Guitar Frets - Jumbo vs. Medium vs. Small

Guitar Frets - Jumbo vs. Medium vs. Small - Size Comparison

Рет қаралды 303,982

Күн бұрын

Fret size and fret type have a huge impact on a guitar's playability. I play five guitars with different kinds of frets to discuss the differences between jumbo, medium and small frets.Then, I talk about the importance of flatter frets vs. rounded frets/crowns.
Do you like my guitar playing? Check out MY ORIGINAL METAL SONG: • Monster Heavy Metal Gu...
For simplicity, I refer to jumbo, medium and small frets in generic terms. There's a huge variety of fret types -- narrow and tall, wide and short, both wide and tall, etc. -- and it would be impossible to cover all of them.
I play the following guitars on this video:
1. ESP M-II with active EMG 81 pickups and original Floyd Rose tremolo
2. Jackson King V KV2 with Seymour Duncan SH-4 and TB-4 pickups, and original Floyd Rose tremolo
3. Vintage B.C. Rich Bich with DiMarzio pickups and Kahler 2300 tremolo
4. Vintage B.C. Rich Mockingbird with DiMarzio pickups and Kahler 2300 tremolo
5. LTD JH-600 with active EMG 81 and 85 pickups and Kahler 2300 tremolo
Among other topics, I discuss the following:
1. Distance between the fingertip and fretboard
2. Fret leveling and crowning
3. Fret buzz
4. String action and gauge
5. How to choose frets
For reviews and photos of my guitars, please visit my website: www.dmometalguitar.com/

Пікірлер: 420

@casaroli 3 жыл бұрын

Simple and direct. I miss old youtube.

@StevenParente 5 жыл бұрын

This video was created 6 years ago and is still one of the better ones the subject of different fret wire size. Nice job! Thanks.

@Sasasala386 4 жыл бұрын

Was thinking the same thing!

@chilljlt 3 жыл бұрын

yes. Only that now it's *this video created 7 years ago

@kaskalo2 2 жыл бұрын

@kennethcharlesrhea confirmed

@mariolindlar4541 2 жыл бұрын

Here comes the Nine :> Good Video :)

@michaelgrahamwongacutemadness Жыл бұрын

6000s I think are XJ which I’m guessing is what ESP and Jackson usually use but 6105 seems to be considered narrow jumbo or medium tall; I like how they’re taller than medium jumbo but skinnier so you have more space between the frets and away enough from the board, but I don’t know how many years it will take before I need to replace the frets on my two guitars anyways.

@samtheman123 3 жыл бұрын

I was not expecting him to be that ridiculously amazing at shredding.

@sirspongadoodle 2 жыл бұрын

not really "amazing"

@osalbaro Жыл бұрын

lots of noodling

@rajeshprasad6016 8 ай бұрын

@@sirspongadoodle I'm sure you're much better right?🤣

@sirspongadoodle 8 ай бұрын

@@rajeshprasad6016 yes i am, and emojis aren’t an argument.

@rajeshprasad6016 8 ай бұрын

@@sirspongadoodle That sad, out of time tornado of souls isn't an argument either🤮

@100chuckjones 7 жыл бұрын

No need to troll this video. This is a really good, thorough explanation of different fret choices. It appears to me anyway.. that a lot of effort was put in to making this video and we should be (as viewers) grateful for the education lessons.

@100chuckjones 4 жыл бұрын

@Lyle Wilson Anyone can bitch and cry about how bad someone else's video is, especially when they haven't even uploaded 1 video. Lets see that high quality video you made and i will go watch it. Everyone on you tube is a critic. Free videos but they act like they paid for it and want a refund.

@jackdellad4602 3 жыл бұрын

Well said pal.

@Octwavian 5 жыл бұрын

this guy plays like he eats nothing but jalapeno chili peppers. invormative video tho.

@Official_KC 4 жыл бұрын

I'm so glad I watched this video. I've been trying to understand what fret sizes actually mean. I was thinking it was spacing until this.

@wiscostrongman3430 3 жыл бұрын

Lmfao I love that analogy but before I go and use it myself....I have to know what YOUR true meaning to “plays like he eats nothing but jalapeño chili peppers” means....diarrhea?? Lol

@ScottRoofwalker 7 жыл бұрын

I had a malmsteen strat. You will gain a whole new level of respect for his playing. The scalloped fretboard leaves no room for error. You cannot flub a note. It's like using roller skates on an ice rink if you have no control.

@rosehipp 4 жыл бұрын

Nim Chimpsky You can do amazing bendings and vibratos since there are no wood underneath.

@rosehipp 4 жыл бұрын

@Nim Chimpsky Sadly I`m also new to this so I haven`t found any yet

@maciejduda5257 4 жыл бұрын

@Nim Chimpsky Richie Blackmore. Steve Vai these days scallops his guitars as well.

@danwinne6257 3 жыл бұрын

@@maciejduda5257 Aq

@visceralremembrance2022 9 жыл бұрын

And this whole time i thought JUMBO FRETS was the size of the spacing between the metal frets themselves. What a dummy ;) My B.C. Rich Bich has jumbo frets and i'm satisfied!!

@Celicalover 6 жыл бұрын

Visceral Remembrance so did I pfff!

@juandelacruz4679 4 жыл бұрын

4 years later to the conversation but I too. I was thinking I will need to buy longer strings or something 😅

@Official_KC 4 жыл бұрын

Same here! I specifically came to this video trying to figure out what the hell a "narrow tall" fret would ever look like

@leathersandals 3 жыл бұрын

😂😂same here

@michaelgrahamwongacutemadness 2 жыл бұрын

well it does effect spacing which is why i like narrow frets but i like them tall too so it’s like a scalloped board which would probably be best with short frets unless you want that floating finger effect to be extreme though there wasn’t much difference in playability with alexi’s models since they only have them at the end

@Lewis--- 7 жыл бұрын

Loving that cheesy keyboard theme. Rocky was probably listening to that before he got in the ring. A soldier probably plays that just before he charges into the fray. I hear it will blast out over every PA system in the world at 1 minute before midnight on New Year's Eve 2017.

@MrCretemaniam 4 жыл бұрын

Lewis Hay...Hay ! You are funny ! Thanks !

@dmometalguitar 11 жыл бұрын

The whole thing of going out of tune with jumbo frets is not a show stopper. I think most players can get used to it -- unless you have a really hard touch against the fretboard. After playing my guitar for a while, I learned how to touch the jumbo frets with the right amount of pressure, so the strings don't go sharp. Of course, I can't speak for all players, and maybe some players may find it more difficult. That's why I thought it was important to discuss the issue.

@joycemitchell4me1 10 жыл бұрын

I have been teaching myself to do light guitar maintenance since I own 9 of them and I am also currently in the process of leveling the frets on a Squier Strat. I got a book on fret work from StewMac I just started to read and haven't come across the part about Slightly flattened vs full crown yet! You got a lot of info in this short video. Thank You!

@hubertmalicki718 3 жыл бұрын

There is no other guy on YT who is so precise in understanding the guitar. I have had many considerations about how every guitar piece affect playability and finally I found the right information source. I'm very grateful for your approach, no bullshit, only experience and attention to details. Thanks man.

@brucelager8816 5 жыл бұрын

Thank you for your detailed explanation! I am finally having a guitar custom built and this reinforces my decision to go with medium-small frets.

@dmytrogarastovych7684 11 ай бұрын

I'm not a shredder or metal player by any stretch, but this video is hands down the best I've seen so far regarding the topic. Would be great to see another one regarding how fret material and size affects the sound

@gonebymidnight2881 5 жыл бұрын

Great video man. The only point I don’t agree with is with the perfectly rounded crowns. They produce a much more defined sound, more accurate intonation and help with slides.

@harlont 8 жыл бұрын

Informative video. Thanks for taking the time to make it and share it. Killer shredding, as well.

@ricstormwolf 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you for this video. I was told by a guitar tech that my guitar might need to have the frets replaced as "the valleys have become the peaks." This video has given me a little more info on what frets to choose. I imagine refretting a guitar isn't something you want to do too many times. Lol. Thanks again 👍

@XxHarounXx 11 жыл бұрын

Glad to see your comparisons are back

@DCWelker 7 жыл бұрын

I love the extra jumbo frets on my Schecter. I have barely any contact with the fretboard now as compared to my Gibson Flying V. I am pretty sure it has medium frets. I have to press the strings a bit harder on the V.. It takes some getting used to adjusting from a harder grip on the Gibson to having such a light touch on my Schecter. I much prefer the Schecter now as it is much faster, not to mention the overall feel and sound.

@r_aguilar68 9 жыл бұрын

Most excellent tutorial...thank you!!!

@reamp0000 5 жыл бұрын

Great video and awesome playing

@eltigre8978 8 жыл бұрын

This is an excellent video! Thanks for posting. If there's one lesson to take home, it's the lesson about staying away from any rounded crown fret. So true! It feels weird.....like speed bumps or something. Very tiring. I had not thought about this until recently after playing different guitars. Why do some feel better than others? Wow, it's the CROWNS! Not so much the size but whether the crown is flat or rounded! Again thanks for this video. I have learned something new for sure.

@lambdashiftakadavidheikkil2657 5 жыл бұрын

Says small frets are hard to shred on, plays over 170 bpm.

@bobbob9103 5 жыл бұрын

Nice summary. Very helpful thanks. I also prefer larger frets. I played the PRS SE range today and because the frets are not large I find that my sweaty fingers drag on the fret board, making bending harder. Other than that the PRS is one of the best guitars I've played. But now I'm guitar hunting again and just wish PRS did a jumbo fret model.

@arielcandoleta5347 9 ай бұрын

Splendid information, thanks a whole lot. I'm at the beginning stage ofy shredsing and lead guitar journey and medium to jumbo frets will be my best option.

@jorgex9789 4 жыл бұрын

I was second guessing NOT getting jumbo frets on a Warmoth neck but this explanation put me at ease because I am heavy handed and definitely would be making notes go sharp.

@davidrewit 3 жыл бұрын

Super informative video (and nice "choose your fighter screen" video game soundtrack 😄)

@jh6008 4 жыл бұрын

Finally a video that explain Very well how it works! Thanks!

@grandtheftautocj 7 жыл бұрын

Very informative video. Also, your playing Is superb.

@bobaldo2339 5 жыл бұрын

Even though I am not into this kind of guitar playing at all, I appreciate the video. If you do a lot of sliding of barre chords around the neck, low-wide frets are the best. Tall "jumbo" frets tend to feel like speed bumps.

@guitarlessons2396 8 жыл бұрын

thanks for the video, very helpful.

@riodhani9675 8 жыл бұрын

Very informative from a great player... salute !

@andersoncesario26 Жыл бұрын

Man, thank you very much for this class. As a beginner, I'm constantly confused about the right frets/guitar that would suit me better.

@Donutv123 4 жыл бұрын

This video is super helpful! Thank you!

@asdf9890 4 жыл бұрын

This is really the only decent video comparison I have been able to find on this subject. And hell yeah, the LTD JH 600, is that a Jeff Hanneman model?

@ducamuk 4 жыл бұрын

Very informative. Thank you for posting. 👍

@PetarJovanovic993 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this man, it helps me understand guitars better.

@Philminator 4 жыл бұрын

Amazing video! The best guitar fret size comparison video. Obviously I would have rathered hear you talk over the music that was very repetitive, so I just muted it until you started playing, then I got jealous, and muted it again lol. I will choose a guitar with medium frets as I like to play my electrics unplugged sometimes at night, and I want less chance of hearing fret buzz.

@GuitarTeacherBushey 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the video. Really informative.

@wayneburton3378 6 жыл бұрын

Thanks for this instructional video . I learned a lot . I Have a 1974 Gibson Les Paul Custom with a Fretless Wonder original factory neck . I was wondering why it played so easy lol . As I said before Thanks for this instructional video .

@ricomajestic 11 жыл бұрын

Great video! Are there specs on what is considered jumbo, medium and small frets? Like what is the height and width of the fret? Any chance of doing a video on neck profiles and thicknesses and how they affect play ability?

@Nick_Da 10 жыл бұрын

Ok, so after a fret levelling that kinda failed, I think it's time for a full refret on my Jackson dk2-l. After some internet research I think Jackson uses Dunlop 6100 as jumbo frets. Any opinions much appreciated. I want to make it as the original frets Jackson uses.

@spamnegg.1798 8 жыл бұрын

Your LTD JH-600 has xtra jumbo frets as installed by ESP/LTD.

@deanwolfechannel 3 жыл бұрын

What are your thoughts on stainless steel frets?

@Anonymous.android 4 жыл бұрын

For years I thouht when people said medium jumbo for example that they were talking about the size of the frets and not the fret wire if that makes sense. I never gave it too much thought until now when I randomly decided I should in fact find out what is meant. Thank you

@nickkmd9306 10 жыл бұрын

Thanks for sharing info . Helpfull

@WakizashiSabre 11 жыл бұрын

As other guy mentioned, radius has its role too. Shredding on Ibby with 17" or guitars with no radius at all (not that common, mostly custom ones, not counting classic music guitars) is totally different than playing on some 7" radius Strat.

@MrCherfas 11 жыл бұрын

thank you. very clear and concise. you play great too!

@stevetothink 6 жыл бұрын

Great vid. Very informative.

@morkeherrer2024 4 жыл бұрын

The video is super helpful. However,I play a lot of (metal) rythmic compared to solos,but wich jumbos are the best? Medium or big?

@ChristianJ5680 3 жыл бұрын

Awesome video. A question: do you know what the size is of the medium frets used by Jackson on the KV2’s built in the early 00’s?

@Orbsee 9 жыл бұрын

Before i watch ur video i have 0 understanding of this topic, now i've clear understanding regarding fret size.. Thanks man!

@Dastardly_X 3 жыл бұрын

Nice reference vid for picking fret size !!

@miguelfragoso3579 8 жыл бұрын

don´t forget the effect of the fretboard radius also as on how you play

@julienpregent4397 8 жыл бұрын

Are your jumbo's 6100 or 6150 fretwire?

@jonesjabari 8 жыл бұрын

does having a big hand and long fingers make a difference? cause, sometime I try and play some chords and end up muting string.

@anandaagnideva4268 9 жыл бұрын

thanks for posting most helpful

@ionicbreeze 10 жыл бұрын

aww man i didnt know you restarted making vids! awesome haha, missed the theme music

@beyondinfinity3876 8 ай бұрын

Amazing video about frets!

@dreamforfreedom 4 жыл бұрын

Where could I find fret wire for my Charvel Pro MOdDk24 that's jumbo but slightly rounded??? Anybody know of any websites that sell this particular fret wire?

@edwardkennedy5500 3 жыл бұрын

I press hard while chording but prefer the wide frets. What kind of frets would be best and is wide frers referring to radius?

@mailvilla Жыл бұрын

04/02/2023: I am a beginner bedroom player. I just bought an Eart T-380 with HH splitable pickups. This guitar sound good to me, and has a lot of features for an inexpensive $400.00 guitar to include stainless steel frets. I have as bad habit of notching fret wires no matter what size, so I though steel would be great for me. But, they are very small, narrow, and highly polished rounded tops, and highly polished rounded ends. The action for 10-46 is very low with no buzzing. They feel OK for me, but will they last is my question to you?

@bobbylight5875 4 жыл бұрын

Great information dude.

@Tombking2 11 жыл бұрын

What different does small vs wide frets do? I wish you covered that part!

@mattevans5812 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the explanation. Now to find why can't I get medium stainless frets on an acoustic. I hate the way the low soft frets file off from bending acoustic strings. not much metal there to begin with.

@PVCLime Жыл бұрын

Thanks for the early 90s seriousness of this video ❤

@ROVAKAN 7 жыл бұрын

very informative video and 90's style informative video background music ... that was awesome it explains every important points of fret types ... just awesome ....

@FreekeeChakra 10 жыл бұрын

I like the vintage frets and to me it feels more comfortable and easier to shred, esp with a lot of sliding....cuz you can feel more of the guitar, and the fingers can just know where to go. The tone also is more consistent and smoother I think. It's just a personal preference. I still go back to the jumbo frets from time to time.

@donald-parker Жыл бұрын

I thought the whole point of crowning frets was to make the string contact be right above where the fret slot is cut, so the guitar plays in tune. If you have very wide/flat frets that will mess up your intonation.

@Mr.Goldbar 6 жыл бұрын

I wish there was a compound fret size on guitars, kinda like a fanned fret multiscale or a compound fretboard radius but with the fret size, for example going from medium jumbo on the first fret to extra jumbo on the 24th fret that could be a really cool feature and I'll probably do that to my signature guitar if I'll ever have one

@dickypratama2588 6 жыл бұрын

Bar Goldstein I have a custom ibanez guitar with medium jumbo frets but I scalloped the fretboard from 12th to 24 fret, it feels so good for shredding in the high fret but still feels comfortable for chording in the low fret. check my latest video.

@DKoppJr 4 жыл бұрын

Thank you ! very informative video.

@Tombking2 11 жыл бұрын

If you generally are more of a rhythm player who obviously still needs that fastness within thrash/death metal. Would you still recommend the jumbos? I often get with some necks that my fingers get "stuck" and that i get tired quickly as hell because i have to press down the frets so hard to actually get sound. do you know what Bc rich generally uses?

@onemaster324 4 жыл бұрын

Great tutorial! Thanks!

@momo1momo 4 жыл бұрын

Thanks! Very informative.

@Cowboy-e1c Жыл бұрын

For those who have no idea about scalloped fretboard don't think about it because your fingers will hurt and sliding along the fretboard is very difficult 😭

@matthewjohnloren1995 11 ай бұрын

Wait how would you do a flatter or wider crown on a fret?

@Nick_Da 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the vid. I own a Jackson dk2 with jumbo frets which I had it levelled to a luthier due to fret dents, the levelling was about 1/3 lower (the frets lost about 1/3 of their height, so I think they are like medium now. I feel the tone after fret levelling has changed. Is that possible? Is it possible scratching the fretboard when playing, just because my fingers touch more closely to the wood? Thanks man, a video for string action (measuring, lowering it would be great)

@Nick_Da 11 жыл бұрын

Thanks for the answer. That's a good point about the intonation. As far as open chords are concerned I can't remeber an actual difference in the tone. Unfortunately, overall the fretboard - for my fingers - has lost its playability. I don't know if it is the luthier's fault or if it is only me, but Ι really miss the larger frets. Doesn't feel like a Jackson anymore :(

@jovankovacevic7361 4 жыл бұрын

Very good video! Thanks!

@kimsolmo 9 жыл бұрын

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Awesome video. Have you never tried a scalloped neck. Oh...please. I love it. I wish all of my guitars scalloped. It plays very slinky without fraction. But IMHO one downside of scalloped neck is it hurts your fingers more than regular fretboard.

@jackdellad4602 3 жыл бұрын

Really great video.

@odanis213 5 жыл бұрын

Thanks, great video!

@zsaxeshed5743 2 жыл бұрын

Would neck profile have a significant effect on all this ? Very informative!

@djamellaroussimusic 5 жыл бұрын

great video thank you. I have a question, depending on the fret style ( jumbo, medium, small ) do you think that this has an influence on the sustain of the note while playing the guitar with out amplifier ?what is your opinion on that point ?thanks for an answer

@dmometalguitar 5 жыл бұрын

I can't tell for sure.. When I changed frets on one of my guitars, it sounded bad but I don't recall the sustain being affected.

@allboutthemojo 3 жыл бұрын

@@dmometalguitar how do I know visually if my frets are jumbo or medium?

@XxGDUBxX7 Жыл бұрын

The disappearing pyramid inlays are my fav. Also you're a shred master haha 🤘

@HerdingDogRescuer 3 жыл бұрын

Great video!

@ricomajestic 11 жыл бұрын

How does it feel when playing chords on a fretboard with jumbo frets or scalloped? Is it more difficult to play chords?

@MrTheguywithalife 4 жыл бұрын

my guitar is wierd where i have to press down harder on the strings the closer i get to the body. the F barre chord was the easiest barre chord ever. i was able to do it easy the first time. but i cant do 555775 or in particular something like x7775x for the life of me. i just cant press my ring finger down hard enough. is it just me, or is it my guitar?

@rapmaniacforum 6 жыл бұрын

thanks for the upload

@bcain5823 Жыл бұрын

Been looking at the PRS Custom 24 and noticed looking at the specs on the colors show fret differences as well. For instance, the less expensive colors do not specify the fret type but the more expensive do; i.e. Number of frets on Charcoal = 24, Number of frets on Quilted Black Gold = 24 Medium Jumbo. Most people would never notice it but I did. Is medium jumbo better?

@fernandomontesdeoca3789 3 ай бұрын

Thanks a lot man, Now I have a much better understanding on the whole thing! ❤❤

@user-kl9wb7ig3w 5 жыл бұрын

I have a cheap $100 Squire Tele and I want it to have better play ability. The neck feels nice and smooth, and the guitar is super lightweight. Still, that fretboard is cutting up my fingers. I don’t know if it’s the action on the guitar, the fret size/height, or both. I do a lot of soloing with finger(s) sliding and it feels like torture of that guitar as opposed to my Les Paul epiphone, which feels awesome to play but it gets really heavy on the shoulders and back after 20min. Should I get the Tele refretted or just lower my action, or...? Also when I have it on distortion it gets this high end feedback the second I take my hand off the neck, sometimes even when it’s still on the neck. Should I change the pick ups? If so what do you recommend?

@albertodelavega4622 Жыл бұрын

Which are the frets of your LTD JH-600? On the web I see they are extra jumbo, but you say they are between medium and jumbo... thanks!

@dannyd1224 8 жыл бұрын

wow that camo looks sick nice playing too! I'm not too big on solos....nor am i good at it...but i need to learn how to do that via tremolo thing lol

@jaydenbaker569 7 жыл бұрын

I have the USA yngwie and a yngwie replica I made myself. And in all honesty, the USA yngwie is the same amount of awesome as my replica and their playability are both super amazing, and it is due to the super jumbo frets (plus the scallop). And of course the dimarzio hs3's.

@lousekoya1803 2 жыл бұрын

Great video , thanks ! I want 6130's on my Strat which are 106w X36h , ever tried those ?

@Explorer12888 8 жыл бұрын

I almost change my frets from medium to jumbo but I've changed my mind after watching this video. I know where I belong. Really good information, thank you.

@genustinca5565 3 жыл бұрын

Funny what you say about your Ltd. I feel the exact same way about my Ltd: perfect frets somewhere between jumbo and medium.

@mirko2481 7 жыл бұрын

Hi I have medium frets on my squier vintage hss when I bend the string above tend to slip under my finger and my finger scratches against the fretboard it doesent feel good how can I fix it?

@xXChipp3000Xx 7 жыл бұрын

My guess would be to adjust 'Intonation' ? I'm just learning stuff too through videos, haha. I'm also just replying because no one else is :/

@devilmaylol 11 жыл бұрын

What about vibrato? I think I remember in an interview Yngwie stating that's why he uses scalloped frets, and it seems to be a selling point of jumbo frets.