Fret wire experience

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From RUSTYSTILL on 10/26/2012 9:49:24 PM

This topic appears in other forums but thought I'd pass it by here for experience specifically to Deerings. My Calico is developing significant fret wear in a number of places. I prefer a full rich tone rather than the sharper more metallic tone some like for bluegrass and was wondering how stainless fret wire would affect the tone on this instrument or if there were other options for harder frets than what came stock from Deering that would maintain the tone I like? TIA for any comments.

Jim

4 Comments
	Tatersoup says: 10/27/2012 4:11:36 AM I can't imagine the fret wire having any significant effect on tone. How old is your Calico? It seems odd to me that the frets are significantly worn unless it's decades old. Once you get new frets, you might focus on a lighter touch.
	JLB says: 10/27/2012 6:56:03 AM I wear the frets on my banjos pretty bad also. Those on the forum that have switched to stainless report no noticable change in tone. I would send my Maple Blossom back to the factory for stainless frets but the shipping is a killer.
	Tatersoup says: 10/27/2012 9:03:54 AM I learn something new!
	RUSTYSTILL says: 10/27/2012 10:30:51 AM Thanks for the comments, folks. I like medium guage strings because of the density of tone they give in most ranges compared to lights. Lighter touch? Well, I try to avoid "twanging" but sometimes I bend strings 1/2-1 tone up and use other effects that require putting more pressure on the strings. I like to experiment to see how I can make regular passages more interesting. Remember also that when you pick harder with your right hand, hit certain notes harder than others, your left hand must adapt accordingly with slight increase in pressure to maintain a full sound or to achieve more color in lines. When the frets get problematic sound wise, I think I might have my luthier friend put stainless wire on the first 7-10 frets. Thanks folks. Jim
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