In a way it's some conciliation for me that you wear frets out fast too ! This is another good reason to stick to the 10's. It will encourage you to only use only the left hand pressure required. Yes it is only on my acoustics I wear them out fast, I must play them harder, even with low action. A lighter left hand pressure will not make you play worse probably better. Low action and 10 gauge strings probably will extend fret life on the Ric's. Oh my strings were buzzing already after 2 years, some frets have deep string grooves. I have very strong hands, I squeeze 2 tennis balls daily and have done for years, but I need to only use part of that strength and light gauge strings. Yeah I go through strings because I play 4 to 5 hrs a day, and yes I corrode strings with sweat ( you just gotta wipe them down every time b4 and after use) Guitars are an addiction or just something I've devoted my life to , it's not cheap to buy good guitars, ( my ears cringe if I play a bad one ) however it's one thing to own them but you do spend some $ on maintenance.

Do they make Titanium fret???,,,,what is the hardest metal in the know universe??, coz I think that's what I really need!

Well, JBud, I've just taken the Ric in for a basic set up and the technician has said that some of the frets need to be dressed..........I don't think it's a big job as it hardly costs any more than the basic set up but I was a little bit surprised...although after reading on the forum it seems that it's not too uncommon and nothing much to worry about...hope not anyway

David, If you were able to achieve the action you prefer with no buzzing than you might not need fret dressing. Sometimes to get very low action on a new guitar, some light dressing maybe required. I would really like to know from you if after the pro set up if it feels better!

I purchased a Ric that came with the perfect set up, in fact I have shown the guitar techs and said see the flat neck,,,,,,,that how I like it ,,,that how it's meant to be. Most tech still want to give them a bit more relief. What frets need dressing ,,,,is it around the 5th to 9th fret????

Yeah dressing is not a big job,,,,not refretting! Ouch!

Check out stainless steel frets. More difficult/expensive to install, but will be your last fret job. Most players who actually use them say "they sound" almost the same as typical frets (i.e., not really harsh, too bright). Google to read bunches of info.

Thanks Maxwell. You are correct in suggesting the use of stainless steel fret wire
I had a vintage guitar re fretted with stainless steel frets last year, yes it was expensive, and you are correct no detail in sound was added or gained by using them that I could detect. Yes they will last much longer,,,it was well worth the extra
But thanks for the advice, I wish all good guitars came straight from the factory with SS frets! It's mainly acoustic guitar frets I wear out very fast, I must play my electrics with a softer left hand technique, but still SS fret would even come in handy on the Rickenbacker's. That would perfect a truly fine instrument, nothing would change in the sound department, just the added value of long lasting fret wire Titanium or some other super conglomerate of hard metal will be the next step
Mind you,, timber fret boards, come into play and can need work done on them
Some of mine on old acoustic guitars look pitted, it looks as if a pack of wild horses have stampeded along them, that's me hammering and sliding grappling with my guitar ,, to make it sound like a stamped of wild horses guns going off , dogs barking firecrackers, anything you may hear at a bull ring,,,, their hoof marks are evidence in my rosewood fretboard, that only my steel string flamenco style!
By the way I don't go to bull fights, it's cruel and I detest it, it is the sound and the drama that I use it as a part of my music! I'm basically a vego and own and live on a subtropical nature reserve surrounded by national park! No bovines around here, just music and nature,,,very cool!

Hi JBud,
I'm not technically minded at all and a lot of what I read about set ups, necks, truss rods.. etc, goes straight over my head!... Anyway, I've received the guitar back after the set up and there doesn't seem to be a great deal of difference if I'm honest!!
I sort of think that's a good thing as I'm fairly sure it didn't need too much..just a bit of tweaking here and there.....It plays really nice, the action seems fine and there isn't any buzzing as such....and it sounds superb (the technician said it sounded fantastic)...He mentioned something about the nut...I think it went along the lines of the strings having too much give in them and so he had too tighten that (remember I'm a technical Dummy so I could be misinterpreting what he said/meant)
There is a nice difference with that though..the strings feel tighter and more compact, not as wobbly if you know what I mean, while still retaining their flexability and ease of bending.. He lowered the little polepieces on the pickups as he said he needed to balance the sound of the strings so that one string wouldn't be louder than the other..He did a little bit of fret dressing..He said about the truss rods..He mentioned something about tightening a rod as it was loose..he said a bit more about that but as I said I don't really understand the tech side of things...I have to rely on others...
There seems to be a slight, not so much buzzing, as a little choking on some of the strings when played in certain fret positions, the nearer the right hand gets too the bridge/saddle. For example...when playing a Dsus4th chord (adding the little finger on first string-third fret) it sounds fine but as the strumming hand moves nearer the saddle it sort of chokes just a little....More pronounced when played acoustically.
Now I'm not sure if this is me being too scrupulous as I've had this on electrics before in the past and various pros have looked at them and said that everything was fine...I'll keep an eye on it and may just pop it back in the shop for him too have a quick look at it, which is what he said for me to do anyway if I wasn't sure about something......
My gut instinct is that he has done a good job ( I got the impression that he wouldn't meddle just for the sake of meddling ) and that it is a wonderful guitar...It really has a lovely chime and jangle too it....more so than I had hoped for to be honest ...It feels great to own a guitar like this and I will NEVER get rid of this one ...........By the way it's my 40th Birthday today ( Sept 1st ) lol...This was my present for myself as it is an important birthday and I'm going to take it to an open mic night tonight and possibly have a few drinks as the Mrs has agreed to drive

Massive Happy Birthday David!!!!!!!!!, Yes today is a special day for you. Yes I think your tech did a great job~ Just leave it as is and play it now,,,,let it really settle in!

Your tech must be fine,,,,as he did pick up a few thing like minor fret work, balancing the pickup output and working on the nut slots. Again this is good news as good tech is a must but they are sometimes not easy to find. He sounds like he's is a pro~

I don't what to come across as big brother ....but you take care of yourself and that guitar if you go out tonight,,,,,yes please let your wife drive maybe she should keep her hands on the Ric,,,,She may be the designated Player and driver tonight! You have a good time but please be careful. I've know the Guitar was your 40th present a while now , we all were glad you got a good Ric in your hands
it is a very fitting present for you I'm sure if it! Keep it safe if you take it from home

I made it to'' 50'' so Ive got ''2' ! LOL

Don't put too much emphasis on it's acoustic sound,,,only plugged in.

I think I played your Ric when I was shopping a few months before you (same reason). It was what convinced me that I wanted a Ric rather than a Les Paul this time, and a 6 string rather than a 12. But I wanted a Jetglo so I had to take the Settle-Carlisle up to Glasgow to get one in time. Sound Affects is a good place, though.

I wanted a jetglo as well but the mapleglo looked really nice.......anyway, I've now put down a deposit and waiting for a jetglo 360!! ( costing me a fortune but you only live once and I'm paying it off bit by bit )......................BTW did you get the jetglo?

Certainly did, from Merchant City in Glasgow. OK, I may not have called every single shop but I'm pretty sure there were only a couple left in the country back then.

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