Does anyone NOT like banjo style frets?

[patsites]

I've noticed that most everyone who has a mando with banjo style or wider frets likes them. Does anyone have anything negative to say about them?

I currently play a Morgan Monroe MCM-CB and have had it re-freted twice now, but want to try this latest phenom of banjo frets.

I've only played a mando or two with them and they felt very comfortable and played like my fingers were in butter. But I did notice that the mando's weren't very loud and didn't have much punch, it could have been the mandolins, or maybe the frets. One was a breedlove A style that I recall.

Can anyone shed some light on this? I'm positive that I will find my mando easier to play, but I'm concerned about losing volume or tonal qualities. I'm also concerned that if I don't like them, I'll be stuck with them for awhile because I can't justify back to back full neck fret jobs.

Thanks for any help or suggestions

[ShaneJ]

I like the larger frets for the added height. For me, it's easier to get a clean note fretted on a little taller fret. I don't really think that the width does anything for me, but it doesn't hurt, I guess. I am certainly no expert, but I wouldn't think that fret size would affect a mando's volume or tone. I'd be interested to learn about it if someone knows how it does though.

[steve in tampa]

I've got 5 different mandolins, and the one with wider frets is easier and more comfortable to play.

[SternART]

I've found that regular mandolin frets work better for me, especially up the neck when the intervals become smaller.
They come regular mando size on Gils, Monty's etc......But Hey.....YMMV........probably a personal thing. Bigger ones definitely last longer if you press really hard with your left hand.

[Big Joe]

I hate the bigger frets. I don't think they intonate as well. HOwever, different strokes..er..frets for different folks.

[Ken Sager]

I hate the bigger frets. #I don't think they intonate as well. #HOwever, different strokes..er..frets for different folks.
I think Joe just presented the least subjective reason for choosing ANY size fret. I hadn't heard anyone suggest this before, but now that I think about it I can see how intonation might be affected, especially as frets wear.

Otherwise, it's really a preference thing. I have a '21 Gibson A with teeny bar frets that plays like a dream. I wouldn't consider putting banjo fretwire on it. On the other hand, my Collings and Pomeroy have large fret wire (banjo or bigger) and I can't imagine either of them with the small mandolin bar frets.

There you go.

Joy to all,
Ken

[Steven]

I hate,hate,HATE,these banjo frets and will not ever buy a mando with them again.They hurt my finger tips big time,stop and think a moment,when you apply your finger to the string to fret these tall wires, when the string hits the wire your finger tip on each side of the string is up off the fretboard with no support.I play alot and even with major calouses the stress on my fingers and hand is much more than with the normal size frets of my Morgan Monroe...or any other mando with normal frets size.I cant get the action down where I want because of them and they really complicate things when I play up the neck because the strings are even higher there,my 4th finger has to work hard enough thank you.I would much rather refret on a yearly basis than have to go thrue this.It annoys me,afterall whose bright idea was this?Banjo fret wire is for BANJOS.I have heard the banjo frets make for a louder,with more sustain mando but if you cant play the foolish thing what good are the pluses?Everyone is different I guess,if you like them thats great.

[patsites]

Well, that settles it. I'm going to record my mando prior to the fret job with my existing normal mando size frets. Then I'm going to have it re-fretted with banjo-style frets and then play the same song and re-record under the same variables, same mic, same pick, same everything, and then I'll compare the two.

Regardless of playability (which I think will be better, I hope), I should be able to find out if tone and volume are factors.

I'll figure this out once and for all........ at least for my mandolin. The rest of you will still be on your own.

If I hate them, I'm just going to live with them until I can afford the Gibson F5-G I want.

[onlyagibsonisgoodenuff]

I love banjo style frets on my Granada. I don't think the mandolin style frets would intonate a banjo any better, though!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/tounge.gif

[Bob A]

Heavier strings seem to benefit from thicker higher frets. Bowlbacks have tiny frets, use extra light strings, and are pretty loud. Old Gibsons were originally strung with pretty light strings, and of course had vintage-sized frets. I'd prefer the old-style frets on an old instrument, and I've found that lighter gauge strings work well on them.

[mandoJeremy]

Actually, I like Martin guitar frets!

[mike_c]

i hate big frets--they are clunky and don't intonate as well..

[mrbook]

I like the smaller frets - they seem better proportioned to the size of the instrument. I had one mandolin with larger frets, but could not get used to it after a month of daily playing. I sold it to a friend who really liked it (not a bad instrument, just not for me), and when I tried it on a visit a few months later it seemed fine. Nevertheless, I prefer the smaller frets.

[Luthier Vandross]

Standard mando refret is with banjo wire, but I do like them big.

M