Question How to tell if JP6 BFR has Stainless Steel frets?

[JohnFul]

I've been told this guitar does and does not have Stainless Steel frets.
Does anyone know what kind of frets it has? They are very smooth to play.

I asked about the DOB:
The serial # is: G55414

"This JP6 BFR was completed on September 18th, 2012. The color is quilt black with the rosewood fingerboard. It was originally sold to Musician's Friend."



Thanks

 

[dave1812]

I believe the Stainless Steel Frets came with the new JP Bridge. The Old Bridge had the Cutout on the High E Side while the new Design goes all the way through.

 

[dave1812]

Old Bridge


New Bridge

 

[JohnFul]

Here is a pic of the bridge.

I believe the Stainless Steel Frets came with the new JP Bridge

According to your information that means this guitar has SS frets.

 

[Bryan]

Wouldn't a magnet tell you?

Magnets attract Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt.

If a magnet doesn't stick, you've got SS frets.

Right?

 

[DrKev]

Wouldn't a magnet tell you?

Magnets attract Iron, Nickel, and Cobalt.

If a magnet doesn't stick, you've got SS frets.

Right?

Nope! Magnet may not be use...

1) The frets on my Silo Special are not ferromagnetic. They may be some grade or other of nickel silver but the nickel alone (which is only weakly ferromagnetic) does not necessarily mean the alloy will attract or be attracted to a magnet.

2) Stainless steel is predominantly made of iron, often with sizeable amounts of nickel too. Some grades of SS are magnetic others almost non-magnetic. It has to do with microstructure as much as it does atomic composition.


The best way to find out is to email customer service with your serial number and ask. Or, you can do a google search and add site:ernieball.com to the end of your search terms. There is an approximate date after which the JPs have stainless frets. I just don't remember what it is.

 

[JohnFul]

I sent an email to customer service. I'll reply back with any info I find for those who are interested.

 

[Lucas LeCompte]

It was made in 2012 so it prolly does have stainless frets.

 

[straycat113]

Kevin why aren't you working with nuclear reactors by now lol. Seriously bro you are =wicked smart!

 

[varjao]

Old Bridge
View attachment 28266

New Bridge
View attachment 28267

I wasn't aware about these 2 bridge models. What are the differences? Only aesthetics or there was an issue with the old model?

 

[DrKev]

With extreme dive bombs the high-E saddle would touch the trem post. Not much of a 'problem', but they fixed it by moving the post sideways.

 

[varjao]

Thanks DrKev

 

[JohnFul]

The frets are confirmed as stainless steel by customer service. They really do feel awesome compared to regular frets imo. Very smooth with less string friction. I've never owned a new guitar with unused polished frets but I'm guessing because these are SS they will feel this good and smooth always. SS FTW