Stainless Steel eating Frets?

MichiBass · #1 01-13-2007, 06:07 AM

Well, I have GHS Bass Boomers (nickel) since over a year on my bass. I wanted to change them, and bought some Rotosound Swing Bass (steel). But then I realised that steel is eating frets faster then nickel. So, what should I do? Should I put my Rotosounds on, or should I buy nickels? How fast does the steel eat the frets? In how many years is it noticeable? Maybe someone here played nickels for 20 years, and switched to steel for 10 years or so, and noticed the difference...

Thanks

P.S. HWY1 Jazz Bass, one year old.

KJung · #2 01-13-2007, 06:34 AM

It's a minor issue, and it takes many, many, many years for SS roundwounds to eat into frets enough to need a fret replacement. If you play a lot, you will need a minor fret dress (just a minor filing and leveling of the frets to take care of the minor scuffing of the frets you are probably seeing) every couple of years, but that's inexpensive and no big deal.

If you are concerned about this but still like the SS roundwound sound, you could try DR SS roundwounds. They are a touch smoother than Rotosounds... easier on the fingers and, at least according to their marketing materials, also easier on the frets. They are a little less 'raw' sounding... more 'funk sounding' strings IMO versus the Rotosounds aggressive 'rock sounding' grind.

fretless Bob · #3 01-13-2007, 08:58 AM

really it is completely a non issue, they will wear a little more but you wont notice any more to be honest.

i never liked Rotos though, they always felt too rough on the fingers, i really like the SS DR lo riders and Hi beams, maybe you should give a set of those a try.

Dave

MichiBass · #4 01-13-2007, 09:52 AM

I agree, they feel very rough to the hand, that's why I didn't put them on my bass yet.
So? What strings should replace my Rotos?
What about D'addario EXL 165?
P.S. I like bassy sounds with a light high snap.

moopants · #5 01-13-2007, 10:35 AM

Rotos are terrible with eating frets, anyway. I used them because I liked the tone, but after a year I really noticed that my frets looked like valleys.

Freddy-G. · #6 01-13-2007, 10:47 AM

It took about 5 years of heavy playing (avg. 4 hours daily) for Rotosound rounds to grind down the frets of my Rickenbacker 4001.

Nowdays I mostly use DR and D'Addario SS and Nickels. They're easier on frets and my fingers.

BillytheBassist · #7 01-13-2007, 11:01 AM

Just thought i would mention, being a long time rotosound SS user myself then swithching to D'darrio nickels and then back to SS roto;'s. I just by chance bought a bass with some rotosound swingbass nickels on it. I really dig the snap and response on these...you might check them out as well.

MichiBass · #8 01-13-2007, 11:45 AM

I didn't knew that there are Rotosound SwingBass Nickels...

BillytheBassist · #9 01-13-2007, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MichiBass

I didn't knew that there are Rotosound SwingBass Nickels...

I knew there was nickel wound rotos and tried them once...they sounded great out of the package but they lost their tone within a few weeks. But the "swingbasss" nickels were a different story. Bright & snappy out of the package, had a fast smooth feel and response. So far havent lost any tone whatsoever. Something else i've noticed with most nickels is that the frets will start wearing the string down and you'll get a real inconsistent sound from the strings due to the wear spots IME. Mainly D'darrios are pretty bad about that. But the swingbass nickels seem to be tough as nails and i don't see any signs of fretwear or string wear. I believe they're a few dollars more than regular roto's or the regular roto nickels but well worth it IMO. Give em a try.

MichiBass · #10 01-14-2007, 01:35 AM

Well, I will sell the Rotos, but I don't know what nickels to buy. A friend of mine has a new D'Addario EXL 165 set, should I buy them?

mmorbidfaithMM · #11 01-14-2007, 10:34 AM

I am using the D'Addario ProSteels on my Schecter Exotic, and I had this same question. I was curious to whether or not these strings would eat away my fretboard, and if there were any other steels that were a bit nicer to the frets or not.

I saw that Ernie Ball made a steel set of their Hybrid Slinky string, and I have been meaning to try EB for a while, has anyone used these?

DavePlaysBass · #12 01-14-2007, 04:29 PM

I found ProSteels to be on the rough side. Both fingers and frets showed some wear. But like everyone else has said, not a real big deal. Play what sounds good and service bass accordingly.

I personally do not care for Rotos because they lose that grind pretty quick.

Dave

MichiBass · #13 01-15-2007, 12:41 AM

Hmm, has anyone tried LaBella steels?

DistortedBass · #14 01-15-2007, 01:06 AM

Dean Markley Blue Steels all the way. Not as harsh on the hands as rotos and a punchy growl. Used em for years and the frets are no worse for wear.

MichiBass · #15 01-15-2007, 01:32 AM

OK, Let's limit this thread to nickels, that's what I'm looking for.

MichiBass · #16 03-07-2007, 09:17 AM

Any others who had stainless steel strings that eat frets?

SGT. Pepper · #17 03-08-2007, 06:40 AM

DR Hi-Beams won't eat your frets as advertised by DR themselves. Iv'e used them on many basses and never noticed any fret wear. I did with the LO-Riders however.
They are more coarse and not as smooth.

chaosMK · #18 03-08-2007, 08:38 AM

My frets have some noticeably wear on the lower range of the B and E string. I use Blue Steels most of the time.

Someone recommended some good strings for this issue. I think they were some model of Fodera strings.

Baryonyx · #19 03-08-2007, 08:44 AM

I switched from using nickel Rotosound strings to Fodera Stainless Steel Diamond strings. I've noticed no change in fretwear!

Fuzzbass · #20 03-08-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KJung

It's a minor issue, and it takes many, many, many years for SS roundwounds to eat into frets enough to need a fret replacement. If you play a lot, you will need a minor fret dress (just a minor filing and leveling of the frets to take care of the minor scuffing of the frets you are probably seeing) every couple of years, but that's inexpensive and no big deal.

Bingo.