Will steel strings wear out my nickel frets ?

Yes they will, but slowly. Steel is harder than the nickel-brass alloy used to make regular instrument frets.

Do steel strings wear frets faster?

One of the most significant string materials to be aware of is stainless steel. As we’ve learnt, Stainless Steel is hard and will certainly cause wear to frets made from a softer material such as nickel.

How long do nickel silver frets last?

Nickel silver frets are great for most applications, but they can still wear out over time. Most instruments that are played consistently will need a refret at some point in their lives. In fact, it’s not uncommon for professional players to refret instruments as often as every 12-18 months.

What strings are best for fret wear?

It turns out that the best option for preventing wear on your frets is actually a nylon string. Nylon strings are much softer than other materials, so they don’t put as much pressure on the frets. They also have a very low gauge, which means they don’t wear down the frets as quickly.

Do stainless steel frets wear out strings?

They are the same material and level of hardness, so wear is inevitable. With stainless steel frets though, the wear is reduced. Stainless is much harder than nickel, so it will take longer for the strings to actually wear the frets.

Why are 6105 frets so popular?

The 6105 is a tall fret (almost as tall as the 6000 size) but quite a bit narrower in width. These are great for getting the added pluses of string bendability and a thicker, meatier sound too. Guitarists that do a lot of bending, such as blues and fusion players, should definitely check out these bigger options.

Do steel strings damage frets?

Yes. . .just not any more than new ones. Any play of steel strings vs softer nickel-silver alloy frets will contribute to fret wear. Just because strings are worn doesn’t make that worse. In fact worn strings have high contact points with frets worn down. .

What are the longest lasting frets?

Stainless steel frets are well known for their corrosion resistance and extra long-lasting alloy. It’s an assumption that they almost never wear, which is somewhat true.

What are the hardest guitar frets?

Stainless Steel is just about the hardest type of fretwire you can get, and people who use it say it gives a silkier, smoother feel when playing than does nickel-silver fret wire.

Does bending wear out frets?

The frets will wear out faster when you often use bends on your playing. Each bend damages the frets as they brush over the surface of the fret with the string.

Why do my frets wear so fast?



Every time you press your strings against the frets, the friction between them subtly changes the shape of the frets, causing them to wear out. Over time, this metal-against-metal contact can lead to string rattle and intonation issues. The greatest fret damage is caused by capos—especially under the plain strings.

How long do steel guitar strings last?

about three months

Even so, a seldom-played guitar will quickly acquire rusted strings because of humidity and moisture in the air. The average set of strings played by the average player may last around 90 days (about three months).

Does fast fret make strings last longer?

Fast Fret will also prolong the life of your strings, keeping them free of oxidation; and this product is also very good for your instrument’s wood fretboard. Use this before and after you play and you’ll save wear and tear on your fingers, strings, and instrument!

Do frets wear down over time?



Now, about those frets: You can think about your frets like the tires on your car. They’re a part of your guitar that gets a lot of direct use, and eventually, they’re bound to wear out. They need to be replaced every so often.

How often should you Refret?

Typically, you replace your guitar fret bars (refret) after 20-30 years. Whereas you can perform a fret dressing more often – every 3 years or so. Depending on the wear and performance of the guitar.

How often should frets be leveled?

New frets can usually be leveled once or twice, depending on their height. Some wire, such as Dunlop 6100 or 6105, is very tall, and will accommodate more levelings than shorter wire, such as Dunlop 6130 and 6230.