Does anyone know how to reduce fret wear?

  • Thread starter Thread starter TheToneMan
  • Start date Start date
TheToneMan

TheToneMan

New member
I have a couple of guitars, and the frets on all of them wear down fast. I don't play rough on the neck but they still get that dip in them. I really don't want to pay $200 for a fret job on a $135 guitar. Any tips?
 
Well it's going to change your tone slightly, but use pure nickle wrap strings(like ernie ball classics),not normal nickle plated. Really helps the wrapped side. Also change your strings more often/or wipe them down to keep rust off of them, that wears frets FAST, because of the gritty-ness of the scum under the strings and even oxidation on the wrapped side.
 
TheToneMan":b5a13 said:
I have a couple of guitars, and the frets on all of them wear down fast. I don't play rough on the neck but they still get that dip in them. I really don't want to pay $200 for a fret job on a $135 guitar. Any tips?
Click to expand...

I was going to suggest stainless frets, but I guess that'd be out of the question.
 
$135 guitars have really cheap alloy frets. They're intended for kids as their first guitars, then they buy better guitars after a year. THe guitar has served it's purpose and it's done. I'm not trying to be a jerk here at all. It's a disposable guitar at that price. Sorry man.
 
Naw but i also have a $699 (kramer 1984 w/ jumbo frets i might add) guitar to that the frets wore down fast. My 135$ is a guitar i built with parts off of ebay. But ya i think im going to start cleaning strings regurlary, i've never done that before.
 
I've noticed the frets wear pretty fast on my American Fenders especially compared to the jumbo's on my other guitars.

I've learned to live with it for now, but I do plan on having my Fenders refretted with stainless jumbo if I can find a reputable luthier to do the work :)
 
Unfortunately this is a good example of "you get what you pay for". Not bashing on you about it, so don't take it the wrong way. But cheap guitars are cheap because cheap materials are used. If you really like the guitar and want to keep it, have it refretted with some quality wire.
 
Could be your style of playing as well, are you strictly a rhythm player?

I have seen rhythm player's guitars that the first 7-8 frets all had Vs into the frets due to no lead or vibrato work. A lack of general upkeep may be an issue as well.
 
are we talking med-jumbo frets ??

I play jackson performers/pro's and use 009 strings with the action set very low - "feather touch"

Played them for years and never had have any problems with excessive fret wear.

the only thing(s) to cause excessive fret wear is

1. super cheap frets on those "made in china" "Jackson Style"
necks that idiots sell on Ebay.


2. the action set too high forcing you to push way too hard on the strings to fret a note - resulting in strings indentations (usually the bass strings E A D side) in the 1st to 7th frets.

3. possibly the guitar case - it's putting too much pressure on neck and strings ??

my2cents
 
TheToneMan":eff09 said:
I have a couple of guitars, and the frets on all of them wear down fast. I don't play rough on the neck but they still get that dip in them. I really don't want to pay $200 for a fret job on a $135 guitar. Any tips?
Click to expand...


BTW, which frets - fret #1 , fret 2 ??


is it just a couple of frets or all of them ??
 
Well it's alot of the frets, but not every one. Mainly it's from the 12th fret on. And the biggest dips are on the higher strings. I also string it up with 9-42's. I might try to lower my action, it is set pretty high
 
A $135 guitar sounds like the perfect opportunity to learn to do your own fret work. Dress, level, refret, etc. If your style is such that you're going to burn through frets fast, it might be worth your while.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top