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Post subject: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 3:39 pm
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Hello. I need to refret a '69 P bass. Would like to get frets the same or close to the original fret size used in '69. Does anybody know the fret crown height, width and tang size for these frets? Thanks!


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Fri Mar 08, 2013 10:58 pm
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If buying Fender fret sets it depends on the neck radius. For a vintage 7.25" radius the Fender Vintage Bass Frets (Fender Part # 099-2015-000) are correct for it. Or buy Dunlop 6230 size wire and then shape and cut them yourself. Either measures .080"w X .037"h and are essentially the same stuff. Even though the Fender set is pre-cut and pre-shaped you'll still have to level them and roll the edges as if you had cut them yourself.

For a 9.5" radius the Fender set is called Standard Fretwire Set (Fender Part # 099-1997-000) with Dunlop 6130 being the equivalent size which is 106"w X .036"h and commonly referred to as "Medium Jumbo" size frets.

The tangs on both are essentially the same so they are interchangeable except for the radius pre-bend on the Fender replacement sets, therefore if you want to replace vintage frets with medium jumbo fretwire you can do that if you do the bending yourself.

In fact all the Dunlop frets seem to have the same size tang, so you could even go Jumbo or Super Jumbo and find the same size tang.

Keeping it original is probably a good idea but if you use roundwound strings I'd give some thought to using the larger fretwire and weigh carefully the durability of the larger frets versus keeping the frets the original size. I only use flatwound strings on the vintage size frets as a personal rule. Rounds eat vintage style frets for breakfast.


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 11:22 am
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Thanks for the info. I have the 7.25" radius but the crown width of the current frets is ~.102" - .103". I guess this bass has been refretted in the past and they went with a wider crown. ??? That's a substantial difference in width. .080" is commonly used on guitars. I wanted to go with originality but now I'm not sure. :?

I hadn't considered the type of string and how it would wear on the frets. Good to know!

Would non-original size frets diminish the value of the bass?


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Sat Mar 09, 2013 2:52 pm
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The width crown you specify would be Dunlop 6150 wire. It measures 102″w x .042″h and is often called "Vintage Jumbo." Fender doesn't offer that size at this time in a pre-cut and radiused set so far as I know. 6150 is a fret size used still used by Gibson though. It was possibly correct for that instrument at the time, I am not sure.

However Fender only offers one choice pre-cut and radiused for a vintage radius and that is the much narrower vintage wire. I'm not real fond of Vintage frets and you'd probably be better served to get the 6150, cut it and radius it. The 6150 wire is far more durable if you ever put roundwound strings on it. The skinny vintage frets are said to be advantageous in yielding more precise intonation, smooth playability and even clearer tone. When an instrument is set up property with vintage frets, slides will sound almost as smooth as on a fretless bass with hardly any fret noise at all. So there are some advantages to them, but if you are accustomed to Medium-Jumbo or Vintage-Jumbo then you will have an "adjustment period" before being real comfortable with them.

You can get stainless steel fretwire which is far more durable than nickel silver. HOWEVER the stainless frets are much brighter and I prefer the nickle silver tone. Just a personal preference.


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 11:51 am
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I called Fender customer relations. Not much help there. They said after CBS bought them, recording keeping was scarce so they don't know the specs. He did say the American Vintage Series uses the 099-2015-000 (skinny vintage wire) fret wire so he assumes that is what my '69 P bass started with.

Thanks for your input.


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Tue Mar 12, 2013 8:34 pm
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If it has Vintage Jumbo sized frets and you like them that size there is no reason not to use Vintage Jumbo.


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Wed Mar 13, 2013 7:56 am
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yep ... going with the vintage jumbo. :P


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Post subject: Re: Need specs for '69 P bass fretwire
Posted: Mon Mar 18, 2013 11:06 am
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Your 1969 Precision Bass came with Jumbo frets originally so you are doing OK with the fret choice of Vintage Jumbo.

The switch to jumbo bass frets occurred by 1966, since I own a 1966 Precision bass and it has original Jumbo frets vs. my 1960 Precision which has very thin frets.

Good luck with your bass.


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