For decades, nickel-silver has been the default fret material. Stainless steel is the shiny newcomer: harder, smoother, and nearly indestructible.
Players swear stainless frets sound different. Brighter. Louder. More <a href="do-heavier-guitars-actually-sustain.html">sustain</a>.
But do they really?
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The Theory
On paper, the logic makes sense:
Harder frets deform less under the string.
Less energy is absorbed at the contact point.
That should mean longer <a href="do-heavier-guitars-actually-sustain.html">sustain</a> and brighter highs.
Sounds convincing, right?
The Lab Tests
When engineers actually measure it, the results are… underwhelming:
+1–2 dB at 5–10 kHz
A few tenths of a second more <a href="do-heavier-guitars-actually-sustain.html">sustain</a> on the highs
That’s barely above the threshold of human perception. In a full band mix? Practically impossible to hear.
Why Players Swear They Hear It
This is where psychology sneaks in.
When you pay for a stainless refret, you expect a livelier sound.
Expectation bias is powerful, sometimes stronger than the physics itself.
The brain colours the ear.
The Blind Test Truth
Take away the knowledge of what’s under your fingers, and even experienced players struggle to reliably tell nickel from stainless.
The real differences aren’t tonal at all. They’re in:
Feel → stainless is slicker, bends feel smoother.
Longevity → stainless wears almost forever; nickel needs more regular maintenance.
The Takeaway
If you’re chasing tone, fret material is a minor player.
Pickups, strings, setup, and technique still rule the sound.
Fret choice is about feel and durability, not tone magic.
👉 Stainless if you want “forever frets.”
👉 Nickel if you value tradition and easier repairs.
Tone lives elsewhere. 🎸
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