How long before a fret job?

[pchorman]

Folks: I'd like to know, especially from those of you who pack many years of playing experience, how long you typically go before wearing down your frets to the point where redressing or complete replacement is necessary. I realize this depends on a lot of things, like how often the guitar is played, the techniques used, style, string type, and how heavy-handed the guitarist is, so if you can convey any of this too it will be appreciated.

Just a survey.
Thanks

[Edited by pchorman on 01-12-2001 at 22:07]

 

[Even]

Cheesy Foreign guitars wear out fast. But its true theres no set answer for the question. Heavy strings are like sand paper on a neck. I assume you are seeing the signs of wear? Try using a flat wound string as opposed to round wound.

 

[pchorman]

Yes, I asked this question because I wanted to know whether it's "normal" that I can put noticeable wear on frets in a matter of weeks, and need complete replacement every few years. I guess I'm a bit heavy on the fretboard, which must slow me down a bit.

I've never used flatwound strings. Interestingly, the unwound strings dig in deep too, especially the G. Do flatwound strings produce noticeably different tonal quality?

 

[effedupstrat]

pchorman,
Flatwound strings may produce less wear on the fretboard, but they're more suitable for jazz guitar. The strings are not as bright as roundwounds and produce less finger noise. From my experience, every couple of years seems pretty normal for a guitar that's played a lot. I use 10's on my 25 1/2" scale guitars and usually 11's (unless I'm being a wuss) on my 24 3/4" scale instruments. I haven't found too much of a difference in wear in different string guages. I thing it mostly depends on playing style as to how much and where the wear occurs. There are also different types of fret material, though I'm not a luthier so I'll leave that stuff up to them.(I don't know if there are different hardnesses of fret wire, other than on guitars that use stainless steel frets...Parker Fly maybe?). I guess, that 2 or 3 years isn't too bad for a regularly played guitar.

P.S. I also tend to be pretty heavy handed with the guitar and haven't refretted my strat, just re-necked it, though I still have the original, just in case.

peace.

 

[Even]

You know its kind of funny I kinda wear my "G's" a bit more as well. But to think about it, I think I do more bends and slides with that string than any other. Frets tend to be a range of alloy mixes using nickle and brass, but I am no pro on that either so I really am not certain what one lasts longer. Flatwounds are smoother, but I agree the sound is no where near as bright so if you are he who loves to squeel and overtone, then it may not be the best call. If it were me and it was time for a fret swap, I would take it to the boys and spend the extra loot to go with the hardest substance known to man.

 

[Tapehead]

I'd agree flatwounds don't have the brilliance you want (unless you're a iazz player). I usually get a light fret dressing about every 2 years. If you play lots of rhythem down at the neck end you'll get a lot of wear on the higher frets to the point where you need a full fret repair. I go in for a fret dress (and have it done professionally) when the strings don't bend smoothly any more--they start to grind on the fret.

 

[saucy jack]

depends on the player and how much guitar is played

if your in doubt take it to a compentant repair guy and they could tell you

 

[Stan Williams]

frets

I file frets when the notches are deep enough to effect intonation,or when the tops are flat and the string is no longer contacting in the center of the fret, but, only when there is enough fret height to handle the file job. when the fret height starts to go below about .035 in.it becomes hard to stretch the strings. If you don't do any string stretching then you can get by with lower frets. Most of my customers, like myself, like jumbo frets when they are first put in,.055 in.high before the the first level and crown job.