Warwick Infinity nut and fret replacement opinions

[InfinityJaco]

Looking for repair input as I take my Warwick Infinity LTD 2001 in for some major repairs and setup at Mike Lull’s shop - the fingerboard needs re-planing due to some odd wood warpage on the lower fretboard and it will be Pleked with new frets. This has been an issue since I got it over 20 years ago (unable to get low action without buzzing, confirmed by 2 luthiers).


Brass frets?

This bass is very special to me, and I’d like to keep it as original as it came aside from the changes I did in college… When I spoke to Mike years ago before he died, he suggested thinner frets, but I want to keep the original aesthetic. What is the main difference between these jumbo brass frets and thinner ones? Opinions on what you would do or think sounds better?


Nut replacement

The adjustable nut seems to have cracked on both sides, and I think it’s just superficial plastic cover parts. This is the stock Warwick Adjustable nut (Just a Nut III, I think it's called). I haven’t adjusted it in 15 years or more, but should I have it replaced with another type? Another JANIII, or a solid brass or graphite one? What benefit would each type give?

Thanks

 

[Zooberwerx]

Regarding the nut: I’d go with unbleached bone. It holds up really well and is not a glaring white.

Riis

 

[Turnaround]

Frets: Go with Jescar EVO Gold. The alloy in them is a bit harder than typical nickel silver, but not so hard as stainless. And they look good.
Nut: Though Warwick has promoted the idea of an adjustable nut for a long time, I believe they are just a bad idea. There is only one nut height that is optimum for any given bass, so get a new nut cut to that height and you are done. And it will never come out of adjustment. If made of a suitable material (like Tusq or bone) it will not break unless abused. Good for life. So my advice is to abandon the adjustable nut entirely and have a good nut fabricated.