Stainless Steel Frets? Hmm..

[Neo Fender]

Disclaimer: I do not own nor have I played a guitar or bass with stainless steel frets.  However, the next time I  kit a new guitar or neck, I would likely go with stainless steel frets.  I’m just providing a link to one luthier’s perspective: http://avhguitarrepair.com/repair-blog/stainless-steel-frets-hmm/

 

[stankybudz]

From what I've heard about them, they will make the tone a little thinner, but everyone seems to love them and I too will most likely get them!

 

[Patrick from Davis]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless.  In theory this could be a factor, but in practice it is not noticeable.  The wear and feel is noticeable, and you should probably base your decision on those factors as they will have far more impact on your playing and sound.
Patrick

 

[dmraco]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless.  In theory this could be a factor, but in practice it is not noticeable.  The wear and feel is noticeable, and you should probably base your decision on those factors as they will have far more impact on your playing and sound.
Patrick

+1000

 

[AutoBat]

I won't order a neck without stainless frets unless there's a showcase that's too amazing to pass up otherwise.

 

[Strat Avenger]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless.  In theory this could be a factor, but in practice it is not noticeable.  The wear and feel is noticeable, and you should probably base your decision on those factors as they will have far more impact on your playing and sound.
Patrick

THIS ^

 

[LushTone]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless.  In theory this could be a factor, but in practice it is not noticeable.  The wear and feel is noticeable, and you should probably base your decision on those factors as they will have far more impact on your playing and sound.
Patrick

+1000

+1000

 

[LushTone]

I won't buy another guitar without them. Unless it's an acoustic, where I imagine they're almost impossible to come by.

 

[SustainerPlayer]

I have tried them and will probably never use them again. Overall the community here is very positively biased upon the virtues of SS frets.

But do try them out and form an opinion based on your own experience. 

 

[Steve_Karl]

I’m just providing a link to one luthier’s perspective:
http://avhguitarrepair.com/repair-blog/stainless-steel-frets-hmm/

Paging Cagey ... cheap tools alert!
Please set this guy right.
Thank you, and have several nice days!

 

[Cagey]

Stainless frets play like a dream and last forever. I've never heard a tonal difference with them, and I've worked on a LOT of necks with those installed.

As for the "luthier" at the OP's link, I'm not sure why he has the trouble he does. There seems to be a conspiracy out there to keep the price of stainless fretwork high, as all the shops want to nail you for it, some of them charging as much as double for stainless vs. standard frets. You do need to buy good tools, but they're out there. The only thing I haven't found a reliable replacement for is the fret nippers. You're lucky to get through one job with a new pair. But, you only need those when you're installing the frets originally. Installing, bevelling, levelling, crowning, dressing, polishing, etc. are all easily accomplished with diamond tools and aluminum oxide polishing papers/pads.

I do that sort of work here and I don't charge any premium at all, unless it's a complete fret replacement and I have to buy a pair of nippers.

 

[swarfrat]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless. 

Hah! I remember as a kid reading the Mesa Boogie ad copy, (which was only a step or two tamed down from Drew Kelly, aka DAK of ThunderLizard fame).  I remember reading about the singing tone, and when I finally got to play one, I thought it should have been 'singe-ing' rather than 'singing'.

 

[LushTone]

The tone comments are more or less meaningless. 

Hah! I remember as a kid reading the Mesa Boogie ad copy, (which was only a step or two tamed down from Drew Kelly, aka DAK of ThunderLizard fame).  I remember reading about the singing tone, and when I finally got to play one, I thought it should have been 'singe-ing' rather than 'singing'.

I agree with the tone comments being meaningless. Hipshot makes highly-rated bridges with all stainless steel saddles. This is a comparable contributor to tone, and people seem to agree with Hipshot bridges very nicely.

 

[mystique1]

I have a 59 Roundback with SS6150 frets on my Strat build, and with the same pups in my Fender Am Std the Warmoth sounds way thicker. With SS refrets are a thing of the past, which was one of the main attractions for me.

 

[Patrick from Davis]

My comment is only there to state, whether you don't like them or you do, the material is going to make an insignificant impact on your sound.  I don't really notice the difference with how they play, but I do like that they do not wear at the rate nickle brass frets wear.  So for me it is really a practical choice based on durability.
Patrick

 

[mullyman]

Disclaimer: I do not own nor have I played a guitar or bass with stainless steel frets.  However, the next time I  kit a new guitar or neck, I would likely go with stainless steel frets.  I’m just providing a link to one luthier’s perspective: http://avhguitarrepair.com/repair-blog/stainless-steel-frets-hmm/

Is it just me or do those "flat spots" seem to be nowhere near the frets? I've been using SS frets for a few years now and have NEVER seen anything like that on my strings, even if they've been on there for 2 months. This was supposedly the next day. I personally believe those are rust spots from sitting in the package too long. I've seen that quite often with old packs of DR's or other strings that aren't sealed really well.
MULLY

 

[Cagey]

No, it's not just you. I wondered the same thing. Also, I don't seem to suffer from that effect, either.

It doesn't make sense, anyway. Almost anyone who plays them will say playing on stainless frets feels like playing on glass. Why? Because there's a lot less friction. Less friction = less wear. It's why we oil engines and other machinery. If the strings were abrading on the frets, it would translate in more effort to move the strings on the frets for bends and vibrato. You'd feel it. Just like you feel it when playing on nickel/silver frets, and you see the frets and strings both wearing faster.

 

[mullyman]

Let me put it like this....regardless of what anyone thinks about the man or his playing, Eddie Van Halen knows his stuff when it comes to guitars. No one can argue that one. The new Wolfgang's come with SS frets. There's an interview somewhere where Eddie himself is going on about how great they are.

I'll take his word for it.
MULLY

 

[Patrick from Davis]

No, it's not just you. I wondered the same thing. Also, I don't seem to suffer from that effect, either.

It doesn't make sense, anyway. Almost anyone who plays them will say playing on stainless frets feels like playing on glass. Why? Because there's a lot less friction. Less friction = less wear. It's why we oil engines and other machinery. If the strings were abrading on the frets, it would translate in more effort to move the strings on the frets for bends and vibrato. You'd feel it. Just like you feel it when playing on nickel/silver frets, and you see the frets and strings both wearing faster.

I half agree with this.  It is technically correct.  However, I tend to dig into the frets with my playing style, so the like playing on glass aspect is greatly reduced.  If your fingers play like those Kung Fu actors that dance across water while acrobatically proving who's kung fu is stronger, then I would suppose that stainless would be very slick.  I play like I am wrestling a bear, and the slickness of stainless isn't nearly as noticeable. 

The amount of wear on the frets is quite noticeable, and I will gladly pay $20 for a more durable fret material.
Patrick

 

[Cagey]

Buddy of mine plays like that. Just wrestles with the damn guitar like he's trying to teach it a lesson. Puts my guitars out of tune every time he comes over. But, he notices the difference. Loves the stainless, although none of his guitars have them because he hasn't bought a guitar in quite some time.