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  #31  
Old 09-20-2020, 03:19 PM
Silly Moustache Silly Moustache is online now
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Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
Is there any disadvantage at all to EVO?
I had EVO frets fited to my first Collings DS2h. An excellent job was done but I felt that it made the sound more trebly/sharp.
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  #32  
Old 09-20-2020, 03:48 PM
Ovation1 Ovation1 is offline
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Originally Posted by justonwo View Post
Fret materials have a sound?
It doesn’t?
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  #33  
Old 09-20-2020, 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by Silly Moustache View Post
I had EVO frets fited to my first Collings DS2h. An ecxcellent joob was done but I felt that itmade the sound more trebly/sharp.
But if accurate might be a plus for a fingerstylist who wants trebles to stand out. Plus, if you use the capo a lot (I do), the extra hardness could be a bonus.
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  #34  
Old 09-20-2020, 05:32 PM
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It doesn’t?
I have guitars with nickel frets. I have guitars with EVO. I’ve had guitars that used to have nickel fitted with EVO instead. I don’t hear a difference.
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  #35  
Old 09-20-2020, 06:21 PM
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So I posed the question of EVO Gold to Jason Kostal on my new OMC that just started and his response was the only downside was that they will eventually “tarnish” and would have a greenish tint to them requiring polish to remove. I seem to have pH neutral finger oils so that issue could be minimized. For those here with them, how do you “polish” them without affecting the fingerboard material?

Thanks.
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Last edited by SprintBob; 09-20-2020 at 11:58 PM.
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  #36  
Old 09-20-2020, 06:33 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
So I posed the question of EVO Gold to Jason Kostal on my new OMC that just started and his response was the only downside was that they will eventually “tarnish” and would have a greenish tint to them requiring polish to remove. I have pretty pH neutral finger oils so that issue could be minimized. For those here with them, how do you “polish” them without affecting the fingerboard material?

Thanks.
Pretty easy: you could tape off the fretboard, or simply use a fretboard protector (Stewmac), which is a thin shim of steel with a slot where the fret projects through.

Many companies make polishing compounds. I have used one called 'Gorgomyte' which is a polish and abrasive impregnated chamois, or you could get graded abrasive sticks from StewMac.

I switched out to EVO about five years ago because I had developed a nickel allergy. A standard fret is about 30% nickel.

best,

Rick
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  #37  
Old 09-20-2020, 07:10 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by SprintBob View Post
So I posed the question of EVO Gold to Jason Kostal on my new OMC that just started and his response was the only downside was that they will eventually “tarnish” and would have a greenish tint to them requiring polish to remove. I have pretty pH neutral finger oils so that issue could be minimized. For those here with them, how do you “polish” them without affecting the fingerboard material?

Thanks.
Polishing is easy. You tape off the fretboard. You can either use a polishing compound or 0000 steel wool. When I do my electrics, I put the whole body in a plastic bag so the steel wool filings don't get into the pickups. FYI, I haven't had to polish any of my EVOs so far. My oldest is 7 years old I think? Those frets still look new.
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  #38  
Old 09-22-2020, 09:42 AM
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Cocobolo Kid Cocobolo Kid is offline
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The EVO fretwire on my oldest Baranik is over 10 years old. I have never noticed any tarnish or green discoloration. However, once or twice a year, I clean my fingerboard with 0000 steel wool. This probably cleans and polishes the frets at the same time.
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  #39  
Old 09-22-2020, 11:01 AM
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I spoke to the luthier today about my Ken Stika guitar... he's had
it for a while, he's overwhelmed with work since the virus...

When I brought it, we looked at the frets, they have those grooves of
wear. Today he said he'd just been looking at it again and asked me
if I was OK with going with new frets. I said "of course", what he
thinks will make it better and is willing to do is what I want ...
He asked if EVO frets would be OK, I agreed with that too.

We talked for a second about stainless steel frets since I read on
here about luthiers not liking to work with them, he agreed and
also mentioned not liking the metallic sound that goes with them.

I got my Ken Stika guitar about 18 years ago new and I wore
the grooves in its frets... it has needed a good set up since before
I got my 57 Country Western almost a year ago. I love the
Country Western, which the same luthier set up for me, and I
can't wait to compare it to the Ken Stika guitar once it is
set up.

-Mike
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  #40  
Old 09-22-2020, 02:47 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid View Post
The EVO fretwire on my oldest Baranik is over 10 years old. I have never noticed any tarnish or green discoloration. However, once or twice a year, I clean my fingerboard with 0000 steel wool. This probably cleans and polishes the frets at the same time.
CK, is the EVO fret wire on your guitar EVO Gold?
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  #41  
Old 09-22-2020, 03:16 PM
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Bruce Sexauer Bruce Sexauer is offline
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I have been using EVO (isn’t it all “gold”?) wire Almost exclusively for about 20 years. I had an eye exam yesterday and I am definitely NOT colorblind. I have never seen any hint of green tarnish on any of the several hundred instruments I have built in this person. I offer lifetime fret path maintenance (fret mill to neck set) on my guitars, and have only been asked to re-level frets once in that time. Jascar, the manufacturer, says the wire is hypoallergenic, (I may even have the right word) meaning it does not react with human tissue creating allergies and the like, which cannot be said for nickel wire. If any of my customers have any Negative considerations about this wire, they haven’t mentioned them to me.
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  #42  
Old 09-22-2020, 04:36 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bruce Sexauer View Post
Jascar, the manufacturer, says the wire is hypoallergenic, (I may even have the right word) meaning it does not react with human tissue creating allergies and the like, which cannot be said for nickel wire. If any of my customers have any Negative considerations about this wire, they haven’t mentioned them to me.
That’s correct Bruce- it was originally developed for use in eyeglass frames as nickel based alloys were causing allergic reactions on the face. I have never seen greening either, and as you allude to, there is only one EVO color, which is ‘gold’.

Best,


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  #43  
Old 09-22-2020, 06:02 PM
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My great-great grand pappy used to work in the EVO mines of West Virginia. Brutal, unforgiving work. He received a 2"x2"x2" chunk of virgin EVO for his retirement at age 65 and it has become a family heirloom. In the 123 years since he was given this chunk of EVO it has not changed color or tarnished.



Now all the EVO mines are shut down and they make it synthetically. Sigh . . .
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  #44  
Old 09-22-2020, 06:19 PM
JCM615 JCM615 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by justonwo View Post
My great-great grand pappy used to work in the EVO mines of West Virginia. Brutal, unforgiving work. He received a 2"x2"x2" chunk of virgin EVO for his retirement at age 65 and it has become a family heirloom. In the 123 years since he was given this chunk of EVO it has not changed color or tarnished.



Now all the EVO mines are shut down and they make it synthetically. Sigh . . .
Aww, you're just makin' up stories now. The EVO mines were all in Kentucky!
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  #45  
Old 09-22-2020, 06:44 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by hubcapsc View Post
We talked for a second about stainless steel frets since I read on here about luthiers not liking to work with them, he agreed and
also mentioned not liking the metallic sound that goes with them.
-Mike
Stainless is smoother (and stays that way). That's great for string bends but on the other hand the guitar string can skitter more on the fret and you might hear that. Counter that if necessary by fretting closer to the fret and with a bit more pressure.
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