fret dents

[vasilis]

I have an Avalon L32 for almost a year now - I bought it new - and I noticed some slight denting on the first 3 frets under the 1st and 2nd string (high E and B). I was wondering if this is normal for such a short time owing the guitar or should I worry about my playing style? I play fingerstyle (Andy McKee, Don Ross, Michael Hedges stuff) with tapping etc. I don't have any buzzing or intonation problems that could be due to freat wearing. Aren't frets supposed to become noticeably worn after a few years owing a guitar?

[Rick Jones]

Hi Vasalis,
mine are the same, and have been on all guitars I've owned after a year or so of playing. The first three frets are always worst under the B and high E strings.

Until they really affect intonation and/or buzz out it's no big deal. If you do have them dressed or re-crowned the whole fretboard needs to be done, and I'd suggest a good luthier or sending it back to Avalon.

If it's any consolation, my Yamaha Jumbo (it's a handmade custom luthier shop one) is now 8 years old, and I've done probably thousands of gigs, sessions and lessons on it (it was my only guitar for at least 5 years). The frets looked worn/dented after about a year, and I've never had them dressed or replaced, but it still plays ok on those frets but is probably about due now. So you have a while left!

[vasilis]

Hi, Rick
Again, nice to hear from you.
I have another Alvarez acoustic guitar which must be decades old (at least from early 80's) and of course it has many fret dents (on other frets as well) but even that guitar doesn't have much of a problem at playing, (except that it is a low-end guitar)
Thanks for the feedback

[JB]

Hi Vasalis,

Yes, it's pretty normal but can vary on playing styles too and Rick is right, if it doesn't afftect intonation or buzzing don't worry about it, just keep on rockin'

We use a medium hard fretwire on the Hv scale at 18% Nickel Silver but for custom orders we've used all different types of fretwire ... even gold frets for one customer I kid you not !

[vasilis]

Hi JB,
thanks for the input. I've been enjoying my Avalon L32, if I don't play it for a day, I feel my hands itchy.....

[JB]

I know how you feel Vasalis, my own guitar is an L32 and I still think it's the best all round guitar we build, you can throw just about any playing style at it ...

[Rick Jones]

Well I have to agree!
I was lucky that you'd sold the L12 I was originally asking for, because the L32 is a much better 'fit' for me!
The other day it was in it's Hercules stand in my bedroom, in an open D tuning, and my wife made me put it away, because every time I spoke it rang out loads of harmonics!! It's trying to play itself!

[Rick Jones]

Do you ever use stainless for frets JB?
I should imagine it's murder on the tools, but it would probably out last it's owner!

[JB]

Never Rick although we've tested some seriously hard fretwire and part of the problem is the 'springiness', the really really hard fretwire wants to jump out of the fingerboard and having talked with some luthier's who've used say it's more hassle than it's worth and that's not counting the tool wear.

[Rick Jones]

Ah, I see, I suppose the fret has to conform to the radius of the fretboard, and wood does tend to expand and contract....I can just imagine the fret jumping out one day! I thought breaking strings was a hassle!

[Rick Jones]

There's a discussion over on AGF at the moment, with several highly esteemed luthiers (Bruce Sexauer, Howard Klepper, Dennis Kwasnycia and more...) singing the praises of EVO fretwire.

I'm unsure of the properties, but it's supposed to be hard wearing, warmer sounding than stainless and not a pig to work.

May be worth a look?