Fret wear normal?

[ric1312]

Is fret wear normal after 6 months on a bongo? Lately I've noticed I have some minor fret wear on my bongo. I've only had it about six months.

I use DR strings which are a heavier gauge than what was stock on it. the frets aren't fubarred, just sligltly flattened and shined/scratched up where the strings hit them.

Is this perfectly normal?

Will I have to get it refretted years down the road?

[62bass]

Originally Posted by Joshua

Fret wear is completely normal, but how soon you see evidence of it is related directly to how much you play.

Most often frets can be levelled and crowned a number of times before an actual refret might be required.

Bongos are superior instruments, and the fret material used is as good as any, at least ime...

That's normal and the price you pay for using roundwounds. If you play a lot, like I did when I was making my living from music, after a few years you'll need a fret levelling. Then another and the next time probably re fretting. You may not keep the bass that long. Flatwounds cause wear too, but it's much slower.

[tplyons]

Yep, perfectly normal.

[sunbeast]

I've even had cheaper basses where the frets wore down enough to cause buzzing in about 3-4 months of constant playing (the most recent being a MIM Fender Jazz)- of course, that had alot to do with using Rotosound steel roundwounds- which are notorious for causing excess fretwear....Using nickel coated strings will cut down on fretwear to some degree as well, although that may depend on whether you have stainless steel frets or nickel capped ones...

Karl

[ric1312]

Thanks guys. I play everyday for a a couple of hours. Good to hear I can simply have my beloved bongo repaired when needed.