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Even though there's really not much change in fret height, the feel is quite a bit different. Some say faster feeling, I'm not sure I'd say that, but the feel is different. I use much smaller fretwire than the StewMac stuff. I had an early Dingwall Prima with mandolin frets that were tiny and since then I've had two basses refretted with basically the smallest wire that could be found. Now I'm having a custom bass built with this fretwire:
Jescar Fret Wire 39040
It's quite tiny and it's what the builder suggested when I described what I was looking for. He's used it on a number of basses and quite likes it.
I haven't actually felt them yet. But I mostly play fretless and med-jumbo frets just feel massive to me now. I've heard banjo give you more feel with the board etc. (and are a little quicker) so I'm rolling the dice on them for the build. Plus I don't play heavy, or necessarily ever bend the string, so should be a good solution.
I thought about mandolin, but thought they might go too small. Maybe I should go actually look at a mandolin and a banjo at GC and get a feel for it.
I believe Lee Sklar was the first to use mandolin wire on his bass. That's why Dingwall uses it. A friend who is a builder used it on his own bass and loves it, and said all of his basses going forward will have the same size wire. I didn't like it at first, but I got used to it and can totally understand the appeal. It almost feels like the frets aren't there. I think it basically trains you to play with a lighter touch, which will result in better intonation.
Well, I think I'm going to move in this direction. I have 2 basses I'll regret if I like the results, and one to regret if I don't. 
I don't play heavy or bend much either, and in fact I'm working on developing a lighter touch.
I don't play heavy or bend much either, and in fact I'm working on developing a lighter touch.
I have had an Elrick, custom Nordstrand and a Mike Browne bass built with mandolin fretwire. Glorious! I really dislike playing a bass with larger frets. My basses all get a pro refret and level with smaller fretwire if they come to me with large wire.
I do love the mandolin wire, but to me, the banjo wire has just enough meat to handle a couple of solid level/recrowns.
I think the difference isn't just the height....the fret width is the deal sealer for me. Seems to intonate better and notes speak quickly, THAT'S for sure!
I do love the mandolin wire, but to me, the banjo wire has just enough meat to handle a couple of solid level/recrowns.
I think the difference isn't just the height....the fret width is the deal sealer for me. Seems to intonate better and notes speak quickly, THAT'S for sure!
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I love the feel of the old Lakland basses. I hadn't realized they used those frets. Really nice (the few early 34" scale Laklands were the best)
I had #19 and #87, both top jackers with the 9w4j pickups and Hugh-carved. The bidniss!
I've always wanted to pick up a Browne bass. Mike had such incredible craftsmanship. It's a shame he had to hang up the shop apron so soon after he started. I'm always keeping an eye out to pick up one of the few he built on the used market.
Back to the first gig report with the new bass:
First thing after plugging in at home before the gig; these Tic Tacs are LOUD!! After getting the bass set up to the way I usually play (which set up perfectly!), there was a pretty noticeable warble anywhere above the 12th fret. Those magnets are girth and have some pull. But fear not!! If you drop them down, obviously the warble goes away. However, I like the pickups high enough to feel like a ramp. Works great with ceramic pickups or alnicos with less magnetic pull, but these are hot! I found my sweet spot where the pickups are right where I need them, and Cliff's ramp makes it feel like I'm skating on buttered Teflon.
After dialing it in, away to the gig we go.
Best way I can describe it is that it really does feel like you have nothing between what you think and the sound produced, and the response of the instrument becomes a non issue. It just flows. It was a joy, and the tone was super juicy, clear, and non-hyped. Yeah....
Round 2 in 3 hours!!
First thing after plugging in at home before the gig; these Tic Tacs are LOUD!! After getting the bass set up to the way I usually play (which set up perfectly!), there was a pretty noticeable warble anywhere above the 12th fret. Those magnets are girth and have some pull. But fear not!! If you drop them down, obviously the warble goes away. However, I like the pickups high enough to feel like a ramp. Works great with ceramic pickups or alnicos with less magnetic pull, but these are hot! I found my sweet spot where the pickups are right where I need them, and Cliff's ramp makes it feel like I'm skating on buttered Teflon.
After dialing it in, away to the gig we go.
Best way I can describe it is that it really does feel like you have nothing between what you think and the sound produced, and the response of the instrument becomes a non issue. It just flows. It was a joy, and the tone was super juicy, clear, and non-hyped. Yeah....
Round 2 in 3 hours!!
No. Nickel on mine. If they wear out, I'll just refret it. Not a big deal. Highly unlikely for quite a very long time, as they wear like any other nickel fret. I still firmly believe that the width of banjo and mandolin wire, as well as the lower height helps it feel quick with the left hand. Hard to describe until you play them and get used to them. But you'll dig 'em, I'd bet!
Once again, Thank You to the moon and back to Cliff! Just a really great bass!
Once again, Thank You to the moon and back to Cliff! Just a really great bass!
If you get the really tiny ones then they honestly look a little comical next to normal sized frets. Another thing to keep in mind is that fretwire has been in increasing in size over the years. If you see something that is "modern mandolin" or "modern banjo" fretwire, it is larger than it is on vintage instruments in most cases. Most banjos now use what would be vintage guitar sized fretwire. I have a 1928 Gibson TB-1 banjo and the frets look very small next to some of the later Gibson banjos (90s and 2000s).
When I got my first bass refretted with mandolin wire I went through this. I'm discussion with the luthier, we decided it was vintage mandolin wire I was after. That said, others may not be after fretwire that small.
Like someone else has mentioned, the majority of size difference is in the width. They are typically about half the width of standard wire used on bass but probably 75-85% of the height.
"Nickel"? Very cool.
Great review, I'm excited for you. That bass turned out really nice.
-ScottM
well, I'm gonna try it. I just messaged Cliff asking for that same fretwire. Hope I love it as much as you do.
Quite a looker! That top is stunning, and the matching ramp is a really nice touch. Really dig it.
Never heard of the pickups, will have to look them up.
5sg.
