Replacing frets with mando frets

chrapladm · #1 05-14-2009, 07:39 PM

I am wanting to replace the frets on my 6 string bass. I have regular jumbo frets and love SS mandolin frets. So I thought of having someone else replace the frets and install stainless steel mandolin frets. I was only wondering what other things would I have to do to the bass after replacing frets? I am not sure what all goes into changing frets but I was just curious before I go in blindly to have someone do it. I do know that it is more expensive to have SS frets put in do to wear on tools but thats about as far as my knowledge goes on frets. So anyone if you can please clue me in.

62bass · #2 05-14-2009, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrapladm

I am wanting to replace the frets on my 6 string bass. I have regular jumbo frets and love SS mandolin frets. So I thought of having someone else replace the frets and install stainless steel mandolin frets. I was only wondering what other things would I have to do to the bass after replacing frets? I am not sure what all goes into changing frets but I was just curious before I go in blindly to have someone do it. I do know that it is more expensive to have SS frets put in do to wear on tools but thats about as far as my knowledge goes on frets. So anyone if you can please clue me in.

A re fret is an expensive job. Make sure you get someone with a reputation for good work. I didn't know that anyone made stainless steel mandolin frets although I've seen them in regular sizes. If you can get them, they should last longer.

The bass will need a set up after the re fret. That should be part of the package. Let us know what the price is once you get a quote.

chrapladm · #3 05-14-2009, 08:58 PM

Yes there is a few companies that make stainless steel mando frets. I think you can buy them straight from jescar.com also. I didn't know if the depth of the regular frets would be bad when putting in the smaller mandolin frets?! Probably something I dont need to worry about but I figured I would ask as many "dumb," questions so I can get a full understanding and then be able negotiate(with having some knowledge) for a better price. I have seen some pretty outrageous quotes for SS refret compared to regular refret job so when I get a good quote I will let everyone know.

Turnaround · #4 05-14-2009, 10:56 PM

Generally you can expect to pay quite a bit extra to have SS frets installed - not just the cost of the fretwire but also the installation. SS is so much harder to work with.

In addition to the fret installation you will need to have the nut adjusted and the instrument set up. Around here both of those activities are in addition to the re-fret, so ask lots of questions about what is included in the price when you get a quote.

walterw · #5 05-14-2009, 11:48 PM

so the idea is to have super-small frets? why?

chrapladm · #6 05-15-2009, 12:29 AM

I played a dingwall awhile back for about 2 months and when I went back to playing my regular bass I couldn't exactly tell what was the diff between the fretboard.(other than multiscale) I talked to Dingwall and found out that I was playing on a bass that had mando frets. Most of the dingwall's have mando/banjo frets and I really enjoyed the feeling of the frets. So I am sold on the mando frets from now on.

chrapladm · #7 05-18-2009, 09:04 PM

Well I have found out that the refret job will cost me $382 usd and thats including the setup afterwards. I also have to buy the frets. So is this a good price or not?

ashtray9 · #8 05-18-2009, 09:44 PM

Not worth it, IMO.

hover · #9 05-18-2009, 09:46 PM

if you like the idea of burning through a fretjob / recrown more often, and can justify that by the preference in feel, go for it.

20db pad · #10 05-18-2009, 10:34 PM

Mandolin-size frets are supposed to give the most accurate intonation, compared to larger frets. I don't recall it being a big thing for basses until Lee Sklar sung praises for them - this happened years before his association with Dingwall.

Even though I have no personal experience with stainless steel frets, the general feeling is that their hardness gives the instrument a brash sound that is very unpleasant. There's a story here on TB where Roger Sadowsky refretted a guitar with stainless steel frets. The guitar's owner come back a few days later to take them out and have regular frets installed because he disliked the sound that they brought to the instrument.

HOW MANY REFRETS CAN A FENDER P TAKE

chrapladm · #11 05-19-2009, 12:06 AM

Well I am not sure what everyone else has used but I have played my friends Dingwall bass which has the mando frets and they have lasted about 4 years and still going and he does regular gigs on the weekends. I loved the way his felt. I am sure there are horror stories to be told about frets not lasting and horrible SS frets but I will look more into the SS vs. NS 18% vs G frets. But as far as size-wise I am sold on the smaller frets.

62bass · #12 05-19-2009, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chrapladm

Well I have found out that the refret job will cost me $382 usd and thats including the setup afterwards. I also have to buy the frets. So is this a good price or not?

It seems like an average price for someone who does a good job. If you're going to go with the mod, the important thing is how good the guy doing the job is. A good refret is expensive even without stainless steel frets.

chrapladm · #13 05-19-2009, 07:12 AM

I understand....the person who would do the job is very good at repairing and refretting guitars and basses. I have heard many good things and have talked to many people who have had his work done on there basses and guitars. i have only heard good things. BUT of coarse I am going to still get about three more quotes and see how they all stack up against each other. I dont mind paying more if the quality is better.

62bass · #14 05-19-2009, 11:13 AM

Great. Good luck with the mod.

Sheldon D. · #15 05-19-2009, 01:53 PM

I should mention that the vast majority of our basses have banjo size frets installed. For reference, if you can't find a banjo, look at the frets on a Martin Guitar. They are roughly the same size. Mando frets are a special order from us so we haven't installed that many sets. They are tiny - less than 1 mm wide.

Best of luck with your install.

walterw · #16 05-19-2009, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 20db pad

Even though I have no personal experience with stainless steel frets, the general feeling is that their hardness gives the instrument a brash sound that is very unpleasant. There's a story here on TB where Roger Sadowsky refretted a guitar with stainless steel frets. The guitar's owner come back a few days later to take them out and have regular frets installed because he disliked the sound that they brought to the instrument.

HOW MANY REFRETS CAN A FENDER P TAKE

well, the "general feeling" from guitar players over on TGP is that SS frets are fantastic! if done right, they don't really sound different, they're frictionless for bending, and of course they last a dozen times longer. (i've SS refretted all my gigging electrics, and would never go back!)

there's a few luddites that insist the sound is "brighter" and go back to the old way, but i hear much less difference than a new set of strings makes.

at this point, i don't even like to do regular refrets, as it feels like i'm ripping off the customer with inferior soft fretwire.

roger s. is obviously a world-class builder, but there are plenty of other world-class builders who like stainless just fine. tom anderson and john suhr are two.

besides, if we're talking about tiny mando frets that are intended to allow more string-and-finger contact with the wood, i would expect a naturally more mellow tone as a result anyway.

chrapladm · #17 05-22-2009, 10:11 AM

Well I am putting Mandolin frets on my 6 string bass and I will be putting banjo/small guitar size frets on my other 6 string bass. They will all be stainless steel.. SO I will tell you what I think of the frets. After talking with a fret maker(jescar) for a while I am understanding that the change in material is not going to bring a change in the sound. But I am sure others will say there will be but like I said I will tell you what I think. I cant wait to play my hybrid fretted/fretless mandolin 6 string bass. So I look forward to my two 6 string projects and am not looking back. thanks for all the info from everyone.