Water erodes rock, over time.
The harder metal will win over time for sure.
aren’t a lot of flats stainless steel?
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Water erodes rock, over time.
Most flats nowadays are stainless steel, yes. Most flats will wear your frets down over time, yes. Some people worry too much about the inevitable, yes.The harder metal will win over time for sure.
aren’t a lot of flats stainless steel?
Most flats nowadays are stainless steel, yes. Most flats will wear your frets down over time, yes. Some people worry too much about the inevitable, yes.
Why don’t you record/average how many bends you perform on each respective fret per hour or so, how much downward force you exert so that I can get you a rough estimate. I also will need to know how many hours you average a week in regards to solid playing time.Are we talking 20-30 years here?
Right lol! I think the question is amusing as even in my most intense phases of playing I don't wear out frets with rounds, let alone flats.Why don’t you record/average how many bends you perform on each respective fret per hour or so, how much downward force you exert so that I can get you a rough estimate. I also will need to know how many hours you average a week in regards to solid playing time.
Edit: We’ll need to know your specific brand and gauge too.
You’ll end up getting buzz on your heavily played frets over time, but there is no way to know when that time will occur. If people are worried about it, set aside a dollar every week to pay for the eventual refret/dressing.Right lol! I think the question is amusing as even in my most intense phases of playing I don't wear out frets with rounds, let alone flats.
Even in Canada it's only $15 a fret to replace...on average. So after a few years you get your frets dressed. After a few years more see if they can be dressed again. If not...replace.
It's like the tires on your car. Rotate from time to time, and then replace when worn out.

1. How old were those TI's lol? They last for like 10 years.So I put my set back on due to my TIs officially dying for good. I have to say that I’m really enjoying them this time around. I still feel like they’re a little imbalanced, but now I find that quality kind of endearing in a quirky sort of way.
The grippy feel did finally go away, but it took hours and hours of playing time. That was super annoying, but now that it’s gone and the strings have settled, they are real winners.
1. How old were those TI's lol? They last for like 10 years.
2. I couldn't agree more. Once the Cobalts are broken in they are super stable and simply a delight to play. I like the tension and feel much more than the TI's and won't go back to the TI's I don't think.
I think I'm using the medium gauge cobalts,which feel more like medium guage rounds to me. Good balance of left and right hand tension, the TI's are too low on the right hand for my preference.1) Those TIs were 7 or 8 years old. One day I picked up my bass and the intonation was off. Like really off; I’m not a total intonation Nazi. I’d set the intonation, then come back a couple days later and it was totally gone again. It’s the first time I think I’ve ever had strings truly, actually die.
2) Nothing feels as good as TIs under the fingers to me, but these are nice after some time. Really no adjustment at all from the TIs (in the lightest gauge Cobalts).
Yes.Purple SilkDo these still have purple silks?
Most flats nowadays are stainless steel, yes. Most flats will wear your frets down over time, yes. Some people worry too much about the inevitable, yes.