Fret Wire

[rv_bass]

I have an Alembic bass that needs new frets.  Does anyone know what the standard Alembic bass fret wire is?  Thanks!

[dela217]

I am sorry I do not know the answer to your question.

BUT, I just had my Alembic 73-47 re-fretted.    It was done by a local luthier and he used stainless steel fret wire.   PLEK'd it too.   It came out really nice!   It has a good feel and look.

[rv_bass]

Dela, thanks for the feedback.  I will look into PLEK stainless steel.

I’m also seeing references to Jescar and size 6105, and stainless Steele in other links, so I will look into that as well.

Thanks.

[edwardofhuncote]

Jescar makes great fretwire in several gauges. I believe Mica told me they are using it for new builds now. I recently have had both #77-621 and #80-1684 refretted with Jescar EVO Gold fretwire. According to my buddy and mentor Ward Elliott, it isn't quite as hard as stainless steel, still much tougher than regular nickel, and much much easier to work than stainless.


The gold color also looks nice with Alembic brass. 

[rv_bass]

Those look nice, Greg, do you know what size they are? Thanks!

[lbpesq]

Rob, “pleked” refers to leveling and crowning the frets on a Plek machine.  It’s a computer controlled machine and works with any type of fret, not just SS.

Bill, tgo

[edwardofhuncote]

Those look nice, Greg, do you know what size they are? Thanks!

I'll ask Ward tomorrow... I'm sure he'll remember right off.

[rv_bass]

Thanks for the explanation, Bill, and thanks for checking, Greg. 

[edwardofhuncote]

Those look nice, Greg, do you know what size they are? Thanks!

I'll ask Ward tomorrow... I'm sure he'll remember right off.

Just got offa' the phone. He had a leftover piece still laying in the drawer and measured .105 × .050 which makes it most likely this: https://www.jescarguitar.com/shop/jescar-fret-wire-47104/


Ward buys it from Luthier's Mercantile, but Jescar Evo wire is available just about everywhere now. I think even Stew-Mac carries it.

[rv_bass]

Greg, thanks for looking into that, I will check them out.
-Rob

[edwin]

I am sorry I do not know the answer to your question.

BUT, I just had my Alembic 73-47 re-fretted.    It was done by a local luthier and he used stainless steel fret wire.   PLEK'd it too.   It came out really nice!   It has a good feel and look.

I finally got my '67 Starfire refretted with stainless steel. It actually changed the bass a lot. Neither better nor worse, just different. A lot more consistent around the instrument. I'm guessing I'll never have to refret it again in my lifetime.

[KR]

Rob, I just saw this. Speaking from experience...If you like the sound of your bass the way it is, consider using regular Jescar. I recommend this because I've re-fretted 5 or more vintage and modern basses with it, and the tone is consistently good across all of them after the new frets; not something I can say about other makers of frets. If your bass is dark sounding and you need a rise in the high end, it's possible that stainless frets might help with that. The safest bet for long wearing and great sounding frets is regular Jescar.

[rv_bass]

Thanks, Keith, getting good recommendations for Jescar, so I will go with them, they sound like the best way to go.  -Rob