When Did EBMM Start Using Stainless Steel Frets on Most Models?

[Ted]

Hey I was wondering if anybody could tell the year when EBMM started using stainless steel frets.. particularly on the Albert Lee HH model?

 

[Vadauco]

I don't know about all models, but I do know about the John Petrucci models: the first model with SS frets was the JPXI in January 2011. In January 2012, then SS frets became standard for all JP models. Reference for this info.

 

[Iperfungus]

I'm not sure if my 2019 Luke III has stainless steel frets...

 

[NickNihil]

Customer service could probably give you more accurate info if you haven't yet tried but everything I've seen seems look like around 2019 they started moving to standardize it.

 

[Stratty316]

Hey I was wondering if anybody could tell the year when EBMM started using stainless steel frets.. particularly on the Albert Lee HH model?

The Albert Lee HH doesn't have stainless steel frets on the "standard" offerings. The Pinkburst in the vault and a lot of the BFR offerings so have them.

 

[morsecode]

The Albert Lee HH doesn't have stainless steel frets on the "standard" offerings. The Pinkburst in the vault and a lot of the BFR offerings so have them.

The website shows that the standard Albert Lee models come with stainless steel frets.

 

[BartNL]

Does the Grapes of Wrath have stainless steel frets from fabric?

 

[DrKev]

I'll see what I can find out from the people who know.

 

[Ted]

I'm still a little curious to see what the answer is, if anyone can find out-- but the reason I asked was because I saw that listing for the used 2011 Albert Lee (which I ended up buying anyway) and I wasn't 100% sure what kind of fret material it would have. Now I have deduced that they are the standard nickel frets. I have really gotten spoiled on stainless steel frets so I was thinking nickel frets might not feel as good to me. And I thought maybe for a 2011 guitar, nickel frets might have some wear on them.

But the nickel frets on mine are pretty smooth and they feel great. Almost zero wear. Maybe I do notice a slight difference in bending notes-- not quite the extra glassy feel of stainless but not a huge deal.

I do like that more and more companies are going to the stainless. No complaints from me about that.

 

[Stratty316]

The website shows that the standard Albert Lee models come with stainless steel frets.

Sorry, looks like that has been updated on the website then. The Green HH in the Vault and the Silver SSS in the vault don't state SS Frets. The Pink one does.