How can I tell if the JP has stainless frets?

[acwild]

I was just at Guitar Center looking at their JPs. While I know that the NAMM announcement of the JP line going to stainless frets was recent, the ones on the wall all had the new bridge. I asked the salesman about it and he had no idea. Is the new bridge a good indicator of being equipped with stainless frets?

 

[Aziah]

No, anything that is currently in stock at stores will not have the stainless steel frets. Anything ORDERED from 1/18/12 and on will come with the new stainless frets. So they will start shipping around mid-March.

 

[acwild]

Thank you very much! One of the guys "confirmed" it as being stainless steel and I wasn't convinced. This saves me some trouble.

 

[Music Man Dan]

Thank you very much! One of the guys "confirmed" it as being stainless steel and I wasn't convinced. This saves me some trouble.

LoL, did the same clerk say something along the lines of "Oh, you'll love this one...I have three of them myself"?

 

[acwild]

LoL, did the same clerk say something along the lines of "Oh, you'll love this one...I have three of them myself"?

Nah, the guy was kind of new there. I felt bad for him just asking to take the JP6 off the wall for me. His eyes were scanning all over the place.

 

[James C]

Kind of on the topic of salesmen being cautious, or hopeing for a big sale like a JP...
I went to a music shop in Vancouver, and they had a BFR locked up in a glass case.
I asked the good fellow if it'd be a hassle to try out, and his reply cracked me up a little bit;
"Hell, you kinda even look like JP, how can I say no to you!"

 

[Spudmurphy]

This thread got me thinking? How the heck do you tell the difference?

I know some forms of Stainless steel is non magnetic but you do get batches of stainless that ARE magnetic - depends on the nickel content.

So here's a challenge - anybody with a JP with SS frets - can the do a "magnet test" on the fret and tell us the results?

 

[Jack FFR1846]

can the do a "magnet test" on the fret and tell us the results?-)

I have a non-MM guitar with stainless frets. I'll check those. I'd think that all stainless frets would be one way or the other.

 

[MikeVt]

Having never had (or played) a guitar with SS frets, I have to ask. If you can't tell the difference, why is everyone drooling about how great they are? Couldn't one just play it and tell the difference?

Mike

 

[acwild]

Having never had (or played) a guitar with SS frets, I have to ask. If you can't tell the difference, why is everyone drooling about how great they are? Couldn't one just play it and tell the difference?

Mike

For me, it's about their durability. I hate fret wear.

 

[yellowv03]

Typically they are shinier and smoother, but on brand new guitars it is hard to tell the difference. Think of SS frets like having brand new frets for years. They are much more durable. They also tend to brighten tone a bit. Personally I could take them or leave them. They are a cool standard feature, but I wouldn't pay extra for them. Well kept nickel silver frets can last 20 years or more.

 

[Music Man Dan]

Ah yes, the old non-magnetic stainless steel. I remember being frustrated when building my big block Chevy with ARP stainless hardware...as much as it looked nice, if I ever dropped anything, I couldn't use my telescoping magnet to pull it out of any unreachable crevises.

 

[Music Man Dan]

Ah yes, the old non-magnetic stainless steel. I remember being frustrated when building my big block Chevy with ARP stainless hardware...as much as it looked nice, if I ever dropped anything, I couldn't use my telescoping magnet to pull it out of any unreachable crevises.

Sorry to go so far off topic there LoL.

 

[MikeVt]

For me, it's about their durability. I hate fret wear.

I see. I've never worn out a set of frets - so for me it sounds like it wouldn't make much difference. Thanks...

Mike