Do smaller frets give you problems?

[kimonostereo]

I know the answer is to practice more... but I was curious if anyone here have issues with smaller frets?

My warmoth home made strat has 6100 jumbo frets on it. I usually keep that guitar out by the TV and sometimes grab it just to noodle on. I can easily pick every note in a fast run on that guitar but can't do it as cleanly on my Luke.

I know. Just practice more.

 

[guitarp77]

Well, it does take some time to get used to them, specially if you´ve been used to play in larger scales...

I notice I have to practice more specially when I play clean stuff...fingers just mess around frets and you have to "re-teach" your hand how to do it.

But it is a fun thing to do

 

[OU812]

Smaller frets like on an Axis? For me that size is perfect. Also, when playing a guitar with jumbo frets it feels like I'm hitting speed bumps when sliding my finger(s) up or down the neck. Its just whatever you're used to.

 

[jvh]

I'm kinda used to all sizes, but I guess I would say vintage size or tall narrow are harder. I don't know why, but if I play fast on narrow frets my notes aren't as enunciated. I think jumbos allow for more surface area hence most fast players use them in combo with flat radius fretboards. Hope I'm saying this right.

 

[Roubster]

It's really a matter of preference and what you get used to. I've played Silhouettes for many years with the smaller frets and 10" radius so I became really comfortable with that. When I pick up a guitar with huge frets it just feels strange, and I agree it feels like speed bumps hehe. But now I am loving my Y2D which has bigger frets and a 12" radius. Just feels perfect for me.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I have always struggled with tiny fretwire. I think the Axis wire is probably about perfect!

 

[whitestrat]

Yes they do, and it's a case of "practice more", but not in the usual sense of getting used to it. I've found that with lack of practice, when the finger tips get softer, the smaller frets are harder to play as the strings can slip due to a lack of grip. But when there's sufficient playing, and the finger tips are hard, then I find there's no issue with smaller frets.

I used to be able to play the JP6 nicely, and those are medium frets. but when I stopped practicing because of work & school commitments, I found the guitar harder to play. no issues with the JPX though, since it has taller frets.

 

[shredhed]

I don't care for any EVH designed guitar frets. Too tall IMO. But my JP6 and Y2d are perfect. I expect that the Morse is closer to a Fender since that is what Steve used to use. Incidentally I think the neck is real close to a Fender (I assume for the same reason)

The only thing about smaller (standard) wire is that I can't get as many fret levelings out of them - lol

I will say this for the MM fret wire on the 2 that I have. They seem to wear like iron. I don't know what they use, but it holds up well

 

[TNT]

Kimono, it's NOT the fret size!!

You're watching TV so you "think" you're playing cleanly - but you're not - hit the MUTE - you'll see!!!

 

[straycat113]

Great point Lionel and I totally agree!

 

[TSHOW]

If it gets too difficult to play....just Fed Ex it to me.....I will practice on it.......Ha Ha.......Good luck!!!