Hi guys,

My old 77 Strat is in need of a re-fret [it still has the originals on], What type of fret wire would you recommend?

Al.

I like medium jumbos like they use on a lot of the newer Fenders. They have enough mass that I can really use them as a reference when sliding down the neck, but not so huge that they feel at all like they're in my way. If you can afford it, stainless is the way to go IMO.

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+1
I would go with the slighty larger frets also. I did a refret on a Classic series 70s rosewood without issues recently. If memory serves me correct, the 70s strats had very thin wire and not too deeply set. It would be good not to go too large as the tangs on the larger frets may require making the slots deeper on the maple.

Thanks for the info, you know I'm tempted to replace the whole neck with a rosewood type, and get the radius altered to 9.5 ... this way I keep the old neck original, and the guitar might be a tad easier to play.

Trouble is finding a replacement 3 bolt neck is proving tricky.

Al.

Be aware of this......in the 1970's, Fender did not press frets straight in to the fretboard like today! They had a neat little mechanism that pushed the frets in to the slots sideways! that's why old Fenders didnt suffer from sprung frets! the tangs never went in from the top, so could not go up! If you pull the frets out the traditional way, be prepared to see your fretboard chip all to H3LL !!!! Use a punch and tap them sideways, from the treble side of the neck towards the bass side

Thanks for the warning ... and caused me to contact the guy I have used in the past to service my guitars, and happens to have a rosewood neck with medium jumbos on ... So I'll go and see him this w/end.
Al.