stock bass models with vintage style frets

Kyon` · #1 11-06-2010, 04:40 PM

I'm wondering if anyone can name some basses that come stock with smaller thinner vintage style frets like the squier classic vibe

5string5fingers · #2 11-06-2010, 04:42 PM

as far as i know most fender and ibanez basses come with medium frets.

GianGian · #3 11-06-2010, 04:48 PM

My Fernandes jazz copy seems to have those old school small frets. And it is a very good bass, as long as you don't put flatwounds on it.

wvbass · #4 11-06-2010, 05:28 PM

Lakland. Dingwall. Carvin as an option. Fender vintage reissues.

Kyon` · #5 11-06-2010, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wvbass

Lakland. Dingwall. Carvin as an option. Fender vintage reissues.

Does that apply to the classic series? Like the 60s reissue? I also know I can look a lot of this up myself but just thought get some first hand experience before I make any orders since my local shops seem to lack any of these basses.

5string5fingers · #6 11-06-2010, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyon`

Does that apply to the classic series? Like the 60s reissue? I also know I can look a lot of this up myself but just thought get some first hand experience before I make any orders since my local shops seem to lack any of these basses.

Yes. With the exception of a select few basses,fenders come with medium frets.

Reynoldbot · #7 11-07-2010, 02:40 AM

I believe the Fender Jaguar has vintage frets. They sure seem a lot smaller and thinner than the medium jumbos on my Jazz.

dave_bass5 · #8 11-07-2010, 03:11 AM

Squier Classic vibes have smaller vintage frets.

gunlak · #9 11-07-2010, 04:01 AM

Legend by Aria Pro II from Japan.

The Birdman · #10 11-07-2010, 05:24 AM

My MIM 50s Precision Bass definitely has vintage style frets on it.

Roger

lbwdog · #11 11-07-2010, 06:04 AM

This may seem like a dumb question coming from someone who's played bass for over forty years, but how would you characterize the difference between these fret sizes?
(affecting feel, ability to raise or lower strings to reduce string noise, buzz, etc.)

I've owned and played many old and modern Fenders but never sat down and A/B'ed them.

**fenderVI** · #12 11-09-2010, 03:33 AM

I haven't sat down and A/B'd these but have some thoughts on the matter having started playing bass on Short Scale Vintage frets and jumping up to long scale medium or jumbo.

The short scale with the smaller frets was more like a baritone guitar than a bass. The notes were easier to bend and it felt lighter to fret the note.

Playing, what I'd call a normal bass, long scale with thicker frets was a difficult cross-over for me. Now over 30 years later it still feels un-natural and clubby.

I could be wrong with this assumption but it seems the larger frets were more Gen Public user friendly, harder to bend, so the right pitch would be constant, perhaps the larger more robust frets would handle the brighter rough steel strings that were coming onto the market place during the 70s.

Vintage frets do seem to be making a comeback with some bass makers. Dingwall, Lakland and Fender/Squier in some of their vintage reissue basses.

Given the opportunity I would have vintage frets in all my basses, short, medium or long scale. I prefer the feel of them.

B-)

Sheldon D. · #13 11-09-2010, 06:51 AM

Owners of 1995-96 era Dingwall basses have NOS frets from the 60's. They were nice and small and seemed a little harder than modern frets.