Wiktor Wise
The fret wire sizes on electric guitars vary, and there is no standard fret width for electric guitars. The fret size depends on the manufacturer and the model of the guitar. Fret wire sizes are categorized into small, medium, and jumbo sizes. The small fret wire sizes are usually found on older guitars, while the medium fret wire sizes are commonly found on modern guitars. The jumbo fret wire sizes are the largest and are less common. The fret wire size affects the playability and feel of the guitar, with smaller frets allowing for faster playing and larger frets providing better sustain and tone. Ultimately, the choice of fret size depends on the guitarist's preference and playing style.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Frets | Thin wire strips spaced at precise intervals along the entire length of the fingerboard |
| Fret composition | Manufactured in lengthy rolls, usually made of nickel silver |
| Fret anatomy | Consists of a rounded "crown" atop a thinner "tang" with barbs on either side |
| Fret wire sizes | Vary from small (.078″ x .043″) to vintage jumbo (.102″ x .042″) to modern narrow and tall (.090″ x .055″) to jumbo (.110″ x .055″) |
| Fret wire preference | Depends on playing style and finger placement on the fingerboard |
| Jumbo frets | Wider and taller than most guitar frets, providing easier playability and better sustain, tone, and bending |
| Modern guitars | Tend to have wider and taller frets compared to vintage instruments |
| Fret size impact | Height and width shape how a fretboard feels and plays, with shorter frets at the lower end of the fretboard and longer frets towards the higher end |
| Medium-height and medium-width frets | Include Jescar 47095, 47090, 45080, Sanko SBB-217, SBB-23, and Jim Dunlop 6150 |
| Short and thin frets | Examples include Dunlop 6330-6320-6310, Jescar 37053, 39040, and Sanko SBU-23, found on vintage Fenders and 1950s Gibson electric guitars |
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What You'll Learn
Electric guitars from the 1950s have thinner frets
Electric guitars from the 1950s, such as the Fender Telecaster and Gibson Les Paul, did indeed have thinner frets compared to modern guitars. The frets on these vintage guitars are typically described as vintage jumbo, which are wider than standard frets but not as tall as modern frets.
The frets on a guitar are the thin metal strips that run along the entire length of the fingerboard, and their purpose is to stop the strings at the correct pitch when the player pushes a string against the fingerboard. The size of frets can vary, and this can impact the playing style and feel of the guitar.
While the specific measurements can vary, vintage jumbo frets typically have a width of 0.102 inches and a height of 0.042 inches. In comparison, modern frets, such as the 6105 fret wire, have a width of 0.090 inches and a height of 0.055 inches. This makes modern frets larger overall, despite having a narrower width than vintage jumbo frets.
The preference for thinner frets in the 1950s may be due to the design and construction trends of that era. Electric guitar design has evolved over time, and the scale length, neck shape, and fret size can all influence the playing style and feel. The shorter the scale length, the closer the fret spacing, which can result in a more streamlined playing experience. Additionally, the shape of the guitar neck can also vary, contributing to the overall feel and playability of the instrument.
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The fret wire's width and height are the main factors that determine how a fretboard feels
The feel of a fretboard is influenced by the width and height of the fret wires, which are the thin wire strips running along the entire length of the fingerboard. The width and height of the crown, the part of the fret wire that sits above the fretboard, are particularly important.
Fret wire comes in various sizes, with the main fret wire maker, Dunlop Manufacturing Inc., producing five main sizes, from the smallest, .078" x .043", to the largest, .110" x .055". The height and width of the frets influence the playability and feel of the guitar. For example, shorter frets allow for faster playing but make bending and vibrato more difficult, while taller frets provide more room between the fingerboard and string, allowing for easier bending.
The width of the frets also plays a role in the playing experience. Narrow frets can be tricky for some players as they make it easier to play sharp. Additionally, with narrower frets, it is more likely that a player's fingers will touch the fingerboard, which some may prefer. Wider frets, on the other hand, provide more surface area, making it easier to apply pressure to the strings.
The scale length of the guitar also affects the spacing between the fret wires, with the distance between the frets increasing as the neck widens. This means that the length of each fret is determined by its position on the fretboard, with higher frets being longer than lower ones.
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Jumbo frets are wider and taller than standard frets
Frets are the thin wire strips spaced at precise intervals along the entire length of the fingerboard. Fret wire is usually made of nickel silver, an alloy that does not contain any silver. The fret sizes vary in width and height, with the main fret wire maker, California-based Dunlop Manufacturing Inc., producing five main sizes.
The increased width and height of jumbo frets can provide a smoother, more buttery playing feel, making it easier to bend strings. Taller frets reduce the contact between the player's fingers and the fretboard, requiring less pressure for notes to ring out. This makes techniques like bending and tapping easier. However, with less contact between the fingers and the fretboard, it is easy to apply too much pressure to the strings, potentially pushing the notes out of tune.
Jumbo frets are less common as a standard feature on guitars, but several notable blues guitarists have opted for them, including Stevie Ray Vaughan, Rory Gallagher, Philip Sayce, and Kenny Wayne Shepherd.
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Modern guitars tend to have wider and taller frets
The popularity of these wider and taller frets can be attributed to their advantages in playability. Taller frets reduce the contact between the player's fingers and the fretboard, requiring less pressure to produce clear notes. This feature also makes string-bending and tapping techniques easier to execute. However, it is important to note that with a heavier playing style, it is possible to apply excessive pressure, potentially pushing the notes out of tune.
Wider frets offer a smoother playing experience by reducing the acute angle between the fretboard and the top of the fret crown. This design makes sliding up and down the fretboard more seamless, especially when compared to narrower frets, which can feel clunky and obstructive. Additionally, wider frets provide more space for string bending and vibrato techniques.
The combination of wider and taller frets in modern guitars offers a balance between the benefits of each feature. Taller frets enhance playability by reducing the required finger pressure, while wider frets minimize the acute angle between the fretboard and the fret, resulting in a smoother playing feel. Ultimately, the preference for fret size depends on the player's style and comfort.
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Fret height can be adjusted by a competent technician
The height of the frets on a guitar is an important factor in determining how a fretboard feels and plays. While the length of a fret is determined by its position on the fretboard, the height and width are the two key factors that influence a player's experience. Fret height is also referred to as "action", which is the distance between the crown (top) of the fret and the bottom of the string.
In some cases, a guitar may require a refret, which involves removing the existing frets, addressing any problems with the neck and fingerboard, and installing new frets. A good technician will also level the frets to ensure they are all on the same plane, even if their heights vary slightly along the neck. This process involves abrading or removing metal from the tops of the frets.
The optimal fret height will depend on the player's preferences and playing style. Taller frets, such as jumbo frets, can make string bending and fretting easier, but may feel awkward and uncomfortable, especially for players with smaller hands. On the other hand, shorter frets allow the player's fingers to touch the fingerboard, but may require more pressure to fret the strings. Ultimately, the choice of fret height and width is a matter of personal preference and can be adjusted to suit the player's needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Frets are the thin wire strips spaced at very precise intervals along the entire length of the fingerboard. They are cut from fret wire, which is usually made of nickel silver.
Fret sizes vary in width and height, with the main fret wire maker, Dunlop Manufacturing Inc., producing five main sizes, from smallest to largest: 6230, 6150, 6105, 6100, and super jumbo.
Electric guitars, especially older models, tend to have shorter and thinner frets. For example, vintage Fender guitars from before the 1980s and 1950s Gibson electric guitars feature shorter and thinner frets.
Smaller frets provide a more streamlined playing feel, making them ideal for those with smaller hands. They also allow your fingers to touch the fingerboard when fretting the strings, which some guitarists prefer.
Smaller frets may not offer the same ease of playability as larger frets, where the strings can be fretted with less pressure. Smaller frets may also be more challenging for guitarists who play with a heavy and physical style.
