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Frets on modern 1957 Les Paul Custom reissues

Gretev1

Member
Joined
Feb 25, 2020
Messages
31
I own a 1957 Les Paul Custom reissue built in 2010. Does anyone know the fret size that was used or is still being used on 1957 Les Paul Custom reissues?
Vintage ones are known to be outfitted with very low fretless wonder frets. Yet the frets on my reissue seem to be very similar to medium jumbo frets if not identical.
I remember emailing Gibson years ago asking about the type of frets on these reissues and they assured me that they use the fretless wonder frets.
Comparing the frets on my guitar to pictures of actual vintage fretless wonder frets I am hesitant to believe this is an accurate statement. I have never played vintage fretless wonders and hear that it is very difficult to bend on them. I am very happy with my frets so this is not a complaint at all. I am just curious about the actual fret size on these LP Custom reissues. Do they actually use fretless wonder frets or medium jumbos or another fret size?
Possibly the fret sizes have changed throughout the history of LP Custom reissues.
Any info?
 

1allspub

Active member
Joined
Feb 25, 2018
Messages
192
Yep, the frets on my 2022 ‘57 RI BB7 are the exact same as the ones on my 2021 R9 (Jescar FW45100). I even got out the old micrometer to verify. Absolutely 1000% NOT Fretless Wonder frets... thankfully! Frankly, I’d have never bought my BB7 if it’d had those skinny, low frets—unfortunate that Gibson Customer Service didn’t know better, but honestly, not the first time they’ve given out bad info... i.e., the folks working the phones there are oftentimes not that well informed. :rolleyes: <sigh>
 

jb_abides

Well-known member
Joined
Apr 6, 2005
Messages
5,276
Current Custom Shop era Historic BB7/R7-LPC are "Historic Medium-Jumbo" Jescar FW45100. As are R7-Jr/R8-Jr/R9/R0/R0-SpDC standard Historic. FW45100 has been in use for a some time, for OP's 2010 BB7. R4/R6/R7/R8 standard Historic are now spec'd as "Historic Narrow-Tall" Jescar FW50078 per Mat K. I believe this happened around 2018...? Artist, M2M, etc. other models vary, of course. And remember, PLEKing can cause variations from factory wire spec.
 

1allspub

Active member
Joined
Feb 25, 2018
Messages
192
Current Custom Shop era Historic BB7/R7-LPC are "Historic Medium-Jumbo" Jescar FW45100. As are R7-Jr/R8-Jr/R9/R0/R0-SpDC standard Historic. FW45100 has been in use for a some time, for OP's 2010 BB7. R4/R6/R7/R8 standard Historic are now spec'd as "Historic Narrow-Tall" Jescar FW50078 per Mat K. I believe this happened around 2018...? Artist, M2M, etc. other models vary, of course. And remember, PLEKing can cause variations from factory wire spec.
Yep, my recently sold 2018 R8 had the "Historic Narrow-Tall" FW50078 frets... and I could just never warm up to them. Tried for 4 years before giving up. Loved the guitar’s neck and top and weight... really disliked the frets. Considered a refret, but in the end decided to just sell it instead and get a BB7. Zero regrets!(y)

The FW45100s on my BB7 and R9 are absolute perfection. The FW47095s on my “regular” LPC Silverburst are great too. Can’t tell the diff going back and forth between them and the FW45100 (but then again the Silverburst is almost 13 years old now and has seen plenty of action in its life, so the frets are likely worn down a bit anyway).
 
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