Re-fret - How much should I pay?

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

The funny thing is 6000 is bigger than bass fret wire!

I use 6000 on my bass; it's great :)

I think Im going to move up to that when I get my basses refretted, two are Warwick's fretted with brass wire, have you ever worked with that?

[Bob Johnson]

The funny thing is 6000 is bigger than bass fret wire!

I use 6000 on my bass; it's great :)

I think Im going to move up to that when I get my basses refretted, two are Warwick's fretted with brass wire, have you ever worked with that?

Not recently, there doesn't seem to be that much of a demand for it. The suppliers I tend to use most don't even stock it.

[Steve-Mr Pig 2U]

I think you can only get it from Warwick, Ive only ever seen their basses fretted with it.

[Bob Johnson]

It is available Steve, I think most of the Dunlop profiles are available in brass. It'd just take a bit of research to track it down, 'can't see that it would be a big problem for anyone determined to get it. Personally most of the fingerboard work I've done on basses this year has been doing fretless conversions. Taking the frets out and replacing them with Maple or Ebony markers.

[willo]

hold on, I'm a little confused (sorry!)...but wouldnt bigger frets result in a higher action, which would make the guitar less playable? what am i missing?

[Bob Johnson]

hold on, I'm a little confused (sorry!)...but wouldnt bigger frets result in a higher action, which would make the guitar less playable? what am i missing?

The effective action is the height of the string above the fret not the height over the fingerboard.

If you're used to closing the string on the fingerboard then you have to develop a whole new technique where-by you only apply enough pressure to get a clean note. Otherwise you'll just pull the string sharp. Once you've got it right big frets help you to play faster and cleaner and make string bending a lot easier 'cos you're not sliding the string across the fingerboard there's far less friction and the exra height helps you hook your finger under the string.

[willo]

ok, thanks for that Bob!

so are you saying that in order to play a note I wont actually need to press the string against the fretboard? How hard is this new technique for people to get to grips with?

[Bob Johnson]

Perhaps "develop a whole new technique" was overstating things a bit. You just need a lighter touch. It's a lot easier on the fingers.

[willo]

Perhaps "develop a whole new technique" was overstating things a bit. You just need a lighter touch. It's a lot easier on the fingers.

grand, that sounds a lot more achievable! :P

I thought i'd been missing out on some whole new secret technique thing...