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Post subject: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Sat Nov 09, 2019 12:07 am
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I have a made in Japan strat, from the H serial it was made in 88 or 89.
Could someone tell me if the frets are vintage or medium?
I'm asking this because I want to get a new guitar and it depends of which fret size this one as. I started to play this summer and making bar chords with it still seems as difficult as on my acoustic(that one as huge action on it that I can't set down). I have to squash my finger real down or I get buzz from some strings.
I guess that getting a guitar with a fret size bigger will make up for that problem, right?


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Post subject: Re: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Sun Nov 10, 2019 9:02 pm
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If barre chording is an issue it sounds like you actually have a problem with the radius of the fretboard, not the frets. Vintage Fenders used small(ish) frets but the radius was 7¼ inches. Modern Fenders are generally 9½ inches. The tighter radius favors the natural curvature of the fretting hand.

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Post subject: Re: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 11:12 am
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Just saying it's a made in Japan, end of eighties Strat doesn't tell the fret size.
Might be best to measure, the "vintage" frets are somewhere in the 6230 size class (WxH; .078"x.043" or 2x1,1mm), but those measures are for new frets.

And there are other factors to hard-to-barré problems. It may still be because of the started to play this summer; are you pressing too hard, is the pressure point right related to the fret, are your fingers strong enough.
Or it could relate to setup & such things - if the guitar tends to buzz, is is set up the best it can be? What's the string gauge? And how is the nut; barres on first few frets can be hard if the nut is too high.

But if everything else is in perfect working condition, a hint: a new neck is often cheaper than a refret done by a good pro.


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Post subject: Re: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Mon Nov 11, 2019 11:31 am
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Acoustic have thicker strings.
Harder to barre chord

The action on acoustics can be adjusted lower but requires bottom of the bridge sanded down,
Note this is a one way trip, to lower it too much, you'll need to replace the bridge.

Barring acoustics is harder, you just need a bit stronger hands, that comes in time of practice

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Post subject: Re: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 6:17 am
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If you are near a Fender dealer or music store with good stock, stop by and ask to play a new American Performer, or American Special. Those two have Jumbo frets.

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Post subject: Re: Fret size of my MIJ strat
Posted: Tue Nov 12, 2019 9:21 am
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Sergio Tomasso wrote:
I guess that getting a guitar with a fret size bigger will make up for that problem, right?
Bigger frets may help. If you're new to playing guitar and your guitar is setup properly, practice may be what you need.


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