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Post subject: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 7:35 am
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Aspiring Musician
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All my Strats have either Medium Jumbo or Narrow Jumbo frets so naturally, of course, I need another Strat with vintage frets. :lol:

Recently I played a "Classic Series '50s Strat" and although I didn't care too much for the feel of the Laquer, I really loved the feel of the vintage frets.

Going through the models currently in production, these are the ones I found with vintage frets:
  • SPECIAL EDITION '60S STRATOCASTER® LACQUER
  • AMERICAN VINTAGE '56 STRATOCASTER®
  • AMERICAN VINTAGE '59 STRATOCASTER®
  • AMERICAN VINTAGE '65 STRATOCASTER®
  • CLASSIC SERIES '50S STRATOCASTER®
  • CLASSIC SERIES '60S STRATOCASTER®
  • CLASSIC SERIES '70S STRATOCASTER®
  • ROAD WORN® '60S STRATOCASTER®
  • ERIC CLAPTON STRATOCASTER®
  • RITCHIE BLACKMORE STRATOCASTER®

With the exception of Custom Shop models, are there any others with vintage frets?

With regard to fret size and fingerboard radius, most Strats with vintage frets come with a fingerboard radius of 7.25". The Clapton has a radius of 9.5" and the radius on the SRV model is 12". Given this, would I be correct in assumming that fret size has nothing to do with fingerboard radius? Also when it comes time to refret a Strat, can the fret size and type change? For example going from Medium Jumbo frets to Vintage or vice versa?

Thanks and Cheers!
BM

edited to remove the SRV from the above list

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Last edited by Bluer Monkey on Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:01 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 10:02 am
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
are there any others with vintage frets?

You did a pretty good search job already - if you can't find one you like among those, you just gotta order Custom Shop :wink:

Bluer Monkey wrote:
(1) would I be correct in assumming that fret size has nothing to do with fingerboard radius? (2) Also when it comes time to refret a Strat, can the fret size and type change? For example going from Medium Jumbo frets to Vintage or vice versa?

1&2; yes and yes.
The 7.25" radius usually associated with vintage frets is just a tradition, not something dictated by a) radius or b) fret size.
IMHO, the fret size is mostly dependant on personal preferences. There are some practical aspects, too (like, that a heavy handed player easily presses strings out of tune on big frets - or that a small radius can be "compounded" by shaving big frets to a little flatter radius on the higher end), but mostly it's just "I like" - "I don't like".


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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 11:18 am
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The SRV model has jumbo frets, because that was Stevie's preference.
http://www.fender.com/guitars/stratocas ... ml#start=1


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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 11:30 am
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stratmangler wrote:
The SRV model has jumbo frets, because that was Stevie's preference.
http://www.fender.com/guitars/stratocas ... ml#start=1
I was under the same impression, stratmangler and was surprised to see vintage frets under the specs for the SRV. I just doubled checked before posting and it reads "Vintage-Style" for fret size. Could this be a typo?

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 11:40 am
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jmattis wrote:
You did a pretty good search job already - if you can't find one you like among those, you just gotta order Custom Shop :wink:
Funny you should say that because earlier today I downloaded the Custom Shop Order Form. I may fill it out and even "threaten" to send it in. :lol: Of all those listed, three come close to would I'd like in terms of specs but still it would be a compromise: Classic Series '50s, '60s, and the EC.

Thanks for the feedback
Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 12:44 pm
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
jmattis wrote:
You did a pretty good search job already - if you can't find one you like among those, you just gotta order Custom Shop :wink:
Funny you should say that because earlier today I downloaded the Custom Shop Order Form. I may fill it out and even "threaten" to send it in. :lol: Of all those listed, three come close to would I'd like in terms of specs but still it would be a compromise: Classic Series '50s, '60s, and the EC.


Why not simply buy the instrument above that meets the majority of your specs then let hot-rodding's nature take its course?

You'll save a pisspot full of $$$ and might even end up with an instrument that's more precisely tailored to your needs.

:idea:

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Fri Apr 17, 2015 1:24 pm
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
stratmangler wrote:
The SRV model has jumbo frets, because that was Stevie's preference.
http://www.fender.com/guitars/stratocas ... ml#start=1
I was under the same impression, stratmangler and was surprised to see vintage frets under the specs for the SRV. I just doubled checked before posting and it reads "Vintage-Style" for fret size. Could this be a typo?

Cheers!
BM


I wish that the guys who do all the web page stuff actually knew their backside from their elbow with regard to guitars.
I also wish they'd exercise a little due diligence and actually check what they'd actually put there. I reckon the website is a victim of a cut & paste merchant 8)


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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Sat Apr 18, 2015 5:09 pm
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stratmangler wrote:
The SRV model has jumbo frets, because that was Stevie's preference.
http://www.fender.com/guitars/stratocas ... ml#start=1
Indeed. The web site still lists "vintage-style" frets for the SRV model. I trust it will be correctly at some point. I've edited my original post to remove the SRV from the list of models with vintage frets.

Thanks
BM

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 11:49 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Why not simply buy the instrument above that meets the majority of your specs then let hot-rodding's nature take its course? You'll save a pisspot full of $$$ and might even end up with an instrument that's more precisely tailored to your needs. :idea: Arjay
Absolutely it's a good idea, Arjay, and if I had your skills I wouldn't hesitate. I would probably put together a '63 model, pop in some SCNs with the S1 switching, in Firemist Gold Metallic with matching headstock. Ring any bells? :D :D (Of the three in your stable, this one is still my favourite.)

Actually I would go with a hardtail, CS '57/'62s, vintage frets, and nothing extraordinary for the other specs (color, wood, etc.) but my greatest fear is winding up with several hundred dollars worth of spare parts.

Cheers!
BM

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Post subject: Re: "Vintage-Style" fret size
Posted: Sun Apr 19, 2015 1:12 pm
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Bluer Monkey wrote:
Actually I would go with a hardtail, CS '57/'62s, vintage frets, and nothing extraordinary for the other specs (color, wood, etc.) but my greatest fear is winding up with several hundred dollars worth of spare parts.


In that case, take a look at the Robert Cray Strat. It's a pretty solid instrument right out of the box. The only thing you *might* find lacking is the limited selection of colors......3TSB (nice), Inca Silver (yawn), and dark violet blue (WTF?).

Arjay

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