can thicker guage strings ruine kneck and frets??

[Monster]

ok i was reading on other forums, that the heavy gauge strings will ruine your frets and kneck alot quicker then if using lighter gauge strings, right now i am using 9 gauge, i like using 10's, and plan on putting tens on, but is it true that that the heavy guage strings will ruine your guitar faster ??? and that smaller gauge is better for the kneck..??

thanks monster

 

[blackspy]

The material of the string, and the guage do affect the overall life of the frets. Though, I think it'd take a good long while no matter what. My oldest guitar was played consistently since 1985, and I finally had the neck replaced this summer because I started having intonation problems related to the worn frets. The new neck was cheaper than a fret job. It's nothing thats going to happen overnight or anything. Oh, and I (usually) used a standard set of .9's on it, low action, etc..

I wouldn't worry too much about it, if you like .10's, use them, plenty of people use .10's and have a good playing guitar for decades.

 

[Colin]

ok i was reading on other forums, that the heavy gauge strings will ruine your frets and kneck alot quicker then if using lighter gauge strings, right now i am using 9 gauge, i like using 10's, and plan on putting tens on, but is it true that that the heavy guage strings will ruine your guitar faster ??? and that smaller gauge is better for the kneck..??

thanks monster

I worked out that I'd done over 1000 gigs with my EVH MM. As a result the frets are like pancakes (combination of various fret dresses and using between 10's & 11's). So I don't play it much these days,I'm scared that a refret will change the sound.

Colin

 

[Norrin Radd]

I worked out that I'd done over 1000 gigs with my EVH MM. As a result the frets are like pancakes (combination of various fret dresses and using between 10's & 11's). So I don't play it much these days,I'm scared that a refret will change the sound.

Colin

Well, not refretting the guitar means it will eventually become unplayable. SO, you'll have to either refret or retire the guitar.

 

[koogie2k]

I worked out that I'd done over 1000 gigs with my EVH MM. As a result the frets are like pancakes (combination of various fret dresses and using between 10's & 11's). So I don't play it much these days,I'm scared that a refret will change the sound.

Colin

Not being sarcastic, I just don't know, how would a re-fret change the sound? I believe Morse had his #1 done like 18 times. Again, I personally never heard that, I was wondering if you heard that or read that somewhere.

 

[Colin]

Well, not refretting the guitar means it will eventually become unplayable. SO, you'll have to either refret or retire the guitar.

I had to retire it, to slow the aging process down

 

[blackspy]

A refret, using the exact same fret material shouldn't change the sound of the guitar. It could make it much better to play though, and help tuning/intonation.

 

[tommyindelaware]

I worked out that I'd done over 1000 gigs with my EVH MM. As a result the frets are like pancakes (combination of various fret dresses and using between 10's & 11's). So I don't play it much these days,I'm scared that a refret will change the sound.

Colin

if the refret is done properly.......the change in tone will be insignificant.......very small..if even perceptable......

9's & 10's will also wear pretty much the same on yer frets.
how hard you play....& how low you set yer action........ is much more of a determining factor

 

[Norrin Radd]

if the refret is done properly.......the change in tone will be insignificant.......very small..if even perceptable......

9's & 10's will also wear pretty much the same on yer frets.
how hard you play....& how low you set yer action........ is much more of a determining factor

How so? If your action is lower do you have less or more wear?

 

[tommyindelaware]

fret wear is not only from the fretted notes ...but the strings contacting the the frets at the time you pick or strum......
ever notice how the wear (or piting) all along the 3rd string down around the first to 7th fret is more pronounced ???? thats because that small innocent little looking g string that is actually the slinkyist string is always getting knocked into the frets from strumming & picking. because it's so loose..it's got a wider vibration field.....which allows it to hit the frets eaiser when playing.....