Topmusicanswers
It depends on the fret material, frequency of your playing and the style of your playing. Taking all these factors in account, guitar frets life can range from a few years to even 20-30 years.
- Are nickel frets bad?
- How long does it take for frets to wear down?
- How often should frets be replaced?
- How do you know if your frets are worn out?
Are nickel frets bad?
As those strings are nickel wound, they aren't the strongest strings on the planet, and going up against the SS frets I expect they won't last as long… purely due to the fact that nickel frets against nickel strings means that the 'damage' caused by playing will be pretty well evenly split between the frets and strings ...
How long does it take for frets to wear down?
18 months before a fret-dress really isn't unreasonable. depending on how good the factory work was, that guitar may have needed the work done the day it left the factory. Unless the frets are incredibly soft, it should be good for a couple years.
How often should frets be replaced?
I recently observed that the frets are again very worn and causing some minor string buzzing issues. They need replaced again. They may only need re-dressed and leveled. I usually have to have the first 5 or 6 replaced every 5-7 years.
How do you know if your frets are worn out?
Two common signs that your frets may need attention are gouges or divots directly under the string, and flat worn areas on the frets that may cover as much as half the fret. The gouges typically occur under the steel strings and most often on the frets near the headstock where open chords are often played.
