Do steel strings really cause as much fret wear as people say?

[paf77]

A lot of people say steel roundwounds cause a lot of fret wear, but then I see a lot of people say they don't cause any more than nickel or any other strings. Just curious about this because I really want to try out some steel strings already. Either way I'm going to because they seem to have that sound I crave. Thanks for the input!

[Drunk Heffalump]

My tech took one look at the S/S strings on my Fender Geddy model and said unless you want to wear out your frets I'd suggest a change of string type. He was flat out right. I could already see faint wear showing up. Now that he was pointing it out to me...LOL. However that said the Fender never sounded so good and as a compromise he said that if I were to take it into a studio then by all means go S/S just for the sound alone. Just be sure to remove them soonest after I was done.

Hope this helps

[paf77]

That definitely helps. What's interesting is the frets on my new p bass are already showing wear after just about a month and I've just been using nickel roundwounds.

[Mrdak]

Absolutely .................
Try some Labella flats on that P.... or TI flats.. you may be pleasantly surprised.

[cliffbass1]

Originally Posted by paf77

A lot of people say steel roundwounds cause a lot of fret wear, but then I see a lot of people say they don't cause any more than nickel or any other strings. Just curious about this because I really want to try out some steel strings already.

Honestly if they do its minimal i've been using steel strings for about 5 years, mainly Ken Smith Strings which are are awesome, I'm really Digging my DR Hi Beams at the moment. but i havent noticed any wear that would be alarming, i guess it also depends if you might have a crappy batch of fret wire on you bass, unlikely but it happens.

[paf77]

Originally Posted by Mrdak

Absolutely .................
Try some Labella flats on that P.... or TI flats.. you may be pleasantly surprised.

I really wish I liked flats. I've given them a shot many times and I LOVE how they feel, but I gotta have that growly, bright roundwound sound.

[Mrdak]

Originally Posted by paf77

I really wish I liked flats. I've given them a shot many times and I LOVE how they feel, but I gotta have that growly, bright roundwound sound.

In the words of W. Shatner..........
I....do... know the feeling. in udder words...... I like the SS sound also, but flats just fit in the mix so well, it's something you need to experience to know what I mean. But it does depend on what music you're doing too.

[Rickett Customs]

Do steel strings really cause as much fret wear as people say?...............

Do asphalt streets really cause as much tire wear as people say?

How about dirt roads, or concrete?


j/k ................

But you see what I'm saying right? I have a bass I bought new in 1995, I've used DR high beams on it most of the time i've had it and It got alot of play (practice and gigs, 50 gigs per year minimum, about 130 one year)
Not even ready for a fret level. YMMV..... Playing strength, etc......all things wear eventually though.

[paf77]

Thanks for the input everyone! It seems like fret wear from steel strings isn't really as big of a deal as some people say it is. Also, I heard once that steel strings will lose some of their edge way quick, but even when they are worn in, they are still much brighter than nickel strings. Do you guys find this to be true?

[Darkstrike]

Depends on the brand of strings too, IIRC.

[cliffbass1]

Originally Posted by paf77

I heard once that steel strings will lose some of their edge way quick, but even when they are worn in, they are still much brighter than nickel strings. Do you guys find this to be true?

My DR's were way but after they "settled in" (a few days) but it could have been because i was use to the sound of Ken Smith Strings, I Love my DR's they sound amazing, but my Ken Smiths Always sounded as if they were pretty new. Steel strings there are Birghter that nickel but they keep there "out of the package" sound longer than nickel by far If you look for brands, DR and Ken smith are my top 2, Ernie Ball would be 3rd and i had d'addario strings once and they felt rough, like sand paper.

[Solarmist]

More info: Which SS is easiest on the frets?

[michael_atw]

I'd say it's more the level of action or the player than it is the string. Someone who bends or pops is gonna wear their strings out more than someone who doesn't...and someone with low action will wear them out much faster than someone with high action.

[stoolpigeon]

Nope...they don't...at least not anymore than other strings....eventually you will need frets leveled and dressed...but it takes years to wear that much.

[Meatrus]

Do they wear your frets more than Nickel...most probably by a slight margin, does this need to concern you....no! Unless you have a vintage bass, I would never be bothered.

Fret wear happens slowly, likely over 10 years+, and who knows where they will be in 10 years time? A lot of people dont keep basses that long, some uninentionally die in that time too .

[mmbongo]

Originally Posted by Mrdak

Absolutely .................
Try some Labella flats on that P.... or TI flats.. you may be pleasantly surprised.

True. I know I was. I was surprised I wasted $50 on strings with zero tone. I couldn't get rid of those flats fast enough!

[Blues Bass Man]

Originally Posted by mmbongo

True. I know I was. I was surprised I wasted $50 on strings with zero tone. I couldn't get rid of those flats fast enough!

I think La Bella Flats have a great tone,if that is the tone your after. I have found using SS roundwounds do cause more fret wear,some brands more than others. I would recomend DR Highbeams,they seem to be the least abrasive on the frets out of all the SS strings I have used.

[darkstorm]

You have to have rather soft frets or really aggressive style of fretting that rubs strings around on frets for it to make a real diff imo. This would also result in more fretboard wear then average too.