Why Don't Manufacturers Fit Stainless Frets?

RobKay · #1 04-21-2019, 11:08 AM

Lots of nice guitars around wanting fret jobs, why don't they just kit em up with stainless frets?
Rob

L20A · #2 04-21-2019, 11:13 AM

Good question.
Tradition?

stringjunky · #3 04-21-2019, 11:24 AM

I think it is pretty hard on tools and takes more time.

ceciltguitar · #4 04-21-2019, 11:31 AM

Stainless steel frets are standard on Emerald guitars.

https://emeraldguitars.com

Stainless steel frets use to be standard on Parker Fly guitars. I don't know whether or not they still are.

rstaight · #5 04-21-2019, 11:33 AM

One reason is overall cost. Stainless cost more and is more difficult to work due to it's characteristic of a high amount of elasticity.

All materials have this property. Stainless is very high in that regard. If checked on a hardness checker mild steel is USUALLY harder than stainless.

This comes from 40+ years of machining various materials from mild steel to stainless to tool steels and some more exotic materials.

It takes patience to work stainless. It may last longer due to it's elasticity. But then again it may have a negative effect on tonal quality. Remember I said may.

Rosewood99 · #6 04-21-2019, 11:44 AM

Not everyone likes the sound they produce.

HOF dad · #7 04-21-2019, 11:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Not everyone likes the sound they produce.

I had no idea they affected the sound or tone.

Osage · #8 04-21-2019, 12:04 PM

SS frets wear strings faster. If you change regularly, this won't be an issue but if you like older strings or just don't like changing them often, this can be a real problem.

Osage · #9 04-21-2019, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HOF dad

I had no idea they affected the sound or tone.

They are often considered a little brighter than most nickel frets. I own two electrics with SS frets and I certainly don't notice any additional brightness in either of them but it's not like I'm able to A/B.

stephenT · #10 04-21-2019, 12:30 PM

Agreed. Gold EVO would be my choice.

Quote:

Originally Posted by paulzoom

Not everyone likes the sound they produce.

Steve DeRosa · #11 04-21-2019, 12:41 PM

Kiesel (formerly Carvin) offers them as an RPO option on all their guitars...

srick · #12 04-21-2019, 12:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenT

Agreed. Gold EVO would be my choice.

Mine too. EVO is a non-nickel, hypoallergenic alloy (CuSn15Fe1Ti0.1) originally developed for eyeglass frames. It’s harder than nickel-silver frets, but not as hard as stainless. It’s moderately priced too.

Shuksan · #13 04-21-2019, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stephenT

Agreed. Gold EVO would be my choice.

EVO fretwire makes a lot of sense. Harder and more durable than nickel wire, but not so hard on tools as stainless steel wire. I wonder how many guitar players won't buy a guitar with EVO frets just because of the color.

srick · #14 04-21-2019, 02:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shuksan

EVO fretwire makes a lot of sense. Harder and more durable than nickel wire, but not so hard on tools as stainless steel wire. I wonder how many guitar players won't buy a guitar with EVO frets just because of the color.

FWIW, I don’t find the gold color to be very noticeable on my guitars.

Silly Moustache · #15 04-21-2019, 03:07 PM

I used to be pretty hard on frets, esp. when I was playing in bluegrass bands.

My earliest (98) Collings has been refretted four times now and I had the last set (EVOs) removed as whilst they showed no wear, I really didn't care for the sound - very harsh.

I'm sure SS would sound even harsher, esp. on a Collings.