Regardless of the size of your hands, is there a consensus that suggests bigger frets for solo work and aggressive bends, and smaller ones for chord work?

I've got quite big hands and fingers and – while I like both small and large necks – I feel it's the frets that make the big difference... I can get more aggressive bends with medium jumbo frets.

I sometimes feel on the edge of slipping off the strings with low profile frets like the Vintage ones – but that may be exaggerated by the small radius fretboards you find them on (I'm thinking 50's/60's Classic, 52ri)... I dunno.

Hi VSH: I don't think so, really.

I think it is a matter of personal taste and feel: what you find most comfortable for chord work is likely to be what suits you for lead as well.

I have Strats with both "vintage" and "modern" sized frets. I do fine on them all, but if I had to choose just one (which I don't) I guess I'd go for the "medium-jumbo" frets on my modern spec instruments.

But it's a purely personal thing - no rules.

Cheers - C

Dunlop 6105, as sold by Warmoth... "tall/narrow," as shown in this chart:

http://www.warmoth.com/Guitar/Necks/FretSize.aspx

Quick and certain, non-vintage-y frets that require a light touch... ham-fisted players will find they can easily pull notes sharp.

On a 7.25" radius board, I prefer vintage as the curve of the plank is enough to allow for good clean bends and clean chording.

All other Fenders, I like the 'medium jumbo' size.

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I'm guessing these 'tall narrow' ones are like those on the Road Worn series?

I think its all gumf and comes down to what your used to. I have jumbo's on my jackson and they are enourmous, vintage on my favourite strat neck. I certainly notice no difference in speed and if your going to pull notes sharp fretting, you'll do it on anything. Despite fret height. It takes a hell of a lot of pressure to pull a note sharp by simply pressing down. Especialy on a strat with a well set up trem to counteract it. Infact accurate note intonation is harder to acheive on lower set frets. I also think longevity has a fair bit to do with the rise in popularity of big wire, among makers of guitars. After all a guitar that needs a refret every 10-15 years is going to give the impression of being of better quality, when compared one that needs a refret every 5-8 years.
Myself i like vintage frets. Based on the state of my favourite, and guitars that i dont mind modding, frets ground down a good bit. I dont want to feel like i'm playing on a ribcage.

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No no and no

You got me. I know that descriptors tend to be elastic - one company's "tall/narrow may be slightly different than another's. But I know I like these Dunlop's.

And niki, I disagree that it's just matter of what you're used to. The first time I ever played a v-neck with 6105 frets, iI was floored, instantly inspired by how well the combination fit my hand and my playing. I wasn't used to them in any way... it was just right for me, and I spec'ed that combination on my next guitar.

Ninja, you are on fire today!

Cheers - C

Man,

I have been playing for over 25 years and I have vintage frets on my Ventura, Medium jumbos on the strat and extra jumbos on my ESP. I have no preference just on fret size alone.

I would think (with all other thing equal) the bigger the better within reason because they can be leveled and crowned more, and therefore last longer

_________________
Guitars:
1. mid 70's Ventura MIJ Gibson l6-s clone (Pre-lawsuit) in Black with Rosewood FB and EMG 81 BR/ 85 Neck
2. ESP KH2 Neck Thru
3. 2008 Am Std Strat in 3 tone sunburst

I have vintage frets on my MIM Strat, and while I can still bend on them just fine, I do notice that I rub on the fretboard a lot more than on other guitars. The medium-jumbo frets on my Squier feel great, and the rest of my guitars have at least medium-jumbo frets.

I think that if I played any strings heavier than .11s then I would want bigger frets, but otherwise I think that medium-jumbo frets are the way to go.

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Medium Jumbo. But I like Vintage too.

The general consensus is that small vintage frets are in fact harder to bend on especially if you are using a 7.25 radius neck. Just play two Strats one with a vintage radius and vintage frets and then one with a flatter radius with larger frets.

You will easily be able to feel the difference. The neck with the flatter radius and bigger frets is easier to bend on.

Not really. "Consensus" means unanimous agreement. Even from some posts on this thread, let alone all the others on this subject, it is clear there is no general agreement on this.

Many find they can bend just as well on "vintage" spec necks. Including me.

Cheers - C

I like the dunlop 6105s on my SRV neck.Its easy for bending and like someone pointed out, it requires alighter touch.Thats why some people complain about it feeling like a railroad track.I also have a modern C with medium jumbos and it takes a little adjustment in my playing style when i switch guitars.