Fret size pros/cons:which do you use?

[Axehandle]

As I look into buying a neck I see they come with a variety of fret sizes. What are the pros/cons of the different sizes? I currently play a Tele thinline reissue..not sure what the fret size would be. I know it would be ideal to go and try necks with all the different sizes and see what I prefer but I want some input from some other players.

thanks

 

[Light]

I like the standard Martin fret wire on my acoustics, and for electrics I use Dunlop 6150's. These seem to be right for most people.

The primary difference is feel. Some players find that they can play faster with really tall frets, like the Dunlop 6100. The problem with this is that you must have very clean technique, because if you push down too hard you will mess up the intonation. Other people like to feel the fingerboard under their fingers when they play, and so they like smaller frets. The old Gibson Les Paul Customs had such small frets, they where called the fretless wonder, and for some people that is what they want.

I find that I want a slightly larger than average fret for my electrics, as it makes it a little easier to bend, and it allows for a little easier vibrato. The 6150 is a true jumbo fret, but not huge. On the acoustics, I am a fairly light fingerpicker, and I almost never play lines on most of my acoustics. I don't need the larger frets, so I use smaller ones. They just feel easier to play, for me.

Your Fender probably has something along the lines of a Dunlop 6105, though they may be smaller, like a 6230 (though I doubt that), which would be consistent with the really old Fenders.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[grinder]

I like the feel of tall frets, less friction between the fret board and finger, for smoother bending. Same theory as scalloping, just on a much smaller scale. I've heard that taller fret give better sustain, but I don't think the extra mass would be enough make a noticable differance. Go with what ever fret you feel most comfortable playing on.

 

[Robert Herndon]

I think it is simply a matter of personal taste. I can speak personally that my notes are cleaner and my bends smoother with the smallest fretwire possible.

I can play my Hamer Standard or Explorer with the 'Jumbo' frets, then pick up my Stratocaster (with tiny frets) and sound much clearer with better harmonics.

However, I started out with small fretted instruments. This may very well be why I prefer them...Robert

 

[Light]

I've heard that taller fret give better sustain, but I don't think the extra mass would be enough make a noticable differance.

It is not the extra mass, but the lack of contact with the fingerboard. Think of the fingerboard as a heat sink, except that instead of sucking away heat energy, it takes kinetic (motion) energy. I have no evidence (personal or reputable source) which confirms this, but I also have none which contradicts this. I don't have an opinion, personally. For me, frets are more of an issue of feel.

This is one of those issues where I think where there is some change in sound which is measurable, but which you would never be able to hear.

Also, it is difficult to make comparisons, as you usually get new frets because the old ones are so worn that they are causing buzzing. When you get the guitar back (a week or two latter) it has brand new frets, so no buzzing, it is set up better, and it has been two weeks and you can't actually remember what the instrument sounded like before. Comparing two different guitars with different frets is not a very fair comparison either, as there are so many other variables.


Light

"Cowards can never be moral."
M.K. Gandhi

 

[Aaron Cheney]

For me, worrying about fret size too much is delving into "analisys peralisis" or "option anxiety". It's like having a stompbox with 3 knobs versus a rack processor with 400 adjustable peramaters. If I start to consider all the options I end up tweaking and endlessly fiddling and end up missing the forest for the tree.
Generally I'm just fine with a common size fret like the 6150 or whatever comes stock. Every now and then I'll pick up a guitar that I can't stand though, and it has more to do with the way the frets are finished I think. For example, I can't stand the way Don Grosh does his frets.

A
www.aaroncheney.com

 

[Wraith]

The problem with this is that you must have very clean technique, because if you push down too hard you will mess up the intonation.

Yep - that's why I like medium frets. When playing agressively I tend to really "vise grip" the neck which results in a lot of sharp notes.