What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Jack Wagner - 10:34 17-11-05
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I'm about ready to ditch my old "vintage" 80's MIJ strat for something
newer with some jumbo frets. It's got low action and plays fast and
easy, but string bending is just a pain.
Meanwhile my Epi Les Paul has medium frets and the action set
medium-ish, and bends like a dream.
I could raise the action on the Strat to make it easier, but I'm
thinking it may be better to get something with jumbo frets and low
action, giving me the best of both worlds. I figure the MIJ Strat is
worth $200 to $300 and a new MIM strat goes for 3 something, so I won't
be out of pocket much. Bah.
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Jim Anable - 10:48 17-11-05
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Jack Wagner wrote:
> I'm about ready to ditch my old "vintage" 80's MIJ strat for something
> newer with some jumbo frets. It's got low action and plays fast and
> easy, but string bending is just a pain.
Neck radius problem? Some strats can bottom out. I had a compound
radius done when mine was refretted.
>
> Meanwhile my Epi Les Paul has medium frets and the action set
> medium-ish, and bends like a dream.
Bigger frets, flatter neck.
>
> I could raise the action on the Strat to make it easier, but I'm
> thinking it may be better to get something with jumbo frets and low
> action, giving me the best of both worlds. I figure the MIJ Strat is
> worth $200 to $300 and a new MIM strat goes for 3 something, so I won't
> be out of pocket much. Bah.
If it is a MIJ Fender, you may do better than $300. There's a pretty
good following on MIJ's.
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Dr. Zontar - 11:00 17-11-05
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Jack Wagner wrote:
> I could raise the action on the Strat to make it easier, but I'm
> thinking it may be better to get something with jumbo frets and low
> action, giving me the best of both worlds.
Be prepared for notes to sound slightly sharp and chords to sound out
of tune until you develop the right touch for the higher frets.
I hate jumbo frets. Can't stand them. Loathe them with the white-hot
intensity of a thousand suns. But I apply a lot of left-hand pressure.
If you have a lighter touch YMMV...
I have a MIM Strat with low vintage-style frets. Never had a problem
bending.
- Rich
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Jack Wagner - 11:16 17-11-05
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>>Neck radius problem? Some strats can bottom out. I had a compound
>>radius done when mine was refretted.
Could be the neck radius, my kapo won't work on it (works on the Epi
just fine) due to the radius. I wish it had a tuna-matic bridge on it,
would make raising the action a lot easier.
>>If it is a MIJ Fender, you may do better than $300. There's a pretty
>>good following on MIJ's.
It's a MIJ Fender Strat made in the mid to late 80's based on the
serial #, I bought it new back in 88 or 89, can't remember when as the
late 80's are sort of a blur. It's all original and in great shape
except for a few frets are showing some wear and the bridge rattles
like a bastard. I don't know, maybe I'll just buy a new one and stick
this one in the closet for sentimental reasons as it was my first new
guitar.
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Jack Wagner - 11:21 17-11-05
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>>Be prepared for notes to sound slightly sharp and chords to sound out
>>of tune until you develop the right touch for the higher frets
Yep, that's the issue. Maybe some medium frets???? I think I'll try
some new MIM Strats (or Strat knock-offs, I don't care too much about
the logo on the headstock) with different neck's and different sized
frets.
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Flinstoneyerfired - 11:35 17-11-05
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Dr. Zontar wrote:
> Jack Wagner wrote:
> > I could raise the action on the Strat to make it easier, but I'm
> > thinking it may be better to get something with jumbo frets and low
> > action, giving me the best of both worlds.
>
> Be prepared for notes to sound slightly sharp and chords to sound out
> of tune until you develop the right touch for the higher frets.
>
> I hate jumbo frets. Can't stand them. Loathe them with the white-hot
> intensity of a thousand suns. But I apply a lot of left-hand pressure.
> If you have a lighter touch YMMV...
I tend to run hot and cold on them. I have guitars with small frets and
jumbo frets. With a light touch, the jumbos work good- very fast, very
easy to bend. However, there's not too many times I want to play with a
real light touch- I like to dig in with the left hand a bit- I need to
feel a bit of resistance when I play or I don't tend to play in an
inspired way.
>
> I have a MIM Strat with low vintage-style frets. Never had a problem
> bending.
Same here, but I do appreciate the resistance provided by the added
friction applied to the neck by the fingers. I like to feel the
fingerboard- jumbo frets do not necessarily allow for this.
Mike
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Larry - 11:44 17-11-05
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Doesn't the fret material make a big difference too? I haven't used a
guitar with Stainless Frets yet (one is being built for me), but I
understand they make bending very easy, to the point where not everyone
likes them. Word is they also last pretty much forever.
-Larry
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Patrick Keenan - 12:52 17-11-05
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"Larry" <none@none.com> wrote in message
news:zr2ff.2835$rB3.2014@dukeread02...
> Doesn't the fret material make a big difference too? I haven't used a
> guitar with Stainless Frets yet (one is being built for me), but I
> understand they make bending very easy, to the point where not everyone
> likes them. Word is they also last pretty much forever.
>
> -Larry
SS Fretwire is harder and lasts longer, yes. By itself, though, a harder
fret material won't make bending easier.
A point regarding "easier" bending between two frets of the same size but
different materials is that harder wires will keep their polished finish
longer. The polished finish significantly reduces friction and makes
bending noticeably easier. Since the harder fretwire keeps the polish
longer, there will be a perception that they always make bending easier.
Larger fretwire is not for everyone, and does require some adaptation.
Specifically, you must learn to regulate fret-hand pressure. Only as much
pressure as needed for a clear note is required - any more will send notes
sharp. For physically aggressive players, this can be very hard to do, and
larger wire may simply not be appropriate.
HTH
-pk
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? -
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Jack Wagner wrote:
> I'm about ready to ditch my old "vintage" 80's MIJ strat for something
> newer with some jumbo frets. It's got low action and plays fast and
> easy, but string bending is just a pain.
>
> Meanwhile my Epi Les Paul has medium frets and the action set
> medium-ish, and bends like a dream.
>
> I could raise the action on the Strat to make it easier, but I'm
> thinking it may be better to get something with jumbo frets and low
> action, giving me the best of both worlds. I figure the MIJ Strat is
> worth $200 to $300 and a new MIM strat goes for 3 something, so I won't
> be out of pocket much. Bah.
I've got 2 guitars: A Carvin DC200 with medium-jumbos, and an old
knock-off LP with a bolt-on neck & low frets. I've always loved low
frets because I'm an aggressive player, but I'm getting used to the
medium jumbos. The craftsmanship on that Carvin neck is something
else; I've played jumbos & medium-jumbos on other guitars before & they
felt like crap, but I'm changing my mind because of my DC200.
What grit sandpaper should be used for polishing fretwire?
RF
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Re: What kind of frets do you string benders like? - Don Evans - 13:30 17-11-05
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"Jack Wagner" <jack.wagner@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1132244502.064440.128260@g14g2000cwa.googlegroups.com...
>>>Be prepared for notes to sound slightly sharp and chords to sound out
>>>of tune until you develop the right touch for the higher frets
>
> Yep, that's the issue. Maybe some medium frets???? I think I'll try
> some new MIM Strats (or Strat knock-offs, I don't care too much about
> the logo on the headstock) with different neck's and different sized
> frets.
>
Maybe you could try an American series Strat. Those are frets are bigger
than vintage, but not jumbo. They work for me. Also, you mentioned raising
your action. Some really bendy players, Roy Buchanan comes to mind, had
very high action. If you can get used to a little more string height, I
think you'll find bending is easier, even with the frets you have.
Don
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