Refret advice- '65 D-40 fretwire size?

jfilm

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Getting a refret on my '65 D-40 - wondering what people think about the fretwire size, which isn't something I've thought about before. The guitar tech is using StewMac fretwire, and suggested #0152 (Medium/Higher) size, but said that #0148 (Medium/Medium) would be closer to the original. Any thoughts on the difference? Will the larger size look strange on it? My instinct is to go with what's closer to the original, but wonder what the potential benefits of the higher fretwire could be- for example, the tech said they'll last longer as there's more to level in the future, and I've read that taller frets affect tone, etc. Thanks!
 

GAD

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If you’re not used to high frets then you’ll likely pull the strings sharp when you play.

You can (and should) learn to play with a lighter touch if that happens, but it drives some people crazy.
 

adorshki

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Getting a refret on my '65 D-40 - wondering what people think about the fretwire size, which isn't something I've thought about before. The guitar tech is using StewMac fretwire, and suggested #0152 (Medium/Higher) size, but said that #0148 (Medium/Medium) would be closer to the original. Any thoughts on the difference? Will the larger size look strange on it? My instinct is to go with what's closer to the original, but wonder what the potential benefits of the higher fretwire could be- for example, the tech said they'll last longer as there's more to level in the future, and I've read that taller frets affect tone, etc. Thanks!
Me too, I'm one of those "factory stock" kind of guys. Only sorry I don't know what the original size was supposed to be on those just in case you'd also like to confirm your luthier's advice.

Give it a couple of days if you're not under time pressure for some other vintage D40 owners to chime in.

Re GAD's advice: if you've already got a fairly light touch I'd definitely go with the lower profile. ;)
 

adorshki

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You didn't get what he was saying! If you've already got a fairly light touch then you should have no problem playing the higher profile frets!

Sincerely,

Hans Moust
www.guitarsgalore.nl
Sir, just realized I somehow deleted the original mention of you as possibly knowing what the original wire gauge was.

I inserted "But I bet Hansmoust would know" in front of "just in case...: in this sentence: "Only sorry I don't know what the original size was supposed to be on those (-) just in case you'd also like to confirm your luthier's advice."

I guess you saw an alert but didn't realize that question was the real reason for it.

Re playability can't argue with a guy who does it for a living. I was thinking lighter touch, lower action, easier to fret.
 

jfilm

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Thanks for the responses - I think I'll stick with the med/med, it's what I'm used to and seems to suit me fine. And would rather keep it as close as possible to how it was. Incidentally on the StewMac site, it says "Dan Erlewine's favorite size fretwire!" for the medium/higher size, the same my guitar tech suggested, but I can't find why it's his favorite or which guitars he recommends it for (I assume it's his favorite as a tech and not as a player?).
 

mavuser

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...I was thinking lighter touch, lower action, easier to fret.

lower action would indeed be easier to fret, regardless of fret size.

if the frets are low, u need a heavier touch to make the note ring true. with high frets, too heavy of a touch will push the string farther than necassary (towards the fret board), and (possibly) result in the note ringing a little sharp, just like GAD said- similar to playing slide guitar, u just need that perfect touch. once u get used to the higher frets, its automatic. i prefer higher frets personally, but have learned to adjust to basically all types of neck/fret variants.
 
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