Frets are an essential part of the guitar as they help sustain the right level of string tension on the bridge.
In addition, it makes it convenient for guitars to achieve sufficient intonation as they help determine the right position for hitting a specific note.
The frets also produce resonance for the amp. There are different sizes of frets available, but 6100 and 6150 frets are the most commonly used options.
Is Fret Size an Important Factor to Consider?
The fret size can have a significant impact on the guitar’s playability. For instance, the big frets promise softer touch on guitar strings, while narrow fret sizes need some digging to access the strings
In addition, the higher frets are easier to bend, irrespective of the width. The narrow frets tend to have extra space for fingers, particularly for the higher pitches.
The tall frets mean less contact between the fretboard and fingers, which means you’ve to apply less pressure to ring out the notes, leading to easier tapping and bending.
On the other hand, it’s more convenient to slide over the wide frets because the angle between the fret crown’s top and the fretboard is less acute, resulting in smoother playability.
6100 vs 6150 Frets Comparison
| Features | 6100 | 6150 |
|---|---|---|
| Size | .110 inch x .055 inch | .102 inch x .042 inch |
| Tuning | Easy to maintain | Difficult to maintain |
| Installation | Easy | Complex |
| Application | Guitars with thin fretboards and narrow neck | Guitars with standard thickness and width |
6100 Frets
These frets are usually known as medium jumbo frets and are suitable for guitars with a thinner fretboard. In addition, it can be used on guitars that aren’t too wide on the fretboard area.
These frets have a small head on the top, which leads to a minimalistic appearance of the guitar once installed. These frets are suitable for beginner guitars because the tuning and intonation are easy.
The 6100 frets promise easier playability and better sustain, bending, and tone. This is because the guitarist doesn’t need to press the strings hard for fretting.
However, your fingers will not touch the fingerboard with these frets, so you might have to give it time if you are accustomed to playing with small frets.
These are the thickest frets, resulting in easier bending and also help produce warm sound, but they aren’t suitable for people with small hands. These frets are made from hard nickel and silver material, leading to better durability standards.
Design
The frets have a high-quality tang and stronger build, which is great for hobbyists as well as professional luthiers. The height of these frets helps reduce friction, which plays a positive role in bending.
On the other hand, there is a significant spacing between the frets, which is why intonation suffers. It allows the users to get under the guitar strings, which eases the bending and vibrato.
Also, these frets are perfect for people who play with their left hand. For instance, if a guitarist has slightly bigger fingers, they will do great with narrow frets, particularly if they want to reach for the high pitch.
On the other hand, people with small hands can choose wide frets, promising light toughness during playing and won’t create a problem at high notes.
These frets are usually available in a pack of 24 and are precise and straightened. For this reason, they are quite easy to bend, particularly if you use a curved fingerboard.
Since a majority of these frets are made from nickel and silver combination, they are likely to have 80% of nickel, 18% of copper, and the 2% for other metals. The material is quite durable but needs maintenance.
These frets are .055 inches in height and .110 inches in width, which makes them one of the biggest frets.
Pros
- Easier playability
- Higher sustain
- Convenient bending
- Suitable for beginners
Cons
- Needs maintenance
- Not suitable for guitarists with small hands
6150 Frets
6150 frets are a promising choice for Stratocasters or other guitars with a full-size fretboard. These frets can be used on guitars that have standard thickness and width.
Given the bigger size, these frets produce shrill and subtle sound, which is why they aren’t preferred for guitars that are used for making pop and rock music.
However, the installation and maintenance of tuning are challenging. These frets are also known as vintage jumbo frets and have a wider design. If you like to touch the fingerboard during the fretting process, you can opt for 6150 frets.
These frets are suitable for American Stratocasters because they are tall enough for articulation, which makes them an all-around size.
The 6150 frets are likely to produce rounder and bigger music tones, but they can negatively influence the intonation.
This is because the narrow frets are more precise as compared to the wider ones and result in a shimmery tone. The bigger frets add mild muddiness to the tones.
The frets are used for defining the playing notes, which is why the effect is essential for the sound quality. This is why the jumbo frets sound rounder and bigger with less precision in the pitch.
The 6150 frets produce a bigger sound because it offers more vibrational coupling between the guitar’s wood and string, resulting in a more resonant and stronger sound. In simpler words, the bigger frets have a positive influence on the tone.
However, these big frets can lead to a loss of clarity because it has a wide breakpoint where guitar strings meet the frets. Still, this clarity issue can be fixed by using pickups, pedals, and amps.
Design
These frets are short and wider, which is why many guitarists find them difficult to play and a bit clumsy. These frets are usually manufactured from nickel and silver alloy, with over 80% of nickel, which makes them extremely durable.
It can be used to achieve a clear tone. These frets are convenient to play with for professionals, but the intonation isn’t precise because the bending is too stiff.
6150 frets offer more surface area to the guitarists, leading to quicker leads, but you will need to drag the fretboard forward.
Since bending is challenging, you will do fine if you don’t like bending while playing. When compared to other fret sizes, these frets appear wider because the wire is .042 inches high and .102 inches wide.
Pros
- Suitable for subtle music genres
- All-around size
- Durable
- Clear tone
Cons
- Difficult intonation
The Final Verdict
There are multiple sizes of frets available, but 6100 and 6150 are the most commonly used sizes as they can be used with a wider range of guitars.
Since they have a significant influence on the sound and tone, 6100 frets are suitable for beginner guitarists because installation, bending, and tuning are easier.
On the other hand, 6150 frets are suitable for expert guitarists who want to play subtle and slow music because the transition is smooth.
The tall frets mean less contact between the fretboard and fingers, which means you’ve to apply less pressure to ring out the notes, leading to easier tapping and bending.
On the other hand, it’s more convenient to slide over the wide frets because the angle between the fret crown’s top and the fretboard is less acute, resulting in smoother playability.
This is why 6150 frets are suitable for classic and slow music genres (it has a smoother transition). However, the wider frets can lead to intonation issues when they get worn, which is why regular replacement is required.