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Post subject: Vintage frets, a question for you gurus.
Posted: Mon Sep 27, 2010 5:51 pm
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Do the Jaguars typically have vintage frets?

For you really well versed, what models in Fenders line up have vintage frets? I'm assuming Strats, Teles, and all the models have at one time or another, BUT, I barely ever see them.

I almost pulled the trigger and bought a strat today, but after thinking about it, I really think I want something with vintage frets. There was one at the store where I almost bought this other strat. It wasn't what I wanted, but I'm pretty convinced it's one of my requirements. Maybe more so than some of my other requirements I have in my head.

So, does a certain model typically have vintage frets? I think the mustang is being made with it right now.

Any info is greatly appreciated.


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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 12:09 am
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The vintage-correct re-issue MIA and MIJ Jags have the small frets and the 7.25" radius fretboard. Likewise, the re-issue Jazzmasters, Strats, Teles, and Mustangs. The MIM Classic Re-issue Strats and Teles ('50s, '60's, and '70s) are the same. The MIM Classic Player '50s and '60s models (with the two-point trem tailpiece) use fatter frets on a flatter 9" radius board, as do the '50s and '60s Roadworn models. The Classic Player Jazzmaster uses this latter neck and frets as well.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Tue Sep 28, 2010 7:32 am
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You know what's confusing to me? The drawings all show vintage frets as being taller than medium jumbo, but I know I've played guitar that the frets are not as tall as the medium jumbo. Either they're wore down real evenly, or I'm crazy.


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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 12:37 am
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Drawings often do not depict reality.

The vintage fret is roughly 2/3 as tall as a medium jumbo. It's also generally easier to put a proper crown on them for more accurate notation since the radius of the wire relative to its width is much tighter and thus provides a more precise point of contact with each string.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:06 am
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Retroverbial wrote:
Drawings often do not depict reality.

The vintage fret is roughly 2/3 as tall as a medium jumbo. It's also generally easier to put a proper crown on them for more accurate notation since the radius of the wire relative to its width is much tighter and thus provides a more precise point of contact with each string.

HTH

Arjay


Thank you for confirming this for me. The drawings don't depict what I've played. What does this "put a crown" mean. Is that something they do when they're building the necks? And what you're saying that the vintage fret being about 2/3 as tall as the medium jumbo totally reflects what I've played. I haven't played too many that have them, but when I do, it's obvious they are shorter and smaller in every dimension than the medium jumbos.


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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 8:52 am
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This should tell you everything you need to know about frets and fret crowning......

http://www.premierguitar.com/Magazine/I ... wning.aspx

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:43 pm
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Do they do this at the factory? Or am I assuming that any of the smaller frets I've played have been crowned at some point? Do they sometimes crown them before leaving? I'm assuming yes, but I could be wrong.


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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 1:55 pm
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They do but not to the extent that a gifted luthier who makes his living solely on how well a customer's guitar plays would do. I send all of my new guitars off to a local craftsman for this service. Likewise, he levels and polishes the frets for optimum playability. Life is too short for on-stage wrestling with a cranky neck.

HTH

Arjay

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Posted: Thu Sep 30, 2010 6:09 pm
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Gotcha, thank you tons. This has been a good help to me for sure!


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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 1:10 am
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Play as many different guitars with different fret and neck radius combinations as you can to get a feel for the variations. And do not dismiss the medium-jumbo frets out of hand -- many folks prefer them, especially players accustomed to Gibsons.

Best of luck

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 7:56 am
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Seems like most of them feel a little too tall. Although not all. And anytime I play something with vintage frets, they seem perfect. I suppose the radius could make a difference too.


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Posted: Fri Oct 01, 2010 8:56 am
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If you ask a thousand different guitarists about their thoughts on fret size and neck radius you'll get two thousand different opinions.

:mrgreen:

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY


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Posted: Mon Oct 04, 2010 12:44 pm
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Of course. Diversity, the spice of life. I was just trying to understand what really happens with them and why some seem smaller or shorter, even though the drawings say they aren't.


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