ss frets on a 24 3/4 neck

[vtpcnk]

24 3/4 conversion necks on a strat, many people say that the 'sting/snap' is missing in contrast to the standard 25 /12 scale neck.

many people claim that stainless steel frets provide an extra 'plink'/snap.

so how about ss frets on a 24 3/4 neck? will that extra pling of ss frets cancel out on the shorter scale neck?

and there are also claims that ss frets on a 'warmer' wood like rosewood (fretboard) works well.

any insights?

 

[Cagey]

many people claim that stainless steel frets provide an extra 'plink'/snap.

I suspect many people have never played stainless steel frets. They're just repeating what they've heard someone else say, or what they think will happen.

SS frets don't affect your tone. The real biggies influencing the sound/response of an electric are the neck meat, the pickups and the bridge.

Scale has some effect, but I've not been able to pick it out on my guitars. There are too many other differences that I'm sure hide whatever effect the scale is having.

I will say that I think I've heard some difference in hammered/tapped notes on stainless frets, but that could just be my imagination. Also, if it's there, it could also be because of the fret size rather than the material. 

 

[Doughboy]

I have a dozen warmoths & most have SS frets. There is no noticeable tone difference. However, SS frets feel slicker, bends are easier & once you've crowned them, they last forever. I'll never play regular nickel frets again.

Also, I have a Gibson scale strat neck on a soloist with SS frets & it makes no difference in tone. However, it does make a difference in feel as there is a slight slinkier feel to the Gibson scale neck.

Once you go SS, you won't go back.

 

[LushTone]

Stainless frets are all benefits. They provide extra clarity as there is less friction dampening the tone (very subtle). Obviously, the glory of stainless frets lies in the smoother bends and longer life. Also, strings last longer as they don't fill up with oxidation residue from the frets.

As far as scale goes, it does affect the tone. I've owned all three of the most common (24 3/4, 25, 25 1/2), and it mostly affects the 'attack' and sustain of the strings. The shorter scales have less sustain, but tend to have a smoother response. I would also describe the shorter scales as being slightly warmer and the longer scales being slightly brighter.

Also, the scale affects the fretting hand. It's easier to make big stretches on the shorter scales (like major thirds), but harder to fit fingers between the highest frets. It's all possible on both, but it is something to keep in mind.