I'd like to use something thicker than the very low, thin, and soft fretwire standard on on production Rick basses for my Hossenfeffer build. I have a bubinga fingerboard pre-slotted from LMI, not sure what their standard fret slot width is, but I assume it's something pretty universal. I remember how quickly roundwound strings chewed up my old Rick bass frets, don't want to repeat that. The size I seem to hear most commonly associated with bass fretwire is "medium jumbo". I've read discussions on the merits of stainless vs. nickel-silver. This will be my first fret job, so I'm thinking nickel silver might be easier to install?
On the other hand, my 83' G & L L2000 has stainless fretwire and shows virtually no wear after 31 years of use, mainly with stainless roundwounds. I don't have a fretwire bender, so I have been looking at pre-radiused fretwire on E-bay. The fingerboard will be 10" radius, so should I get the the 9.5" radius pre-bent wire? Any advice or supplier sources appreciated.
On the other hand, my 83' G & L L2000 has stainless fretwire and shows virtually no wear after 31 years of use, mainly with stainless roundwounds. I don't have a fretwire bender, so I have been looking at pre-radiused fretwire on E-bay. The fingerboard will be 10" radius, so should I get the the 9.5" radius pre-bent wire? Any advice or supplier sources appreciated.
