will have to do is lighten up on your chord shapes. You can't manhandle a neck with frets that tall on it, or you'll play out of tune. It won't be out of tune - it'll just sound like it and it'll be your fault. With very tall frets, you can easily press the string(s) down farther between the frets, which sharps them. For lead playing, it's rarely an issue, but chords expose dissonance like nothing else, which is easy to hear.

On the plus side, tall frets are very easy to play, and your control over dynamics improves dramatically, especially when you stop working so hard. Bends and vibrato get super easy. Not to worry - learning to lighten up is pretty easy to get used to doing. You'll find your accuracy and speed improves, which is a Good Thing.

 

[Hawk99TA]

Thanks Cagey.  This is exactly the type of information that I was looking for.  Based on this comment, I'm 100% sure the SS6100's are what I'm looking for.  Awesome.  Thanks again.
Hawk

I doubt you'll be sorry. Although, I'll warn you up front - one thing you will have to do is lighten up on your chord shapes. You can't manhandle a neck with frets that tall on it, or you'll play out of tune. It won't be out of tune - it'll just sound like it and it'll be your fault. With very tall frets, you can easily press the string(s) down farther between the frets, which sharps them. For lead playing, it's rarely an issue, but chords expose dissonance like nothing else, which is easy to hear.

On the plus side, tall frets are very easy to play, and your control over dynamics improves dramatically, especially when you stop working so hard. Bends and vibrato get super easy. Not to worry - learning to lighten up is pretty easy to get used to doing. You'll find your accuracy and speed improves, which is a Good Thing.