Bending to pitch concern

[duzie]

So the most recent thing I need to work on is pedal steel type licks.
Am I being insane for being concerned about wearing divots in my frets ?
Would you practice on a guitar that doesn’t get played often?
What’s your thoughts on this?
How do you approach practicing bends without excessive fret wear ?

 

[TubeStack]

I've never given it a second, or even first, thought. I buy guitars to play and practice on, and with that comes some wear.

 

[Humbug]

Frets can be replaced :-)

 

[DrewJD82]

Yes, you are being insane.

 

[norminal]

So the most recent thing I need to work on is pedal steel type licks.
Am I being insane for being concerned about wearing divots in my frets ?
Would you practice on a guitar that doesn’t get played often?
What’s your thoughts on this?
How do you approach practicing bends without excessive fret wear ?

I think you’ll find out that you’ll become an expert at that particular technique way before you wear your frets down from it.

 

[Rock Chalk]

I knew there was a reason I don't practice more.......I'm saving my frets!

j/k

 

[duzie]

I’ve had fits and starts playing guitar over my lifetime with long gaps in between of not playing.
This go around I’ve been playing consistently for almost a decade.
When I began this time I started with a Squier Strat.
Soon after I was consumed with working on SRV style licks and bends.
Months later I noticed some pretty severe divots lol.
Might have been soft frets
Might have been poor gorilla grip technique

 

[Warmart]

Go Stainless, baby!

 

[metropolis_4]

I have to admit, I’ve started doing more of my practice sessions on a guitar with stainless steel frets so I can save the frets on my other guitars for gigs.

I seem to be very hard on frets

 

[TSJMajesty]

I bought a cheap PRS Tremonti SE as a practice guitar many years ago, but I ended up hardly using it for that purpose, since it was a POS.
Since then I bought my first Majesty and I put a shit-ton of hours on that guitar, and the frets are juuussstt starting to show some wear.

But, I have reduced my touch in the past handful of years, so I do feel that's important, as are SS frets. Non-SS frets are gonna wear.

But I certainly wouldn't let it bother you, or change your approach to practicing. Other than making sure your grip is only as hard as it needs to be for the notes to ring clear. Finger strength will help.

 

[la szum]

Your fingers will wear out before your frets.



Sounds like you are having fun with the Tele, Cheech! I was playing
mine last night. Pickin' the Chickin!

 

[duzie]

Your fingers will wear out before your frets.



Sounds like you are having fun with the Tele, Cheech! I was playing
mine last night. Pickin' the Chickin!

I really am Dave !!!
Seems like I’m joining the over the hill gang

 

[la szum]

Me, too, Cheech!

Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks???

We are not just average old dogs, though, are we??

 

[la szum]

What models/amps are you using?

I ask, because I went through a bunch last night on the FM3. '65 Bassman, Deluxe Reverb,
Dr. Z MAZ 38, Trainreck Express, and surprisingly enjoyed the Bogner Blue with the Tele, too.

 

[duzie]

I have no experience with real amps
What I’m using at the moment on my FM3 is
59 Bassguy Bright
Two Stone J35
Band-Commander

 

[DrewJD82]

I’ve definitely worn through some frets on a couple guitars, but I wouldn’t cite it as being caused by any specific technique more than just being heavy handed/time/it’s gonna happen.

I was playing my SZ the other day, fairly small frets on a 19 year old guitar and while I’ve never had any issues with them, I realized how fricken flat they were the other day. My JEM was refretted a few years ago and my MIM Strat I got in ‘95 was pretty much done for, I’m started teaching myself to refret with it but then the divorce put a pause on that and there’s not really space in my apartment to do it.

Anywho, I certainly wouldn’t allow inevitable fret wear to hinder you from bending those notes!

 

[la szum]

Those SZs needed a refret when they were made.

Such great guitars otherwise.

 

[la szum]

I have no experience with real amps
What I’m using at the moment on my FM3 is
59 Bassguy Bright
Two Stone J35
Band-Commander

Sweet! Are you using any kind of Expression Pedal with the FM3? For those cool volume swells??

 

[duzie]

Sweet! Are you using any kind of Expression Pedal with the FM3? For those cool volume swells??

Not yet !!!
Great now I have to research some expression pedals
Any suggestions
FYI
I wear size 14 shoes

 

[TSJMajesty]

Not yet !!!
Great now I have to research some expression pedals
Any suggestions
FYI
I wear size 14 shoes

The Fractal EV1 is fairly large, and beefy.