Anyone else think SS frets should be standard by now?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Code001
  • Start date Start date
Code001

Code001

Well-known member
That PRS thread kinda got me thinking about it. Might as well throw in locking tuners too. High quality SS fret wire and locking tuners are pretty much all benefit with no drawbacks. Agree? Disagree? Obviously, I'm referring to higher end guitars and not the cheap stuff.
 
SS frets feel great and practically never wear but they make the guitar a bit brighter. That is the main reason (after cost) that most manufacturers stick to nickel.
 
I used to think the same thing until I did a back to back comparison. Recorded it with the normal frets installed and then with the SS frets. No difference coming out of the amp. Suhr says he can't hear a difference. Same with Anderson. I thought I'd do my own personal test and came up with the same conclusion as they did.
 
Really? I've been planning on re-fretting a mahogany explorer with SS frets to try and brighten it up a bit. :doh:
 
I'd agree with that. I have both SS frets and locking tuners on my Parker Fly and Nitefly. They are my favorite guitars.

I can't say if they make guitars brighter since they came stock on my Parkers, but neither guitar has too much brightness.
 
Do they feel any different? I have never (knowingly) played SS frets. It could possibly be a feel thing? :confused:
 
I think SS frets can make a guitar acoustically brighter, so it's assumed that it will make the amplified tone brighter as well.

Never done an A/B test myself, but as a couple people on the thread have already said, the current wisdom suggests it makes no real tonal difference.

Several of my guitars have SS frets and I prefer them to nickel, primarily due to the slicker feel.
 
JDinSC":3dfioq70 said:
Do they feel any different? I have never (knowingly) played SS frets. It could possibly be a feel thing? :confused:
Click to expand...

It is primarily a feel thing. SS frets feel noticeably slicker/smoother when bending strings. And it's not snake oil - once you've tried both, you will always feel the difference (assuming note bending and vibrato are part of your playing style).

I'm sure some people must prefer the feel of nickel, but most people that try SS and post online about the experience love it. The only downside for players is the supposed "brighter tone issue", which increasingly appears to be either a myth or so minor that it's basically a non-issue. The downside for guitar companies is that SS frets are very hard and chew up tools much faster than nickel frets.
 
Yeah, there's definitely a difference in feel. It's like playing on the smoothest, most well polished fret you've ever played on, and it never gets that gritty feeling that nickel frets can get. Some people say that they wear out strings faster, but I've actually experienced the opposite. My strings last longer with SS frets. Strange, huh?

Edit: Anyone have any negative feelings towards locking tuners? Hipshots are pretty amazing if you haven't tried them already. Lightweight, great ratio, extremely well built. I've tried Schaller, Sperzel, Gotoh, Grover and now Hipshot. I think the Hipshots are the best at the moment. Wondering if anyone would have any negative feelings towards those?
 
They are on Suhr, Anderson, etc. The benefit of SS for me well outweighs any brightness differences if there are any. It's very relevant to each guitar as well.
 
Both my Parkers were made in the late 90's, still no sign of wear on the frets.
 
There was a thread on one of the other forums I hang out on, that had the same topic, only in reverse. There the OP thought the exact opposite, that SS will never ever be common or standard, and will always be for special order on custom guitars, and nickel will always be the prefered choice.

I agree with the OP, SS and locking tuners should be standard. Nickel should be the special order :D
 
I'm sold. Anyone recommend a good luthier in the Denver area?
 
The only downside to locking tuners is that they can potentially give a guitar neck dive that may be on the verge already with vintage style tuners. The extra mass may push it over the edge. Other than that, I can't think of anything. I love them and would gladly trade some neck dive for the benefits locking keys offer. Others can't stand it and want no part of neck dive no matter what!

I have SS frets on a neck, but that neck has yet to be mounted so I have no comment at this time. Hopefully soon!
 
Absolutely on both!! I have sperzels on my les paul, and once the frets get worn will go to stainless.
 
boost":exklut4o said:
The only downside to locking tuners is that they can potentially give a guitar neck dive that may be on the verge already with vintage style tuners. The extra mass may push it over the edge. Other than that, I can't think of anything. I love them and would gladly trade some neck dive for the benefits locking keys offer. Others can't stand it and want no part of neck dive no matter what!

I have SS frets on a neck, but that neck has yet to be mounted so I have no comment at this time. Hopefully soon!
Click to expand...

I'd be interested in some weights of vintage tuners. Here are weights of locking ones:

Hipshot Griplock - 32 grams
Gotoh - 32 to 36 grams
Schaller - 49 to 52 grams
Sperzel - ~35 grams (second hand info)
Grover - ??? (non-locking is about 34 grams)

BTW, I'm not a huge fan of Sperzels due to their tuning ratio. 12:1 is too low for a non-double locking bridge, IMO. It's too finicky. I prefer the higher ratios of the other brands. That said, they're designed amazingly well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top