Jimothey Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Hi I've been looking to get some fret wire for my neck through build but I'm not sure whether to get Nickel Silver or Stainless Steel? What the difference between the two is it just durability or does it effect the tone etc?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Dunno, but listening to Lee Sklaar on a podcast last week he was singing the praises of banjo fret wire...... 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manton Customs Posted March 24, 2019 Share Posted March 24, 2019 Tone wise there is a little bit of extra brightness to me with the SS wire, they can also feel a bit slicker too when you bend a string. But mainly it’s about the durability as SS frets will last a seriously long time. They’re a little harder to work with but it’s generally over exaggerated as long as you’ve got decent enough tools. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted March 24, 2019 Author Share Posted March 24, 2019 The ones I've seen the SS is about a tenner more than NS so I think I'll probably go for the NS instead........ Thanks everyone 😀 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 On 24/03/2019 at 17:36, Jimothey said: The ones I've seen the SS is about a tenner more than NS so I think I'll probably go for the NS instead........ Thanks everyone 😀 Only just spotted this. Good call. Personally, I tend to use EVO Gold, but my alternative would always be NS. SS are, in my view, problematic from a builders point of view. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheGreek Posted March 30, 2019 Share Posted March 30, 2019 I'm still waiting for somebody to manufacture Black ( carbon fibre??) fretwire. Love the look of a plain (fretless normally) fretboard - would love to have the look without the hassle of an unmarked board. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jimothey Posted March 30, 2019 Author Share Posted March 30, 2019 (edited) 1 hour ago, TheGreek said: I'm still waiting for somebody to manufacture Black ( carbon fibre??) fretwire. Love the look of a plain (fretless normally) fretboard - would love to have the look without the hassle of an unmarked board. I agree why hasn't anyone produced black fret wire I think that would look great against a maple board or like you say on an ebony giving the look of a fretless......... Edited March 30, 2019 by Jimothey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
micguy Posted April 11, 2019 Share Posted April 11, 2019 (edited) On 30/03/2019 at 14:25, Jimothey said: I agree why hasn't anyone produced black fret wire I think that would look great against a maple board or like you say on an ebony giving the look of a fretless......... The things that wear well when being scraped by metal are...harder metals. Metals aren't.......black, therefore frets aren't available in that color. To the original question, all my bass with frets have stainless frets. Warmoth charges $20 extra for stainless. Given that that option gives you much more fret life (probably lifetime frets, as I'm old and spread my wear across multiple basses)), it seems rather silly to go with nickel frets to me. One a couple of my basses I've gone with smaller frets (but still stainless) to see if it tames the high end zing - it seems to do that, although there are enough variables that I can't say for certain. Edited April 11, 2019 by micguy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
.gif.9ad672bb8b84505709f76b39c8c256ec.gif)
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.