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Mandolin Frets

DumpsterDave

DumpsterDave

Oct 15, 2008
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4,551
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Birmingham, AL
#1
Lee,

So glad your a part of this sub-forum. You are one of my favorites!

I noticed in another thread that you use mandolin frets on all your fretted basses. Can you provide a little background info about how you came about using the mandolin frets and how they change the playability, tone, etc.

Thanks!

edit: for grammar
 
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#2
DumpsterDave said:
Lee,

So glad your a part of this sub-forum. You are one of my favorites!

I noticed in another thread that you use mandolin frets on all your fretted basses. Can you provide a little background info about how you came about using the mandolin frets and how they change the playability, tone, etc.

Thanks!

edit: for grammar
Click to expand...

I was having a neck reshaped from a P-Bass to a Jazz Bass profile back in the early 70's. While in the shop I looked at fret wire and asked about a very thin wire. I was told it was Mando wire. I said lets try it..we did and I loved it and have used it on every bass I have since then. I find them far more feel friendly. Does not affect intonation. Plus I play hard and use a lot of vibrato and I am on my third refret in like 40 years. I have used this bass on most recordings I have done. The feel is great. Most players who have tried my bass out have changed there to this fret. A personal choice though. Hope this helps.....lee
 
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#3
Leland Sklar said:
I was having a neck reshaped from a P-Bass to a Jazz Bass profile back in the early 70's. While in the shop I looked at fret wire and asked about a very thin wire. I was told it was Mando wire. I said lets try it..we did and I loved it and have used it on every bass I have since then. I find them far more feel friendly. Does not affect intonation. Plus I play hard and use a lot of vibrato and I am on my third refret in like 40 years. I have used this bass on most recordings I have done. The feel is great. Most players who have tried my bass out have changed there to this fret. A personal choice though. Hope this helps.....lee
Click to expand...
Hey Lee, do you know the actual width of the fretwire?
Is it really mando wire at .053" (Thirties Gibson) or .068" (Sixties) or modern mandolin wire at .078-.080"?
 
#7
Done up right, mando frets really facilitate accurate intonation, and it makes playing on top of the fret much easier! A very warm and clear sound. If it wasn't for you sharing the idea Lee, I would have never tried it out..thank-you!
 
#8
danclaro said:
Lee - do you think that Mando frets require special fret dressing? Do you do that kind of fretwork yourself, or do you
danclaro said:
Lee - do you think that Mando frets require special fret dressing? Do you do that kind of fretwork yourself, or do you have any special instructions for someone installing Mando frets in one of your basses?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

No special instructions. Just refret like always. But, I rarely have to do a re fret. My main bass which is the first one I did Mando frets on in the mid 70's is on its third re fret. Have not re fretted any other basses ever.
 
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#9
Tradet in a Musicman Stingray 5 Classic, which is fretted with mando frets.

It sure is a difference, when used to the Jumbo frets basscompanys use on theyr necks. But I like them - and will use them on other basses if a refrett is necessary.

I like them, because I need less strength for proper intonation without any fretnoise. Its not, that I use a lot of power, but you need less when playing with mando frets.

You will notice that when playing a 4-hours - set. With lots of wide spreadet-hand - fingersets under use of the little finger.

On the other hand I just had a single refrett to do - on my Warwick Streamer Stage I I purchased in 1990. I used this bass exclusively until I found out that I prefered 5- Strings. But I kept the bass and tuned it B-E-A-D. Refrett was done in 2003.

Other basses, like my 1964 Precision, do not need a refrett. So do not my Musicman - Basses, three of them, my main Instruments these days.
 
#10
danclaro said:
Lee - do you think that Mando frets require special fret dressing? Do you do that kind of fretwork yourself, or do you have any special instructions for someone installing Mando frets in one of your basses?
Click to expand...

Just do it as any fret job. Nothing unique. Just a gauge change. I would not do it myself. Too much respect for the instrument.
 
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#11
Leland Sklar said:
I was having a neck reshaped from a P-Bass to a Jazz Bass profile back in the early 70's. While in the shop I looked at fret wire and asked about a very thin wire. I was told it was Mando wire. I said lets try it..we did and I loved it and have used it on every bass I have since then. I find them far more feel friendly. Does not affect intonation. Plus I play hard and use a lot of vibrato and I am on my third refret in like 40 years. I have used this bass on most recordings I have done. The feel is great. Most players who have tried my bass out have changed there to this fret. A personal choice though. Hope this helps.....lee
Click to expand...

Ok, having my '78 P-bass refretted and I came across this thread. I hate tall frets on my guitars and basses so I'm going to give this a shot. Report to follow.
 
#12
dean nitz said:
Ok, having my '78 P-bass refretted and I came across this thread. I hate tall frets on my guitars and basses so I'm going to give this a shot. Report to follow.
Click to expand...

I know it's over a year ago but any report / views on how this worked out ?
Interested in this esp as Leland is known for these frets but they don't seem to have caught on in the bass universe in general ?
Some top stuff on his YouTube btw.
 
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