6105 vs. 6150 frets

[shadewind]

I'm planning on ordering a precision neck from Warmoth but I'm having trouble deciding on frets. I have no particular preference but I suppose I like the frets on my Fender Highway One P-bass. There doesn't seem to be any direct counterpart to that fret size on Warmoth but the two that are closest are 6105 and 6150 but I have no idea how I should choose between them.

Any pointers?

 

[DTF]

pretty sure 6105 are vintage size like on the avri basses

 

[msb]

I prefer narrow frets , the wider ones would probably last longer , but I like the feel of the narrow ones better .

 

[Doug Parent]

I have both. I prefer the wider 6150.

 

[shadewind]

What makes you prefer the wider ones?

 

[Randyt]

The difference I notice, especially from vintage frets to say a Dunlop 6100...is there a higher pitch ring/harmonic (think clean clarity....wow Am i brutal at defining tone!!) in the 6100 compared to the vintage frets which i find there is a mellower natural woody tone...also, from big to little frets I dont find any differnce in playability or speed...Big frets will allow more fret leveling if required.?

 

[Doug Parent]

good description.

 

[shadewind]

I've read that narrow frets give better intonation, is this true?

I'm still having a bit of trouble choosing since I don't have a preference. 6105 seems to be a popular size though, a pretty average size.

 

[msb]

You're splitting hairs , but yes , they would .

 

[johnk_10]

pretty sure 6105 are vintage size like on the avri basses

Fender AVRI's use a size that's closest to dunlop's 6230 (.080 wide x .043 tall).

 

[shadewind]

You're splitting hairs , but yes , they would .

Yeah, splitting hairs but I really have no idea what to choose and would probably just want a standard modern Fender fret size, whatever that would correspond to in Dunlop sizes. From what I've read, there seem to be no consensus on what is the closest.

 

[joeyl]

Fender AVRI's use a size that's closest to dunlop's 6230 (.080 wide x .043 tall).

I used to use jumbo frets until I tried the 6230, and that's my favorite now in terms of feel.

 

[johnk_10]

the modern fender size (since the late 60's-70's) is pretty close to their medium jumbo today. the web fender site says this (but i actually find it to be a little off) since they're basically quoting dunlop's specs and they don't use dunlop frets. IIRC at one time they used Crook-Horton fretwire.

6230: The smallest fret wire found on older Fender necks (.078" x .043"). --this is correct except that it's actually .080")
6150: Vintage jumbo. Much wider but not as tall as 6230 (.102" x .042"). (the originals were closer to .096"-.100" x .043-.045")
6105: Modern narrow and tall; currently very popular (.090" x .055"). -correct
6100: Jumbo. The largest fret wire available (.110" x .055"). correct
6130: Medium jumbo (.106" x .036"). i've never seen these on any fender bass.

 

[shadewind]

the modern fender size (since the late 60's-70's) is pretty close to their medium jumbo today. the web fender site says this (but i actually find it to be a little off) since they're basically quoting dunlop's specs and they don't use dunlop frets. IIRC at one time they used Crook-Horton fretwire.

6230: The smallest fret wire found on older Fender necks (.078" x .043"). --this is correct except that it's actually .080")
6150: Vintage jumbo. Much wider but not as tall as 6230 (.102" x .042"). (the originals were closer to .096"-.100" x .043-.045")
6105: Modern narrow and tall; currently very popular (.090" x .055"). -correct
6100: Jumbo. The largest fret wire available (.110" x .055"). correct
6130: Medium jumbo (.106" x .036"). i've never seen these on any fender bass.

So do you have anything to recommend for someone who doesn't really know what he wants? The only thing I know is that I like the frets on my Highway One but I don't really have anything to compare with. I also think I'd like something which doesn't wear too fast since I play hard with a pick.

By the way, the Warmoth and Fender fret web pages seem to disagree on dimensions. Why is this and which one is right?

 

[johnk_10]

i just measure the frets and order them accordingly.
sorry, but i don't have a highway one so i can't measure them for you.

 

[Loel]

@ shadewind

Make sure you order the stainless steel frets,
i ordered one without had to sell it and reorder
with ss frets,it makes all the difference..

L

 

[johnk_10]

just keep in mind that SS frets sound brighter. personally, i don't care for them. the only thing that they offer over nickel/silver frets is durability.

 

[shadewind]

I'll probably just measure my Highway One again and check what frets size is closest, choose that and then be done with it. I think I'll stick with nickel frets as well.