charlie brown Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Why is it, that Gibson uses the squared off, "Railroad ties" on it's guitars, and Epiphone (and others) use a nicer, rounder topped, fret, that doesn't act like a road block, whenever you slide up the neck. I've looked at all my Gibson's, and all my Epi's...all "Stock," and not particularly "worn," by the way, and it's evident, in every case. I admit, my Gibson's are all "pre-plek'd" model years, but there is a noticeable difference, between the ease and comfort, of sliding on the Epi's, compared to the Gibby's. Any ideas, or reasoning, that makes the case, either way? CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IntelligentAl Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I would imagine that the reason for this is because Epiphones are awesome. Yes, that is my reasoning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Why is it' date=' that Gibson uses the squared off, "Railroad ties"on it's guitars, and Epiphone (and others) use a nicer, rounder topped, fret, that doesn't act like a road block, whenever you slide up the neck. I've looked at all my Gibson's, and all my Epi's...all "Stock," and not particularly "worn," by the way, and it's evident, in every case. I admit, my Gibson's are all "pre-plek'd" model years, but there is a noticeable difference, between the ease and comfort, of sliding on the Epi's, compared to the Gibby's. Any ideas, or reasoning, that makes the case, either way? CB[/quote'] which is the #1 reason I don't play my LP custom, the frets are wide and flat (and so is the neck), and it makes bending exhausting... But my LP junior has a higher more rounded frets like the JL Rev, very comfortable to play. Which is why I had my Crestwood re-fretted with medium jumbo frets just like the JL Rev. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L1Picker Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 CB... And I prefer the beefier frets you're talking about. My 335 and LP had them, and that's what I'll have put on my Epi's if I get a refret in the future. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 CB... And I prefer the beefier frets you're talking about. My 335 and LP had them' date=' and that's what I'll have put on my Epi's if I get a refret in the future. [/quote'] Oh, I like "beefy" frets, too...but the ones I'm talking about have much sharper edges, to them. It's not even the height...as much as those sharper (squared off) edges. My Gibson "Lucille" has decent frets, I will admit. But she seems to be the exception, rather than the rule, here. ??? My Riviera's have pretty decent frets, in the "beef" department, but their rounder topped, so you just glide over them. My LP Classic has beefy frets, too..but when I try the exact same slides, the edges will actually hinder to completely stop, that motion....all things (finger pressure, which is pretty light, really) being equal. So, that's what I was wondering/referring to. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whitmore Willy Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 C.B. I dont know so all I can do is guess. I have noticed the same thing. Could it be that Gibson feels it contributes to the longevity of the expected fret life? As many Gibsons have bindings that go over the fret ends, fret dressing and repairs could be a concern. Fret replacement on any such Gibson isn't even something I would want to think about. (just a thought) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
charlie brown Posted January 25, 2009 Author Share Posted January 25, 2009 C.B. I dont know so all I can do is guess. I have noticed the same thing. Could it be that Gibson feels it contributes to the longevity of the expected fret life? As many Gibsons have bindings that go over the fret ends' date=' fret dressing and repairs could be a concern. Fret replacement on any such Gibson isn't even something I would want to think about. (just a thought)[/quote'] But, Willy...why not use rounder topped frets, even so? The wear would be the same if the fret material was the same...and even as they wore down, they'd still have a less sharpened or "corner" feel to them. My older ('60's) Gibson's didn't have these sharper edges on the frets, as I'm quite sure I would have noticed/remember that! In fact, I had a 64 SG Junior, that had a marvelous neck/fret feel, to it. Another guitar I wish I'd never sold! LOL! It's just interesting/curious to me, and I'd love to hear Gibson's response/reasoning. CB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Lister Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Why is it' date=' that Gibson uses the squared off, "Railroad ties"on it's guitars... Any ideas, or reasoning, that makes the case, either way?[/quote'] Back in '56, Gibson negotiated one helluva deal to buy 10,000 kilometers of "railroad tie" fretwire from ALCOA. They're still trying to use up their supply. When they do they will start using that nicer to the touch but "much softer fret wire that Epi uses." It's my idea..., and I'm sticking with it. Hit every BLUE NOTE baaaby..., I'm going to play on:-" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I hadn't really noticed much difference in fret size, but I don't much care for how the binding covers the edge of the frets on gibsons. Makes it look like somebody screwed up, IMO... And I would imagine it is much more difficult to install the frets that way... I can't picture an easy method in my head, either putting the frets on first, or the binding. Anybody know why they do their frets that way? Any reason it is more desirable? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duane v Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 I hadn't really noticed much difference in fret size' date=' but I don't much care for how the binding covers the edge of the frets on gibsons. Makes it look like somebody screwed up, IMO... And I would imagine it is much more difficult to install the frets that way... I can't picture an easy method in my head, either putting the frets on first, or the binding. Anybody know why they do their frets that way? Any reason it is more desirable?[/quote'] binding looks better, but maybe it's real purpose is to cover up crappy fret jobs from the manufacturer... j/p Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
generation zero Posted January 25, 2009 Share Posted January 25, 2009 Only possible benefit I can figure is it makes them harder to copy... Or, perhaps, makes it easier to tell if it has been refretted or not. I would assume that if you were refretting one like that, you'd pull the frets, file down the binding flush with the fretboard, and then install the frets over the binding. At least that's what I will have done to my traditional when it eventually comes time for a refret... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BENT E Posted January 26, 2009 Share Posted January 26, 2009 I believe that Gibson installs the fret wire, then files down the fret to meet a standard height to coinside with nut height and an even fretboard. Most imports are pressed stock, but usually have a larger distance between the bottom of the string and first fret at the nut. Fender used to do that also I believe. Crowning after leveling is a lot of work, and let's face it, it comes down to dollars & cents. Bound fretboards are more timely due to the individual fret having to be sized by cutting the tangs on the frets before pressing. I recently refretted my MIM Fender strat with medium jumbo's, and it was guite time consuming. With todays equipment they just stick one fret end in, then press them all in with one shot. Fast, clean, and even. The Squier '50s Classic vibe tele I just scored came with a perfect fret job, even the Squier Standard Strat that came right after, also had a perfect fret install. My last two Epi's, a Riv' and MIC Casino had really nice fret jobs, but my earlier Epi' collection were some what rough. CNC machinery improves daily, better consistency, bigger profit. Thats my take on the situation... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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