1 Topic by GuitarSlingerofTruth (edited by GuitarSlingerofTruth 2012-03-14 14:21:55)

  • From: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Topic: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

I want to refret my early 70's LP custom. 1) yes I plan on keeping it so devaluation is not a concern, I'm doing this for me, 2) I've been considering going with stainless steel since they wear out significantly slower than traditional nickel. Do stainless steel frets affect the tone significantly? Also, what's a ballpark price if done by someone who is highly qualified? I don't plan on skimping on price with something this major.

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
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  • Registered: 2011-03-20
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Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

SS last longer but cost more, just had one of my guitars re-fretted and went for standard wire, I mean seriously, how many frets can you wear out on one guitar! lol! SS are great though, very slinky but they do sound different.

  • From: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

That's true, but if I can spend a little more and basically never have to worry about it again, it sort of seems worth it. I'm more worried that the SS frets will kill the "mojo" of a vintage instrument?

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

I thought that stainless steel frets were incredibly more difficult to install on a guitar especially with binding?

I like the fact they last longer. probably wont tarnish or need to be shined as much either wink

I played a Parker Fly Deluxe back in the late 90's had stainless steel frets and it was a real pleasure to play.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

Its funny because the new EVH Wolfgangs fender is making for EVH Gear has stainless Steel frets.  One of the video's on the guitar Eddie says he tried them out they felt great and he couldn't hear a tonal difference.  He also said because he finger taps so much he would indent the frets and have to either crown the frets every couple of weeks or at the end of 3 months get a complete refret.  He used the Stainless Steel for his 2007/2008 tour and used basically 3 main guitars and had no work done to them the entire time.  I think thats saying something.  Also going back to the tonal differences Eddie added "If I don't hear a tonal difference then its not there."

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SVU8Wemh … 7B9330CC70
4:50

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

Funny you mention Eddie. I actually have a 2008 Ernie Ball Music Man Axis, which is basically the same model they made for EVH when they had an endorsement deal with him. It has stainless frets and sounds amazing, though I'm not sure how much of the tone of that guitar is directly related to the SS frets as opposed to nickel ones, since I've never heard it with nickel frets.

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
  • Registered: 2006-04-22
  • Posts: 1,168

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

My advise is to put nickel vintage correct Gibson Wire on it..  A Les Paul Custom is a bright guitar why make it way brighter...?   I strongly suggest  Nickel
JB

  • From: Detroit
  • Registered: 2006-06-02
  • Posts: 5,807

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

My 1978 Custom has the "fretless wonder" frets on it, and since they are getting really flat... I'm tempted to do a refret. But go back and forth between jumbo or period correct frets.

- Nic from Detroit... posting on JB's Forum since 6-2-2006
Ask me about my handwound Great Lakes Guitar Pickups
Since 2010, Bonamassa fans have taken advantage of my JB friend discount = my cost + shipping. cool
  • From: North Carolina
  • Registered: 2008-10-26
  • Posts: 2,926

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

Ah what does this guy know anyway ;P

Joe Bonamassa wrote:

My advise is to put nickel vintage correct Gibson Wire on it..  A Les Paul Custom is a bright guitar why make it way brighter...?   I strongly suggest  Nickel
JB

AD3THREE's Website

  • From: Asheville, North Carolina
  • Registered: 2009-02-24
  • Posts: 133

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

I guess if the man says go with nickel, I better go with nickel. Thanks for the advice JB!

Guitars: 1974 LP Custom, 2013 R8
Amps: '88 JCM 800 w/ TV cab, Tone King Falcon
Effects: Fulltone Clyde, Monsterpiece Stud, EP Booster, Strymon El Capistan
  • From: West Sussex
  • Registered: 2011-05-17
  • Posts: 307

Re: '73-'74 Les Paul Custom refret, nickel or stainless steel?

GuitarSlingerofTruth wrote:

I guess if the man says go with nickel, I better go with nickel. Thanks for the advice JB!

I think if you ask a guitar advice question on the JB forum and he tells you what to do then you are pretty much duty bound to do just that.