Stainless steel frets not working for me....thoughts?

darkkent1 · #1 10-08-2010, 10:23 AM

I got a Carvin SB5000 a few months back with stainless steel frets and after multiple styles of gigs and a lot of amp tweaking I still can't get the tone I want out of this thing. I'm convinced it's because of the stainless steel frets I opted for at the last minute for some reason. Compared to all of the sound samples I've heard (even ones with the same wood combo - Ash/Maple) as well as what I'm expecting to hear in my head, this thing just sounds off to me. I'm about 90 percent sure I'm gonna order a new neck from Carvin with the standard frets since a refret from any tech in town would be more expensive.(Thank you Carvin for being the anti-price gouging kings!)

Just wondering what folks experience either personally or otherwise has been with this stainless steel fret phenomenon. At this moment I'm thinking that they should be outlawed. If it aint broke.......might have been the way to go in this instance.

Thanks y'all

Sadowsky · #2 10-08-2010, 10:29 AM

Every time I have tried stainless steel frets because a customer has requested them, we have ended up replacing them with our regular nickel/silver frets. They may last longer but I really do not think they sound very good.

Roger

darkkent1 · #3 10-08-2010, 11:15 AM

Thanks Roger, hearing this from you makes me feel a lot better about my predicament. Just bought one of your preamps by the way and I love it. I'm in the Bay Area and Anjeline Saris sold me on it.

Have a great weekend!

pasta4lnch · #4 10-08-2010, 11:23 AM

also being a guitar player I had planned on getting ss frets on my eventual warmoth build . . . I had them on a (carvin) guitar and loved them. I've read they brighten up things too much on bass (obviously not much an issue on guitar).

the reality - my main bass is nearly 10 years old and the frets are nowhere near needing replacement. I dont think it's really THAT necessary . . .

maybe try to find darker strings or compensate w/ eq??

joeyl · #5 10-08-2010, 12:36 PM

could you go with half rounds or D'Addario Chromes to tame the sound in the treble department?

Rickett Customs · #6 10-08-2010, 12:38 PM

I have no issue with SS frets... Well other than it wearing down my fret files faster....

lunarpollen · #7 10-08-2010, 12:48 PM

Maybe try quartz crystal frets!

Randall · #8 10-08-2010, 02:00 PM

But will SS frets wear out my Rotosounds

Caca de Kick · #9 10-08-2010, 02:05 PM

I have no issues either...
I have two similar Wals, one with factory nickel frets, the other I had a stainless fret job installed.
The only time I hear a very-very slight brighter difference is sitting on the couch my living room practicing alone. In any band situation, no way, can't really tell plugged in.

drnknmstr · #10 10-17-2010, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Every time I have tried stainless steel frets because a customer has requested them, we have ended up replacing them with our regular nickel/silver frets. They may last longer but I really do not think they sound very good.

Roger

When you say they don't sound very good, could you describe why in particular? I've seen your other posts on it, but I'd still like to know what else you may have to say on it.

I'm in the same predicament with a new bass. What I'm hearing, or at least think I'm hearing, is that more metal in the sound than wood. It's only a medium fret, not particularly big. Another bass I have has jumbo nickels, and it still sound not as harsh as the SS, though goodness there's a lot of fret in that sound as well!

Sadowsky · #11 10-18-2010, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drnknmstr

When you say they don't sound very good, could you describe why in particular? I've seen your other posts on it, but I'd still like to know what else you may have to say on it.

I'm in the same predicament with a new bass. What I'm hearing, or at least think I'm hearing, is that more metal in the sound than wood. It's only a medium fret, not particularly big. Another bass I have has jumbo nickels, and it still sound not as harsh as the SS, though goodness there's a lot of fret in that sound as well!

Bright, tinny, thin sounding, lacking warmth........

Roger

drnknmstr · #12 10-18-2010, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sadowsky

Bright, tinny, thin sounding, lacking warmth........

Roger

Yup, my thoughts exactly.

darkstorm · #13 10-18-2010, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Randall

But will SS frets wear out my Rotosounds

LMAO.