Help with refretting my LPC

[Cholo]

Hey guys,

I figured this IS the place to ask this question.

I have a 74' LPC "fretless wonder" that I have been struggling with over the last couple of years. The frets are just too darn tiny to work anymore and we're both too old to fight about it. Time for a refret!

My question is...there seems to be two thoughts on the net' regarding which fretwire should replace the stock frets. Either the 6105 (tallest and thinner frets) or the "medium jumbos" (6130's...I think). My tech suggests that if I have any concerns regarding the taller ones then I should approach this conservatively with the medium jumbos. However, just to throw me off he says that lots of guys use the 6105's and are just as happy as can be. So quite naturally, I'm torn betwix the two.

Have any of you ever faced this situation? What did you do and do you regret it? Would you do it all over again with the same fret size? What are the pros and cons of the two?

If it helps, I play bluesy rock and I really tend to bend the strings when I "get it".

Thanks for all the help!

 

[Bob Onit]

Go to a shop that has a knowledgeable tech and play a bunch of guitars till you find one that feels the best to you.

Then have the tech measure the frets, you have just made your decision.

I have 6105's on most all my guitars and when it comes time for a re-fret the ones that dont have 6105' will get them.

I do alot of heavy bending and love the 6105's, thats my personal preference, you have to find what feels right to you.

Good luck

 

[xNFx]

I emailed Gibson and they said 02', 03' and I dunno about any later years, come with 6105 stock. So maybe you can try feeling some of the newer model LP's.:dude

 

[Mike Hansen]

Keep in mind that Dunlop and Warmoth both offer what they call 6105 and there is a big difference in size between the two. The Warmoth 6105 is what I've seen on the recent historics.

 

[Dan Erlewine]

What is the difference . . .

. . . Mike? Please list the specs of the two so-called "6105s".

I like a Japanese wire that is .093" wide and .048" tall (IF little or none is removed from the height during a fretjob.

I recall 6105 measuring .055" tall (pretty tall, there). I have a couple pieces that measure .060" tall!

Remember: Fretwire can vary, + or -, by 10% — a little-known fact within the industry so a little birdie told me. The round wire which fretwire is "drawn" from has a + or - tolerance of 10%, hence the fretwire gets more, or less, metal in its shape.

This was true 20+ years ago anyhow, I don't know about today but I suspect it hasn't changed (in the States at least). The Japanese wire that I am familiar with never changes in size.

dan

 

[philtone]

Dunlop does vary in size, seems like esp 6105, which I have used a lot of. I too have seen 'em get as high as .060", some as wide as .095", some only ~.090". I just level until I get what it is I think the client will like (height). Nothing like good communication!

Some folks have needed to adjust to 6105 as it can be so tall and narrow, so I try to be conscientious in the leveling. Some folks like .050" tall, others .055" tall - playing some of the shop guits helps to answer that.

Another thing that concerns me about 6105 is that the bottom of the crown doesn't seem especially flat, which can lead to a seated fret appear to look improperly seated, leading to a little more care in shaping the bottom of the fret ends.

Nonetheless, folks still request 6105 and I still use it on my personal stuff...Every situation has its hurdles and solutions.

 

[DonP]

Here is my story on fretwire.

I had my 1963 SG refretted with jumbo tall-wide up to fret 12, then jumbo tall narrow from 12 on. Dan's got the guitar right now, so maybe he can comment on whether he likes the frets or not (I think he does), and what they measure. When I had the frets replaced, I didn't know at the time to ask what manufacturer or model of fretwire they were using.

I had the fret job done back in 1991, before I knew better about "vintage gear". If I where to refret a vintage instument with vintage resale value, I think I'd stick to vintage correct fret wire.

My SG in Dan's shop is a "player"; non-original finish (looks original), serial number long gone, neck-body separated, various hardware replaced, although I think the P90s are original. I bought the guitar because it sounds great (old wood) and the neck is the best neck shape I have ever played (for my hands). Since this guitar doesn't really hold any "vintage" value, I'm sticking to the fretwire I like - super jumbo.

 

[Mike Hansen]

Re: What is the difference . . .

. . . Mike? Please list the specs of the two so-called "6105s".

I like a Japanese wire that is .093" wide and .048" tall (IF little or none is removed from the height during a fretjob.

Dunlop 6105 is supposed to be .090"x.055"

Warmoth 6105 is supposed to be .096"x.047"

It can be confusing when a customer says they want a refret with 6105 wire, I let them play something with Dunlop 6105, and they say it's way too tall. Both companies have the same numbers for 5 or 6 different wires.

I like that Japanese wire too. That is available from StewMac, right? I don't see it in the catalog right now.

 

[Dan Erlewine]

Re: Re: What is the difference . . .

Dunlop 6105 is supposed to be .090"x.055"

Warmoth 6105 is supposed to be .096"x.047"

It can be confusing when a customer says they want a refret with 6105 wire, I let them play something with Dunlop 6105, and they say it's way too tall. Both companies have the same numbers for 5 or 6 different wires.

I like that Japanese wire too. That is available from StewMac, right? I don't see it in the catalog right now.

WELL, I think someone hasn't done their homework in the fretting department if Warmoth lists "Dunlop" frets that are not the same size. I wonder if they know? I know the Warmoths, and they are smart dudes. Do they use the term "Dunlop"? (I doubt it). Dunlop's fret numbers have become household terms (as have a few StewMac). Very confusing! I measure all wire anyway, of course.

de

 

[Dave Paetow]

The taller jumbo frets seems to be a bit brighter sounding than lower vintage style frets. Some guys like big frets, some don't.

 

[Cholo]

Well I did it! I had my LPC refretted and we decided to go with the Stew Mac 0155 which is .055" x .080" which fit perfectly into my old fret slots. My tech was able to save all the side nibs along the binding too. He shimmed up the existing nut and now it plays great. Much different than what I had become accustomed to over the last 15 years. I really, really dig this.

Thanks for all the information everybody. I knew I could ask here and get some serious takes on the situtation. I appreciate it. I gotta get offline now...I'm going to play.

Thanks again!