Stainless Steel frets

[Steve Blanchard]

Hey flatpick land,

Anyone try SS frets. Opinions good or bad. Just curious. I understand that they brighten up a guitar more and are harder on the strings. TIA.

Steve Blanchard

[Monty Smith]

I've only played on SS frets once, but I liked them so much I'm having them put on my (first) custom build. If I like them on that guitar as much as expect I will, I'm going to look into changing my D-28 over to SS as well.

[Steve Blanchard]

Hey Folks, Thanks for the responses. I have a D-18 GE that is coming due for a third fret job and I'm thinking of using SS frets. I play about 20-30 hrs a week so I wear frets out in about a year. I have a great luthier, so getting them installed will be no problem. It's something to consider I suppose. My GE is a very well balanced guitar and dreads tend to get a little bassier as they age and open up, so some brightness will offset that I'm guessing. In any event, thanks again and keep those cards and letters coming. Now back to our regularly scheduled program...............Steve

[Dave Engel]

Hey Steve,

Got to ask. Are you a pro doing several gigs a week or a recording type? How do you get 30-40 hrs in a week? Heck on a killer week I get 15 hours. :-)

Dave

[Steve Blanchard]

Hi Dave,

I teach 10-20 students a week and in my "downtime" I play. When I get home and after my ranch chores are done, I'll pick for 1-2 hrs in the evening most evenings. I also play in a band and during the summer months I get about 20-40 hrs a week if I'm not careful. I just play a helluva lot. I've been averaging about 10 hrs a week since 9th grade and I'm 49 yrs old now. I should be better than I am, but I play well. Plus...I don't have a conventional job. I support myself with 6 strings and a box of fine tonewood. I appreciate the question though and I hope I answered it. Keep picking and all my best. Steve

[Dave Engel]

Good Deal Steve,

I play/practice an average of 10 hours a week (more in the summer when it's nice and instead of doing yard work I sit on the back deck and play to my dogs and birds). Not in a band but love to play. I am hard on frets, and build guitars, I may just give these SS things a try.

Dave

[Steve Blanchard]

Hi Dave,

Thanks for the reply. I went with regular frets for now...only had to replace 8 so I'll wait until I burn through those in 2-3 yrs and then go all stainless. I'd like to see your guitar that your building. I'll be at the Tractor Tavern this coming Sunday. You don't have to bring your guitar but if you can make it, I'd like to meet you. I'll be the goofy guy making the mistakes on the guitar. All my best.
Steve

[Dan Forney]

Guess I missed this topic somehow, but I'll add my $.02.

I had my D-28 Marquis re-fretted late last year with SS frets. I love them. I'm pretty hard on frets and these things just don't show any wear. As far as playability I don't notice any difference (maybe I'm just a thicky) - it is all thumbs up for me. I also haven't noticed any effect on string life either.

I decided to go with the SS after I got a CA Bluegrass guitar last summer. The CA's have SS frets and they work really well. I have one other wood guitar and as soon as it needs frets (won't be long) I'll be getting SS put on that one too.

BTW Bryan Kimsey did the work on my D-28 and he did a fantastic job!

Dan

[Gary Collier]

I've never refretted with stainless but I have 2 custom guitars that had them from day one. One is 3 years old, the other is 2 years old. Both have hundreds of hours of playing time on them from a heavy-handed bluegrass hack and they show NO signs of wear. Amazing!

Strings sound no different to me and they wear as long, maybe even longer. I love 'em!

Got a 3rd custom coming in another month and it also has SS frets. Good stuff!

Gary

[Lucian Neal]

Hi there,
New to the forum, saw the thread re SS frets. For anyone interested, there is a local (Cincinnati) instrument company that makes bluegrass dreadnoughts w/SS frets as a standard feature. They also make mandolins. Rick Hayes Instruments is the company name. They have a most excellent website I encourage everyone to check out. I have played one of the guitars, and it sounded almost decadently good. In the interest of full disclosure, I know the principals involved but that wouldn't change my opinion. The instruments stand on their own merit and need no "plug" from me.

Hope this helps someone,
Lucian Neal