I am a fan of 6105 wire, thats what Ive had on my CS ‘57 and CS 10/56 also in fiesta red. After playing the frets on my Billy Bo, those frets are like toothpicks, I figure I can adjust to anything. I just grab whatever it is if its dressed well and play it. On 7.25 I do have a “fall” on the frets done from 10th fret up, just a light hair cut, and crown. That kid of give the feel of a vintage 7.25-9.5 compound radius feel, you can get a lower action, 2 step bends or more. Thats all I do if that. Im glad you’re happy with your guitar now with the frets. Im just going to play mine in. They will settle in wear down, eventually it will get frets but, they are really good stock. Im just playing it stock. They do the job.
@@justincodyfoxYou know, the more time I spend with my 73 strat and even my 72 thinline, the more the 61 feels flat and wide. It doesnt feel like a 1.65 and 7.25 radius. I seriously compared it to my Gibsons, and it feels flatter and wider. All of these AVRIs say vintage tall frets, but putting the necks side by side, the 61 frets are absolutely tiny, and there is no radius with these frets. Did the larger frets made the fret board and radius and profile feel more round and C shaped? The more time I spend with it, the more I dont like it and I think I changed my mind. But my others seem totally fine. Did taller frets round it all out a lot more? It feels so flat and wide and its strange. Im sorry I spoke too soon.
@@simonsmith2642 The taller frets definitely made it feel rounder and I can really dig into my bends. A lot of that is due to the excellent fret job and setup by Shep Guitars though.
Awesome vid. I personally love the vintage style frets but I get different strokes for different folks. I notice your luthier mentioned rolling the fingerboard. It’s funny he mentioned it. These are supposed to be slightly rolled from factory- but all the examples I’ve felt from the factory had pretty abrupt edges. Great playing. Great tone. Beautiful strat. And great job to Shep! The fret ends look perfect.
@@erickmo1188 thanks for checking out the video! Yeah the edges where not very rolled from the factory and the stock frets were very nice though. I just need a little more!! Cheers!
The Fender Stratocaster Ultra series has the best rolled frets and neck setup I've ever seen on any guitar. They are set up perfectly straight from the factory. This is the only guitar these days that I would highly recommend without any hesitation. These guitars range in price from about $1,900 to $2,500, and they are worth every penny.
Hey man great playing! I wanted to do the same thing, love the neck on this guitar and the round fingerboard is comfortable for thumb-over playing. The frets are too small which made bends difficult, but changing the frets on a new guitar was a hard pill to swallow for me initially. Reconsidering it now haha
I have a vintage guitar I had re-fretted with SS; however, I kept the small size. The real lesson here isn't bigger is better, it's don't be afraid to get a fret job done if it serves a need- personal taste or replace worn out frets. Nice guitar~!
To each their own but the smaller the frets, the better, same with 7.25 radius. This is the guitar that got me into thin necks. My friend has a 61 Jazzmaster and the neck is out of this world, and the 61 Stratocaster feels practically identical. I didn’t realize a thin neck could have such a nuanced shape.
Over the last 30+ years, I have passed on some amazing guitars because the frets weren't right. I've finally realized that if the guitar is great, buy it and just factor in frets asap.
@@justincodyfox a great luthier is key. I have a great person and I moved, so just send them in the mail. Change is hard…lol. Use those new frets in good health.
I never understood players who avoid certain specs - all my guitars have been vastly different from each other. Do you think professional players let specs stop them? Like a session musician who can’t use the studio guitar because they can’t play on the frets?
I have the same model, same colour, & I have zero issues with it. That said, I’m a lot older than you & I like narrow tall frets & 7.25 radius. Mine is one of the first issues. Many people have complained about QC issues, but mine came spot on.
@@justincodyfox In 1961 my Father took me to see the Cliff Richard film The Young Ones. I made him take me twice more, just to watch Hank Marvin play a Fiesta Red Strat. Hank’s noted for Maple, but in the film it’s a Rosewood fretboard. I even bought the vynil soundtrack album, which I still have. Consider the subject of this UA-cam video &, I’m now 72. Believe me, there’s absolutely no hope 😂🎸
I have the same guitar and was thinking the same before i got it "maybe I'm gonna have to change the frets". Somehow i don't find the frets bad at all, banding is very easy, the frets are polished very good, they are staying for now and i have to say, the guitar is very very good, it resonates and sustains incredible and sounds amazing, mine it also staying for very long time!
Came here for some extreme workshop shots of fret slots being sawn out, divoted frets and lots and lots of masking tape. Well, there was none of that but some seriously good pkaying! Very lovely!! The "Strat" I want, The Big F is NEVER going to make, not even at their Mod Shop. So yes, if you need frets they won't give, what are the options? I do incidentally really like the Vintage II '61 and could be tempted with a set of single coils if the price is right! So please don't think of this as saying anything bad! Enjoy your new guitar!
@@justincodyfoxCrazy ideas give rise to more, I guess? 😅 I have a "thing" for Schecters and Jacksons so I want the mod-cons like graphite stability rods, compound radius, and jumbo frets LOL. And locking tuners. Then it needs nitro 😂 Gosh, I can be difficult.
Great playing. I don’t know why so many guitars ship with small frets. I find them unplayable. I saw a channel discussing how vintage frets were superior because you could “feel the fingerboard under your fingers” which is just totally wrong. The woods job is to hold the frets. If you come into contact with the wood it’s in the way. I recently bought a Les Paul with “medium jumbo” frets that are nearly flat and those are going to have to go as soon as I can afford the work.
I have a Squier Jim Root Tele that came with bigger frets, and when I refretted my other Tele I went with medium jumbo. I find them much better than skinny frets.
Once I bought a custom shop 62 strat. After a few months I had to change the fretboard radius and frets. I put 12 radius and medium jumbo frets. It was 100% better. No regrets.
@@justincodyfox There are too many people who think they are making an investment by purchasing a musical instrument. Their obsession is to resell while making money or losing as little as possible. An instrument is made to play! For this it must be to the musician's convenience. I ended up making my own guitars and making some for friends. Nothing like a non-standard, unique instrument, created for you...
Slightly Different tone too, more fret against the string.. Stevie Ray played jumbos if im not mistaken. I play a lot of chords and never been quite as comfortable on jumbos or vintage frets , anything in between seems right.
Tall frets require less pressure to play, and you get so much more control of the string. I first tried them in the 80s, and I knew immediately, they were so right for me. I've since had them installed in all of my guitars. For me, there's no going back to stock frets . . .
Great playing. I got one of these about 6 months ago and it is just inspiring to play. My only issue is the same problem you had with the high e fretting out in the 15 - 17 range. I've been trying to figure out what I want to do to deal with it - maybe get it plek'd or re-radiused to a 9.5. You found get the jumbo frets and good setup by a luthier solved this problem for you?
I have the same guitar and I really have problems bending the high e string around the 14th fret. I got told it was due to the 7,25" radius. I just wondered how different frets change the bending ability and what action your strings are? My high e string is at a height of 1.5 mm.
Funny how people seem to, er, fret, over frets these days. I honestly couldn't tell anyone the size of frets on any of my guitars whether that's vintage Gibsons, reissue Fenders with 7.25" radius or anything in between. Never had a problem bending strings beyond a full tone with any fretting out. It's all in the set up, never bothered me what fret size is on there.
Of course, excellent fretwork makes all the difference in how a guitar plays. I would prefer to have a $700 guitar with great fretwork rather than a $5,000 Gibson Les Paul with garbage frets. The process of achieving perfectly done frets has always seemed like a mysterious art, and obviously, the person you went to knew what he was doing. By the way, I think your guitar playing is really phenomenal!
I’ve installed narrow tall (I think it’s 6105, not sure) it completely transformed my fender AVRI 62. It had these shy vintage frets. Now it sounds like an SRV Strat, super strong and metallic and totally punchy, maybe even too much for me
@@gerrykeijlard4475 I know what you mean about fret size. I’m visiting abroad. And re fret is pretty cheap here, so I tried three types of frets, I’m like you. I wasn’t sure which size. I’ve installed 6100 Dunlop. I feel these are too big. Narrow tall I think it’s Dunlop 6105. They’re less metallic, but still are. You get an aggressive SRV sound with them. Even with the original pickups There’s always the fender medium jumbo. Those are more similar to vintage frets, they do t change the sound like the 6105, but will feel easier to play I have two more guitars to refret, I’m not sure which to put. Maybe the med jumbo. Definitely not the 6100
@@thomasallar169 Hey! Thanks for watching. I'm using a 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb in this video. If you get a Blues Deluxe I would suggest the Mojotone Greyhound for a great speaker swap!!
Hi Justin. Nice playing and very informative video. I just bought myself exactly the same guitar and color. I love the guitar but not the frets. I find them to be thin and "sharp" in the edges and not that easy for bending. So I'm condidering to let a good luthier here in the Netherlands put in other frets. Question though. Why did you specificaly choose for these frets ? Did you have any doubts while choosing ? e.g Medium Jumbo's ? And why Jescar ? Thanks for your assistance. All the best Gerry
@@gerrykeijlard4475 Gary, thanks for watching the video! I chose Jescar because I had previous experience with them versus Dunlop and a few other manufacturers. The Jescar frets seem to last a bit longer for me and they have a lot of sizes to choose from. I went with a 550950 because I love a really tall fret with a vintage look. They also level out nicely with lots of material for that. I hope this helps!
@@gerrykeijlard4475 yes I have those on my 1962 Fender Stratocaster. They are great!! Just a little more skinny in width so they look even more vintage.
Last question. Do you know which size or type are the original frets ? As some say these are 6105’s which is hard to believe. Fender is saying Vintage tall. Cant find these type. Tks again
@@ScareDe2 to me they make it sound a bit more drippy and smooth. Not because of the frets themselves but because I'm able to play more effortlessly on them. Overall the tone is really no different
@@timetraveler_0 well the height is only 43 or 47. They don't specify. The frets I went with are 55 tall. Much higher fret and a bit wider too at 95 width. A lot more to dig into.
@@justincodyfox Come on now, can you really hear a difference in the tone of the guitar based on whether the frets are nickel or steel? Eric Johnson swears that he can hear differences in how his pedals sound depending on what brand of battery he sticks in them..............
Why would anyone seek out a period specific guitar to then change something so fundamental (and expensive!) because they don't like how it is in that period?
@@iancurrie8844 because I want the aesthetic of the aged clay dots, the nice dark board and the Fiesta red finish. But I don't want to order a custom shop. Also, I love the pickups they did for this run of guitars. The plastics the hardware everything is. Correct which is the aesthetic that I like. But I need bigger frets
@@glenlapwing8468 the fret job was not very expensive. A new neck is over $600 now and I didn't want anymore Warmoth or Musikraft partscasters. I have a few. I wanted the neck that was on this guitar but with bigger frets.
I feel like if Fender made a “Pro Touring Series” for both American and Mexican models that came with super jumbo stainless frets they would be hot sellers…don’t you agree?
Yes. Frets are too small. Radius is too 7.25!! Fender is just SO clueless. They had it close with the American Original Series just before this: at least the radius was 9.5. But they still had skinny frets. I mean. They get close to getting it right; then fumble the ball back in the other direction. Gotta wonder who is running that show ... They at least ought to offer these guitars with the option of TWO DIFFERENT NECKS! Hello?
I'll start the comment without having watched it, and then I'll edit the comment after I've seen the video. Because I'm going to guess. I have the same guitar, and I'm going to get it new frets because they put these YUGE shoulders on it and robbed both E strings of about half their real estate. My low E doesn't even ring out right, those shoulders are so far onto the fretboard that they're messing up playability. I have the AV2 '51 Tele, and they didn't do the shoulders. Just this one. But I watched this dude play one who has a real 61, he did an A/B but before getting out his 61 he played the AV2 and immediately slipped his high E off the end. So now I'll watch, and if I come back and edit, it's only because I guessed wrong. *edit: oh is that all. LOL I just got used to them I guess, going from my pro2 to the av2 all I noticed was the new 7.25" radius, which I adore by the way.
I 0layed one of these they are big and heavy the neck is so thick and the entire body is so thick in lacquer it felt like a big fat chick with heavy makeup. The Vinterra felt better if you are looking for a vintage type.
Learn how to level frets and work on your own guitar, it's not that hard and 99.9% of guitars need a fret leveling off the shelf so it'll come in handy. I don't know why companies don't spend more time on the most important part of putting a guitar together.
You are right about guitar manufacturers not putting enough attention on the frets and boards. They could make SO much difference on how lower to middle price range guitars feel to their customers.
@@BeeRumblin13 I like nitro and vintage aesthetics. Almost every famous strat player in history put bigger frets on their strat. It's nothing new or outrageous.
All this reissue crap. They are not reissues. Just a new guitar made to look like the old one. Had the 62, nothing special. Finally just got a Suhr. All problems solved.
Awesome playing Awesome Tone ❤ 🔥
@@massimos6863 thank you!!
I am a fan of 6105 wire, thats what Ive had on my CS ‘57 and CS 10/56 also in fiesta red. After playing the frets on my Billy Bo, those frets are like toothpicks, I figure I can adjust to anything. I just grab whatever it is if its dressed well and play it. On 7.25 I do have a “fall” on the frets done from 10th fret up, just a light hair cut, and crown. That kid of give the feel of a vintage 7.25-9.5 compound radius feel, you can get a lower action, 2 step bends or more. Thats all I do if that. Im glad you’re happy with your guitar now with the frets. Im just going to play mine in. They will settle in wear down, eventually it will get frets but, they are really good stock. Im just playing it stock. They do the job.
@@simonsmith2642 thanks for checking out the video! Play on my friend!
@@justincodyfoxYou know, the more time I spend with my 73 strat and even my 72 thinline, the more the 61 feels flat and wide. It doesnt feel like a 1.65 and 7.25 radius. I seriously compared it to my Gibsons, and it feels flatter and wider. All of these AVRIs say vintage tall frets, but putting the necks side by side, the 61 frets are absolutely tiny, and there is no radius with these frets. Did the larger frets made the fret board and radius and profile feel more round and C shaped? The more time I spend with it, the more I dont like it and I think I changed my mind. But my others seem totally fine. Did taller frets round it all out a lot more? It feels so flat and wide and its strange. Im sorry I spoke too soon.
@@simonsmith2642 The taller frets definitely made it feel rounder and I can really dig into my bends. A lot of that is due to the excellent fret job and setup by Shep Guitars though.
Im totally with you, I would do the exact same thing If I found a Vintage II I liked alot.
@@Paul-D thanks man! Yeah I really dig the guitar a lot and I couldn't be happier with the fret work
Shep’s fretwork is amazing!
@@TommyBrothers75 absolutely!! 💯
Resonance is outstanding ever since the classic series 60s.
you're insane man! nice playing
@@lbguitar thanks for checking it out!!! I appreciate it
Awesome vid. I personally love the vintage style frets but I get different strokes for different folks. I notice your luthier mentioned rolling the fingerboard. It’s funny he mentioned it. These are supposed to be slightly rolled from factory- but all the examples I’ve felt from the factory had pretty abrupt edges. Great playing. Great tone. Beautiful strat. And great job to Shep! The fret ends look perfect.
@@erickmo1188 thanks for checking out the video! Yeah the edges where not very rolled from the factory and the stock frets were very nice though. I just need a little more!! Cheers!
Love the glove, great video, keep it up.
@@danieldresher5045 Thanks!
The Fender Stratocaster Ultra series has the best rolled frets and neck setup I've ever seen on any guitar. They are set up perfectly straight from the factory. This is the only guitar these days that I would highly recommend without any hesitation. These guitars range in price from about $1,900 to $2,500, and they are worth every penny.
Hey man great playing! I wanted to do the same thing, love the neck on this guitar and the round fingerboard is comfortable for thumb-over playing. The frets are too small which made bends difficult, but changing the frets on a new guitar was a hard pill to swallow for me initially. Reconsidering it now haha
@@louisxue3292 thanks for watching! It completely made me fall in love with this guitar.
I have a vintage guitar I had re-fretted with SS; however, I kept the small size. The real lesson here isn't bigger is better, it's don't be afraid to get a fret job done if it serves a need- personal taste or replace worn out frets. Nice guitar~!
@@seanrosedotcom Absolutely! It's all about fitting the guitar to what feels the most comfortable to you as a player
Top notch brother. 🙂
@@Joe-mz6dc Thanks!!
To each their own but the smaller the frets, the better, same with 7.25 radius. This is the guitar that got me into thin necks. My friend has a 61 Jazzmaster and the neck is out of this world, and the 61 Stratocaster feels practically identical. I didn’t realize a thin neck could have such a nuanced shape.
@@starshineraiser6729 thanks for watching!!
@ of course, great video, thank you.
Over the last 30+ years, I have passed on some amazing guitars because the frets weren't right. I've finally realized that if the guitar is great, buy it and just factor in frets asap.
@@LaMarrBrewster absolutely! I've done the same thing. Once you find a quality Luthier all of your favorite guitars become even better!
@@justincodyfox a great luthier is key. I have a great person and I moved, so just send them in the mail. Change is hard…lol. Use those new frets in good health.
@@LaMarrBrewster Thanks man!! Rock on
I’ve a problem where I live finding someone to do this, is there anyone who
Is a professional luthier near Bandon Oregon?
I never understood players who avoid certain specs - all my guitars have been vastly different from each other. Do you think professional players let specs stop them? Like a session musician who can’t use the studio guitar because they can’t play on the frets?
I have the same model, same colour, & I have zero issues with it. That said, I’m a lot older than you & I like narrow tall frets & 7.25 radius. Mine is one of the first issues. Many people have complained about QC issues, but mine came spot on.
@@denbodg9311 It came from the factory with excellent fit and finish. I'm just an aggressive player and like my guitars suited to that.
@@justincodyfox I’m a strataholic. I have 4, the ‘61 AV2, a 1982 ‘57 AVRI, a 2012 ‘62 AVRI, & a 2022 Pro 2. I honestly can’t say which I like best.
@@denbodg9311 I'm in the same boat. Currently sitting at 10! 😂 What's wrong with us?
@@justincodyfox In 1961 my Father took me to see the Cliff Richard film The Young Ones. I made him take me twice more, just to watch Hank Marvin play a Fiesta Red Strat. Hank’s noted for Maple, but in the film it’s a Rosewood fretboard. I even bought the vynil soundtrack album, which I still have. Consider the subject of this UA-cam video &, I’m now 72. Believe me, there’s absolutely no hope 😂🎸
@@denbodg9311 that's awesome!
P.S. Compliments on your playing. You are excellent. Rock on.
@@Dragon_rls thank you so much!!
I have the same guitar and was thinking the same before i got it "maybe I'm gonna have to change the frets". Somehow i don't find the frets bad at all, banding is very easy, the frets are polished very good, they are staying for now and i have to say, the guitar is very very good, it resonates and sustains incredible and sounds amazing, mine it also staying for very long time!
@@duskonaumovski8483 that's awesome man! I debated for quite a while on keeping the stock frets. They are just great guitars all around
wish I could do the same on my American original 50s, great guitar but not the frets that i like. I loved what you did.
@@harsanj6281 Man, it made me love that guitar so much more. Totally worth it!! Thanks for watching!
Came here for some extreme workshop shots of fret slots being sawn out, divoted frets and lots and lots of masking tape. Well, there was none of that but some seriously good pkaying! Very lovely!!
The "Strat" I want, The Big F is NEVER going to make, not even at their Mod Shop. So yes, if you need frets they won't give, what are the options? I do incidentally really like the Vintage II '61 and could be tempted with a set of single coils if the price is right! So please don't think of this as saying anything bad! Enjoy your new guitar!
@@strumminronin thanks! I'm in agreement with you? The tempting features make ideas bloom
@@justincodyfoxCrazy ideas give rise to more, I guess? 😅
I have a "thing" for Schecters and Jacksons so I want the mod-cons like graphite stability rods, compound radius, and jumbo frets LOL. And locking tuners. Then it needs nitro 😂
Gosh, I can be difficult.
lovely playing. subbed
@@Dam-oH thanks!!
What great guitar sound. Fantastic.
@@mdmarkle thank you very much!!
I got one in 3 tone sunburst and did the same thing and that guitar makes me sound better than I really am
@@josephvega3763 that's awesome man! Thanks for watching!
Great playing.
I don’t know why so many guitars ship with small frets. I find them unplayable.
I saw a channel discussing how vintage frets were superior because you could “feel the fingerboard under your fingers” which is just totally wrong. The woods job is to hold the frets. If you come into contact with the wood it’s in the way.
I recently bought a Les Paul with “medium jumbo” frets that are nearly flat and those are going to have to go as soon as I can afford the work.
@@kevycanavan thanks for checking it out! Rock on big fret brother!
As a legato style player, bigger frets like 6100's are the only way to go.
Man great playing!
@@MatthewScottmusic Thanks man! I really appreciate it!
Nice playing.
@@bradconklin2878 thanks for checking it out!
Stop searching! You sound great on anything you play man!
@@geralddoyle5131 thanks so much!!
Ive the same model in sunburst and have been debating stainless steel jescar frets. 😊
@@vhsreclaimed1998 stainless would be awesome! Thanks for watching
I have a Squier Jim Root Tele that came with bigger frets, and when I refretted my other Tele I went with medium jumbo. I find them much better than skinny frets.
@@1man1guitarletsgo those are great guitars! Glad the frets got you rockin
Killer tone so those were 6100s great tone
@@MichaelGonzalez-i5u thanks for watching
After the refret the guitar sounds better. More smooth.
@@chocolatecookie8571 thanks for checking it out! I agree as well. All around smoother and better
Once I bought a custom shop 62 strat. After a few months I had to change the fretboard radius and frets. I put 12 radius and medium jumbo frets. It was 100% better. No regrets.
@@danielbarbieri8199 Heck yeah! Make it your own!
@@justincodyfox
There are too many people who think they are making an investment by purchasing a musical instrument. Their obsession is to resell while making money or losing as little as possible. An instrument is made to play! For this it must be to the musician's convenience. I ended up making my own guitars and making some for friends. Nothing like a non-standard, unique instrument, created for you...
@@danielbarbieri8199 made to play man!! Absolutely
@@danielbarbieri8199 that´s Right. I Build Guitars to , to much Kompromisses in stock guitars for me.
I found the same thing with that guitar, frets were too small. It has a nice glassy sound, love those pickups.
@@glennbucc7107 thanks!!! Love the smooth new frets
Slightly Different tone too, more fret against the string.. Stevie Ray played jumbos if im not mistaken.
I play a lot of chords and never been quite as comfortable on jumbos or vintage frets , anything in between seems right.
@@Gevin5 thanks for checking out the video!
25.5" scale with short frets is a drag. Jumbo frets really make a strat so much better.
@@McFlyGuitarsandStuff absolutely!
Tall frets require less pressure to play, and you get so much more control of the string. I first tried them in the 80s, and I knew immediately, they were so right for me. I've since had them installed in all of my guitars. For me, there's no going back to stock frets . . .
@@rigelloar7474 Absolutely! No going back!
Great playing. I got one of these about 6 months ago and it is just inspiring to play. My only issue is the same problem you had with the high e fretting out in the 15 - 17 range. I've been trying to figure out what I want to do to deal with it - maybe get it plek'd or re-radiused to a 9.5. You found get the jumbo frets and good setup by a luthier solved this problem for you?
@@blackfrancis33 yeah it's perfect now. No fret out at all. I bet a plek would do the same thing if you like the fret size already
@@justincodyfox Thank you. That's a big help. Much appreciated!
I have the same guitar and I really have problems bending the high e string around the 14th fret. I got told it was due to the 7,25" radius. I just wondered how different frets change the bending ability and what action your strings are? My high e string is at a height of 1.5 mm.
@@StefanRitter-j3l With the bigger frets and David's outstanding finish work I have pretty low action with full bends. No issues there at all now.
Funny how people seem to, er, fret, over frets these days. I honestly couldn't tell anyone the size of frets on any of my guitars whether that's vintage Gibsons, reissue Fenders with 7.25" radius or anything in between. Never had a problem bending strings beyond a full tone with any fretting out. It's all in the set up, never bothered me what fret size is on there.
Same.
Owning a guitar with jumbo frets is usually what get people thinking about frets more as a spe
Shep's fretwork is incredible, and that thing sounds great. Do you go for big frets on your Gibsons too, or is that just for Fender stuff?
@@Guitardan Truth! I have a few Gibson's with Jumbo's but most I just use the stock frets.
What difference do jumbo frets make serious question?
@@alanwarren4587 so for me they just make bending notes much easier and I can play aggressively and fast with less effort as well.
SICK!
@@worthweaver9429 ahhh yeah
Beautiful guitar & great playing! Did you keep the 7.25” radius?
@@tonyhills2112 thanks! I did keep the radius for the most part. Just leveled by a great Luthier though
Of course, excellent fretwork makes all the difference in how a guitar plays. I would prefer to have a $700 guitar with great fretwork rather than a $5,000 Gibson Les Paul with garbage frets. The process of achieving perfectly done frets has always seemed like a mysterious art, and obviously, the person you went to knew what he was doing.
By the way, I think your guitar playing is really phenomenal!
@@PhillipLipton thanks so much! David is a very gifted Luthier. And you are correct on the feel being everything!
If Fender shipped all their guitars with proper fretwork it would drastically reduce most complaints and returns.
That is correct! Thanks for watching!
How did you know you preferred jumbo frets? I presume you have other Stratocasters ?
@@alanwarren4587 thanks for watching! Yes I have 8 other strats. Most with true jumbos! Love them!
I’ve installed narrow tall (I think it’s 6105, not sure) it completely transformed my fender AVRI 62. It had these shy vintage frets. Now it sounds like an SRV Strat, super strong and metallic and totally punchy, maybe even too much for me
I also want to refret my AVRI 62. But very in doubt which frets to go for ..
@@gerrykeijlard4475 I know what you mean about fret size. I’m visiting abroad. And re fret is pretty cheap here, so I tried three types of frets, I’m like you. I wasn’t sure which size. I’ve installed 6100 Dunlop. I feel these are too big. Narrow tall I think it’s Dunlop 6105. They’re less metallic, but still are. You get an aggressive SRV sound with them. Even with the original pickups
There’s always the fender medium jumbo. Those are more similar to vintage frets, they do t change the sound like the 6105, but will feel easier to play
I have two more guitars to refret, I’m not sure which to put. Maybe the med jumbo. Definitely not the 6100
Is that a blues deluxe you’re playing out of?? I wanna buy the reissue- everyone tells me you gotta swap out the speaker tho… what you think?
@@thomasallar169 Hey! Thanks for watching. I'm using a 1966 Fender Deluxe Reverb in this video. If you get a Blues Deluxe I would suggest the Mojotone Greyhound for a great speaker swap!!
@ any thoughts on hot rod deluxe? Sounds a bit more glassy clear to me
@@thomasallar169 I think I'm more partial to the blues deluxe. The hotrod deluxe is great too but not quite as sweet tone wise. You are correct
Hi Justin. Nice playing and very informative video. I just bought myself exactly the same guitar and color. I love the guitar but not the frets. I find them to be thin and "sharp" in the edges and not that easy for bending. So I'm condidering to let a good luthier here in the Netherlands put in other frets. Question though. Why did you specificaly choose for these frets ? Did you have any doubts while choosing ? e.g Medium Jumbo's ? And why Jescar ? Thanks for your assistance. All the best Gerry
@@gerrykeijlard4475 Gary, thanks for watching the video! I chose Jescar because I had previous experience with them versus Dunlop and a few other manufacturers. The Jescar frets seem to last a bit longer for me and they have a lot of sizes to choose from. I went with a 550950 because I love a really tall fret with a vintage look. They also level out nicely with lots of material for that. I hope this helps!
Tks. You didnt consider any medium Jumbo’s eg Jeskar 55090 ?
@@gerrykeijlard4475 yes I have those on my 1962 Fender Stratocaster. They are great!! Just a little more skinny in width so they look even more vintage.
Last question. Do you know which size or type are the original frets ? As some say these are 6105’s which is hard to believe. Fender is saying Vintage tall. Cant find these type. Tks again
@@gerrykeijlard4475 I think they are vintage width with a height of 45. Makes sense to me. Slightly taller than a standard AVRI
Man I kinda want to get some jumbos on my AVii 61 with a flatter radius 9.5
Or 12
I love it but I find myself
Not playing it as much.
The bigger frets made mine perfect for me! I didn't even flatten the radius. That would make it even more of a player for sure.
Was it a stainless steel refret or did you nickel silver?
@@kaekayyy2554 I just did nickel for this one. Thanks!
Did you picked up this guitar from which store? I just bought one new from GC and worried about QC issues
@@EzzyR561 I ordered it directly from fender.com
QC was incredible
@@justincodyfox okay. Have you seen or heard any lacquer finish bleeding into the fretboard?
@@EzzyR561 no I didn't see any.
It doesn't sound the same. It sounds much more modern after the fret job. But why not just go with an ultra if that's what you're going for?
@@joshdraghe2403 thanks for watching! The ultra series are great but I prefer a vintage aesthetic and nitro finish. Best of both worlds now!
So the bigger frets removed some of the "twang" tone of that Strat?
@@ScareDe2 to me they make it sound a bit more drippy and smooth. Not because of the frets themselves but because I'm able to play more effortlessly on them. Overall the tone is really no different
How much did that fret job cost?
@@keithpartridge they typically run from around $275-$350 depending on labor. Stainless steel can go north of $400 though.
@@justincodyfox I was thinking it was more like a $1000.
@@keithpartridge I've personally never paid more than $350. That was for a Les Paul.
So, its a 6105 or a narrow tall kinda size!!!
@@anmolatwal if we are talking Dunlop sizes then yes.
The frets on av ii are as tall as Medium Jumbos from fender, but narrowers. Why would you want a thicker fret?
@@timetraveler_0 well the height is only 43 or 47. They don't specify. The frets I went with are 55 tall. Much higher fret and a bit wider too at 95 width. A lot more to dig into.
I've never had a guitar Plek'd. Sweetwater offers that service for about $200. Is it worth it and does it turn out great?
I have a few Plek'd guitars and they are stellar!
@@justincodyfox I had my 61' AVII Fiesta Red plexed from Sweetwater, the feel is stellar.
you mean "I'm getting the frets changed" 😊
@@curtrod yes
Yeah fatter frets rule !
@@malcolmhardwick4258 Indeed!!! Thanks for watching
stainless steel?
@@felipevancini7781 I have a few in stainless but I went nickel for these for a more vintage sound.
@@justincodyfox Come on now, can you really hear a difference in the tone of the guitar based on whether the frets are nickel or steel? Eric Johnson swears that he can hear differences in how his pedals sound depending on what brand of battery he sticks in them..............
@@PhillipLipton In my mind I can hear the difference so maybe that counts 😂
Why would anyone seek out a period specific guitar to then change something so fundamental (and expensive!) because they don't like how it is in that period?
@@iancurrie8844 because I want the aesthetic of the aged clay dots, the nice dark board and the Fiesta red finish. But I don't want to order a custom shop. Also, I love the pickups they did for this run of guitars. The plastics the hardware everything is. Correct which is the aesthetic that I like. But I need bigger frets
@@justincodyfox That's fair.
Why not just buy a new neck with the frets you want? Cheaper than a fret job, unless you do it yourself which is a pain
@@glenlapwing8468 the fret job was not very expensive. A new neck is over $600 now and I didn't want anymore Warmoth or Musikraft partscasters. I have a few. I wanted the neck that was on this guitar but with bigger frets.
Just curious...how much was this entire process?
@@TheNewCatacombs hey thanks for watching! Most of the time a refret is going to run $275-$400 depending on the Luthier and the guitar
I feel like if Fender made a “Pro Touring Series” for both American and Mexican models that came with super jumbo stainless frets they would be hot sellers…don’t you agree?
@@greendayray Yes! They did a run of Hot Rod Reissues that are great. I've got a Sherwood green 62. Stainless would be next level though
I wouldnt but that
@@Ottophilyeah , but you are a john doe , so who cares ?
Couldn't you just order a Custom Shop?
@@thebamfordman For a lot more money yes. I'm under $2500 on this deal. Custom order strat from Fender CS is $3500 and up
Yes. Frets are too small. Radius is too 7.25!! Fender is just SO clueless. They had it close with the American Original Series just before this: at least the radius was 9.5. But they still had skinny frets. I mean. They get close to getting it right; then fumble the ball back in the other direction. Gotta wonder who is running that show ... They at least ought to offer these guitars with the option of TWO DIFFERENT NECKS! Hello?
@@Tonetwisters the Hot Rod 62 reissue was the closest they got. Jumbo frets and a 9.5 radius. That and the EJ strat with rosewood board
@@justincodyfox Great playing, by the way.
I'll start the comment without having watched it, and then I'll edit the comment after I've seen the video. Because I'm going to guess. I have the same guitar, and I'm going to get it new frets because they put these YUGE shoulders on it and robbed both E strings of about half their real estate. My low E doesn't even ring out right, those shoulders are so far onto the fretboard that they're messing up playability. I have the AV2 '51 Tele, and they didn't do the shoulders. Just this one. But I watched this dude play one who has a real 61, he did an A/B but before getting out his 61 he played the AV2 and immediately slipped his high E off the end. So now I'll watch, and if I come back and edit, it's only because I guessed wrong. *edit: oh is that all. LOL I just got used to them I guess, going from my pro2 to the av2 all I noticed was the new 7.25" radius, which I adore by the way.
@@CraigFlowersMusic Yeah man, overall the board and frets were done very well. I just wanted more! Thanks for watching!
I 0layed one of these they are big and heavy the neck is so thick and the entire body is so thick in lacquer it felt like a big fat chick with heavy makeup. The Vinterra felt better if you are looking for a vintage type.
Learn how to level frets and work on your own guitar, it's not that hard and 99.9% of guitars need a fret leveling off the shelf so it'll come in handy. I don't know why companies don't spend more time on the most important part of putting a guitar together.
@@Stratisfied22 that's definitely one of the things I'm actively working on. David is the best though and its hard to match his fretwork for me
You are right about guitar manufacturers not putting enough attention on the frets and boards. They could make SO much difference on how lower to middle price range guitars feel to their customers.
Buys 60's reissue and doesn't like 60's frets lol . Go figure. Put some 80's jumbos on lol .
@@BeeRumblin13 I like nitro and vintage aesthetics. Almost every famous strat player in history put bigger frets on their strat. It's nothing new or outrageous.
All this reissue crap. They are not reissues. Just a new guitar made to look like the old one. Had the 62, nothing special. Finally just got a Suhr. All problems solved.
@@loosingparts6159 thanks for watching!