fretwire sizes???

zazz · #1 03-25-2006, 12:48 AM

my casady has got to have the smallest and shallowest fret wire that i have ever seen on a bass.

i am thinking of having say stingray size frets fitted which are sort of jumboish.

so whats the downside because as far as i can tell the larger fretwire with a flat top seem to be a more spot on and pleasurable playing experience....ie why did epiphone specify such wimpy frets in the first place?..is it cheaper or something?

Blues Cat · #2 03-25-2006, 12:54 AM

Actually smaller frets ie mando & banjo frets will give you better spot on intonation.
Smaller frets are supposed to give you a more woody sound since your strings are actually closer to the fretboard.
You can also get lower action w/smaller frets.

zazz · #3 03-25-2006, 08:17 AM

thanks.

Moo · #4 03-26-2006, 02:41 AM

Well jumbo frets intonate perfectly if they are crowned and the size of the fret has nothing to do with how far away the strings are set from it. Smaller frets also wear much faster.

zazz · #5 03-26-2006, 09:56 AM

i have quite a few guitars of all shapes and sizes and the one that plays amazingly well is a gibson custom which is crowned jumbo frets on ebony...no question of intonation there and its got a warm tone ..not metalic as such.....it must be crowns which make the difference.

greenboy · #6 03-26-2006, 10:05 AM

If you are a hard-presser* then low, thin frets make the bend between the fret and the 'board less - so for people who really push in, they can be more accurate.

* see Jerry Seinfeld's "close-talker"

blipndub · #7 07-10-2006, 08:49 PM

Warmoth offers small fretwire number 6230, anyone have any experience with fretwire this small on a bass?

6230 .080" X .043" This is the smallest fret wire. Used in older Fender necks. Does that include basses?

http://www.warmoth.com/bass/necks/ne...tion=fret_size

BurningSkies · #8 07-11-2006, 06:11 AM

I prefers small fretwire. I have banjo fretwire on my #1 bass, and it's great. The precieved height of the strings off the neck is a bit lower...but the distance from the top of the fret to string will remain the same.

Small fretwire WILL keep your intonation more precise if you don't get regular fret jobs...I don't notice any increased wear, and less metal means more wood in your tone. They also just feel faster.

And yes, I have several basses and guitars with 'jumbo' frets too.