Question Tool or wall-hanger?

[HybridSlink]

Hi everyone. LOOOOONG time looker, fairly new to posting...I have a question. This is NOT to talk down to anyone, or anything like that. Its a question I have had for ages and thought I would ask simply because I do not know...here goes.
Why are people concerned with certain things like fret wear? I read all the time about oh no, no SS strings for me Im scared of fret wear. Are you playing your instrument to play it like a tool, because it is, or do people buy them just to show off? Im trying to put it into prespective, and trying to put it as respectful as possible. Im just curious. I use mine as a tool and am happy using steels with no wear to speak of, and take comfort in knowing that they can refret if needed.
Thank you much for listening and and help would be great as maybe this is a chance to hear sides from both and understand both sides.

 

[mmbassplayer]

Hybridslink... I will take a shot at this. Some people are just collecting instruments for than playing them. They enjoy finding rare instruments and buying and trading them. On the opposite end, some of the guys here regualrly gig and are less concerned for things like fretwear and dings and such. You are right, an instrument is a tool, just a different kind of tool for different people.

I would fall somewhere in between these two descriptions as i buy and trade basses quite a bit. I do not play in a band and really have no desire to any more. My dreams of being a rockstar have finally been surpassed by those of having a great career. I keep my instruments as nice as i can but i do not string them with flats for fear of fretwear and i ocassionally ding a bass or two when i am playing them. All just part of the game.

As you have noticed everyone is welcomed at this forum. We have both extremes here and we enjoy everyones participation. JOSH

 

[bovinehost]

Why are people concerned with certain things like fret wear? I read all the time about oh no, no SS strings for me Im scared of fret wear.

Really? I don't read that all the time here and I guess you'd have to say I'm a regular around these parts.

Can you point out, oh, ten or fifteen of these "all the time" posts for me? I might have missed them.

 

[HybridSlink]

Sure Bovinehost,
Search for stuff like, Stinless steel strings vs nickel, or Rotosound. They all say the same thing about them eating frets. I also see things like Well, I'd use steel but they eat frets. I was curios why so many people complain about it. I use both Slinkys and Rotos, and have never seen a drastic differance in wear. I was just confused about it because people spend the money for a cool bass and wont play it. The post above yours made alot of since, with out the sarcasm.
Anyhow, my question was answered.

 

[HybridSlink]

By the way, I didnt say it all came from this Site either. I am here instead of Talk---- because I enjoy the people here much better.

 

[HybridSlink]

Sorry Bovine, I wasnt trying to come across as Rude....my bad. Im way to used to Talk----

 

[bassmonkeee]

While I wouldn't say it is an epidemic, I certainly know of the line of reasoning that is being referenced here. It's the old "I use flats on my fretless because of fretboard wear" logic.

I think you'll find more people who feel that a certain amount of wear and tear is expected on an instrument and that proper maintenance is part of the deal.
They also tend not to start threads on the topic.

Strings are like tires on a car, and the fretboard/frets are like your brakes. You change the strings when they need to be changed and you dress the frets (brake pads) when you need to.

Otherwise, you're not driving the bus.



Some people buy them to put in a warehouse, some people buy one and play it to death. And, both of them are right.

 

[bovinehost]

By the way, I didnt say it all came from this Site either. I am here instead of Talk---- because I enjoy the people here much better.

I certainly understand THAT.

Thing is, you hear a lot of stuff on the intertubes. Someone pulls some information out of their behind and suddenly IT'S TRUE BECAUSE IT'S ON THE INTERNET.

Talkbass has a much lower signal to noise ration, which is to be expected given the high percentage of youngsters and newbies to bass and so on. Around here, the amount of "internet lore" is much lower - and way fewer collectors and more people who play the instruments.

I appreciate both places, of course.

 

[syciprider]

I stopped resting my arm on the upper bout because it dulls the finish.

 

[HybridSlink]

Well after hearing many sides of the issue, I can now understand peoples logic behind it. thanks for the input.

 

[silverburst]

You know, I think the way the instrument is played has more of an effect on fret wear than strings do. I have seen guys that really dig in and put more lateral force on the strings, and their fret wear more quickly.

Anyway, new basses are expensive. Some people worry about wearing them out, or making them worth less if they damage them, I guess.

 

[dmarotta]

I love it when my frets are worn cause it shows I have been WORKING!!

 

[Manfloozy]

I am of the same mind as Josh on this one. I love my instruments and appreciate them as works of art, but I do play all (2) of them everyday... and if I really loved the sound of Steels, they would wear Steels.... well maybe not the fretless, but you would have to see the board figuring to understand that fully I think....

So yeah, in the middle on this one....

 

[bovinehost]

I love it when my frets are worn cause it shows I have been WORKING!!

Flats mean never having to say you're sorry.

To your frets, I mean.




BUT before we misinterpret what I'm saying, I don't use flats because I'm scared of rounds "hurting" my frets. I use flats because I like the sound.

 

[Aussie Mark]

I use flats because I like the sound.

That, and the fact they hide my crappy technique.

 

[maddog]

Hi everyone. LOOOOONG time looker, fairly new to posting...I have a question. This is NOT to talk down to anyone, or anything like that. Its a question I have had for ages and thought I would ask simply because I do not know...here goes.
Why are people concerned with certain things like fret wear? I read all the time about oh no, no SS strings for me Im scared of fret wear. Are you playing your instrument to play it like a tool, because it is, or do people buy them just to show off? Im trying to put it into prespective, and trying to put it as respectful as possible. Im just curious. I use mine as a tool and am happy using steels with no wear to speak of, and take comfort in knowing that they can refret if needed.
Thank you much for listening and and help would be great as maybe this is a chance to hear sides from both and understand both sides.

I'm sorry, what's the actual issue here?

 

[Smallmouth_Bass]

I just go with the sound and feel I like best. Some basses have stainless steel and others have nickel. I am not too concerned about fret wear.

 

[Kristopher]

I think it starts with people who want to buy used with a condition as close to new as possible. (See also the crazy prices of pristine vintage instruments vs. refins, beaters, non-original parts, etc.) That validates a value system where unused and unabused > worn out. I think this spreads to how people feel about their own instruments - if it gets worn out it's worth less, basically. And not just monetarily, but as a general 'how do I feel about this bass' sort of way.

Of course there's the people who like the banged-up paint-chipped road-worn instruments, but those are a different lot than the ones the OP is referring to.

 

[Yerf Dog]

“A ship is safe in harbor, but that's not what ships are for.” - William Shedd

 

[keko]

You are right, an instrument is a tool, just a different kind of tool for different people.

Exactly, in 90% of usage for me, ...other 10% is rare home practice for my soul!

I don't care much about fret wear, sometimes at hard long wedding gigs I use to say to my friends musicians from a band: -OK guys let's finish this "saw wood work" and go home!