Stainless steel fretwire: Your thoughts

[Grahame Myers]

Hi y'all

I had a client last week asking about SS fretwire. He's thinking about getting his Tele re-fretted by me, and was wondering if SS tretwire is worth it. The thing is, I'm wondering about it too: I've never used it, and I don't know anybody here in Germany that has any experience with it.

The only thing I do know is that it seems to have a  negative image on the net: hard to work, wears out tools quicker, and doesn't seem to last any longer than 18% NS anyway, according to a lot of people out there.

For any of you guys that use it, or have used it in the past: what are the pros and cons? Is it a hassle? And if so, is it worth the hassle? Does it last longer? Etc, etc...

Just an aside: It's awful quiet here at the moment. Are all you guys on holiday, splurging some of the fabulous wealth we earn as guitar repairmen (ROFL)?

 

Grahame

[MrGlyn]

I've done maybe a dozen re-frets with it now. I'm a fan.

Lasts longer, buffs up shinier.

Harder work to use but I charge extra too. Cutting is harder but filing is no big deal.

I wasn't keen the first few times but now I'm sold on it.

[Chris Rochow]

SS does wear much longer (which means you will NOT be doing re-frets jobs again for that client), it does wear out the 'nippers''..... fast. Factor in a new pair in your price quote.

[thefishinmusician]

I took two identical squire strats, and refretted one with standard wire, and one with stainless of the exact same size, and set them up exactly the same as each other....The stainless was noticeably brighter, and seemed to have a bit more volume...I also had a customer that would get his two Taylors  partially refretted EVERY year by another shop...I did one, and six months later, he had me do the other...That was over two years ago, and he's saving up to have me do his Martin...Harder work, true...I set my dremel up in a vice with a footswitch to cut the frets close to final size, and grind the ends on the flat of the wheel to dial them in closer...Accurate fingerboard prep keeps levelling to a minimum...I've also done a half and half....First 12 frets, stainless, the rest standard...He too, was a happy camper...

[Dan Smocke]

Hi Grahame,

 

I have used the Evo gold fretwire and find it to be relatively easy to work with.  It's very strong as well as appealing in it's appearance especially when it's matched with gold hardware.

 

I've also worked with stainless steel and yes, it is tougher to work with compared to nickel but it doesn't really matter to me.  If the customer wants it I'll provide it, that's my philosophy.  Of course I price it higher as I do other material such as master grade spruce compared to AA grade spruce or gold evo wire compared to nickel wire.  I also include a percent of the cost of replacement tools if necessary and additional labor expenses.  

 

The bottom line is that it's the customers decision to spend the extra money, not mine and my job it to offer them options/choices in materials that will fulfill their needs and ultimately provide the best possible product that the customer wants.  As long as the customer knows upfront that stainless steel or evo gold is going to cost more then I have no problem providing it.

 

Hope this helps.

Dan