i was comparing my two strats (a jimmie vaughan signature and a classic vibe 60s). I noticed that on the fender and squier sites they say that both guitars have "medium jumbo" frets.

Wierd thing is that when comparing the frets they actually differ in width:




so my question is, what exactly IS medium jumbo and why are both guitars specced as such while they actually differ?

I wouldn't concern myself with it. Fretwire comes in all sorts of different sizes depending on who makes it.

What I would concern myself with is the grime on that maple board. That can get under the fret, once the lacquer seal is broken. It's no good for your strings or your fretwire.

_________________
No no and no

I don't see how you can compare as the maple neck frets have some kind of junk all around them. Never seen a fret job so bad!!

lol thanks for the tip....my neck gets nasty pretty fast


although i would still like to have an answer to my origional question, since i'm currently looking around for a new strat and i want to know as much as possible

Well it's obvious isn't it, and answered in my first post here. The fretwire is made by different companies for both guitars.
What you need to do is measure the wire width and height. Calipers for the width. Steel rule across 2 frets then feeler gauges up from the fretboard to the underside of the steel rule, for the height. Then get looking round the fretwire manufacturers for similar size.

_________________
No no and no

ofcourse but that's like saying that the term "medium jumbo" is meaningless. the difference is obvious but i thought that fret heights/width between x and y qualify as being "medium jumbo"?

No different manufacturers will call things as they wish.

Also you have to take into account who finished the frets? Did they take off the sides when crowning the top? Why all the interest in the width? It plays a miniscule part in the way the fret feels, height being much more noticable.

Looking at your picture, the maple board frets need recrowning. See the flat spots worn in. Thats exactly what fretboard grime causes. It comes off your fingers taking acids with it. Which then eat into the nickel of the fretwire. Then starts to cause fretbuzz because the strings cant ring clearly. It causes string breakage too.
I'm sorry to keep on about it, but it's the small foxes that ruin the vine, as it were. It's bad, bad stuff.

_________________
No no and no

I just had my US Deluxe Strat refretted with Fender Medium Jumbo, same wire fitted at the factory, your Jimmy Vaughan is fitted with the same wire when new. Here's the details and a link where you can get it if you want the exact same replacement. (The centre item on the page is Fender Medium Jumbo fitted to your "Jimmy Vaughan" at the factory).

Fender Medium Jumbo fret measurement = .103 wide x .046 high

24 pre cut pieces and radiused to 9.5" (fender part no. 0991998000)

http://www.guitarpartsresource.com/hard ... genfen.htm

Many other makers also use the term "Medium Jumbo" and depending on maker the size varies, I'm not sure who makes the wire Fender uses for their "Genuine Parts", but using the size quoted you can get a close match-up, or just buy a pack of the Fender stuff and you know it's the same thing.

I'm not sure why the "Classic Vibe" (Squire Series?) wire differs but my Jimmy Vaughan had the same size as my US Deluxe.


Snowy

is there a relation between radius and fret size, since most of the time you see 7,25 radius and vintage frets, and 9,50 with medium jumbos?

No Sir.

Fret's regardless of size are bent to whatever radius is needed, then fitted into the slot. You can have whatever fretsize on whatever radius board.

_________________
No no and no

I know you've heard this already, but I have to add a big +1 for cleaning all that gunk off your fretboard. You've got a lot bigger fish to fry when picking out a new strat than worrying about specifics like fretting... maybe tone would be a worthy point of focus?

Don't fret about fret size and go take care of that poor guitar!

Cheers,
Chris

you bunch of clean freaks!

Valid point, but I think we're only coming down on you for the maintenance of your fretboard because it will mean the guitar will last much longer before needing a major overhaul. I've seen your previous posts about trying to pick out a new guitar and asking for suggestions, etc.

That is great!! There's nothing more exciting than doing the research and test driving new guitars and setting your heart on that perfect one for you. However, if you're going to be shelling out the money for some of the models you described, you'll want to be keeping after those sort of details to ensure the guitar will keep up with you.

Cheers!
Chris

Well yeah, but no, but yeah, but right, errr?

In truth mate, it does matter a lot. I throw em in the case after a gig, no wipe, no nothing. Leave it alone till the next week, take it out and do the same again. (damn weekend warrior)
Once a month they get a clean though. And my guitar in the house that gets played daily gets a wipe at the end of the day when I lock up. I save a fortune on strings that way. I just put a new set on my 57Hotrod after seven months and didn't notice much improvment.
It's easy when it's routine.

Then again make it a part of your OCD and it's a must.

_________________
No no and no

hmmm that might explain the fact that my strings only last 3/4 weeks before sounding very dead..