Wide Oval frets / Dunlop 6150 wire

[Tollywood]

Hello everyone,

I have done my due diligence searching but I would like to confirm the information that I have found. I have a 1981 Les Paul that needs frets. I like the wide low frets from the early 1980s. I have heard them called Wide Ovals. I think the best replacement for the wide ovals is Dunlop 6150 wire. Am I correct or is there a better choice, please? Thank you for helping me.

https://flic.kr/p/2nzrSRe

 

[jb_abides]

Always good to measure via digital caliper if you are looking for exact match. If you have lots of wear, you'll have to decide where you want to be, height-wise, once you determine width.

I have passingly heard Dunlop 6150 referred to as "Wide Oval" but more commonly and specifically as "Jumbo"...

I believe that era got 61xx including the 6130 [with 50 being less tall than 30, see below].



Also good to assess if you want 'accurate reproduction' or something for you, as a keeper, to include using stainless versus conventional wire.

 

[Tollywood]

Always good to measure via digital caliper if you are looking for exact match. If you have lots of wear, you'll have to decide where you want to be, height-wise, once you determine width.

I have passingly heard Dunlop 6150 referred to as "Wide Oval" but more commonly and specifically as "Jumbo"...

I believe that era got 61xx including the 6130 [with 50 being less tall than 30, see below].

View attachment 19048

Also good to assess if you want 'accurate reproduction' or something for you, as a keeper, to include using stainless versus conventional wire.

Thank you so much. I will measure tonight. I appreciate the chart.

 

[garywright]

I had 6150s put on my ‘69 LPC some years back @ philtone …I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again

 

[Tollywood]

I had 6150s put on my ‘69 LPC some years back @ philtone …I wouldn’t hesitate to use them again

Thank you.

 

[Tollywood]

Always good to measure via digital caliper if you are looking for exact match. If you have lots of wear, you'll have to decide where you want to be, height-wise, once you determine width.

I have passingly heard Dunlop 6150 referred to as "Wide Oval" but more commonly and specifically as "Jumbo"...

I believe that era got 61xx including the 6130 [with 50 being less tall than 30, see below].

View attachment 19048

Also good to assess if you want 'accurate reproduction' or something for you, as a keeper, to include using stainless versus conventional wire.

For width I am at .10 but my caliper does not have the important third digit. Height was tricky but I think it was .03 or thereabout. So, I think the 6150 will be good. That size worked well for @garywright.

 

[jb_abides]

Yeah, as I said, measure only for exact match to prior, or taste...

6150 are all-around favorites.

 

[jb_abides]

This was a fairly recent thread on re-fret that might be of interest regarding stainless.

Stainless Steel Refret Before & After - CS R7

Lots of back and forth internally about this, but I eventually decided to have my M2M R7 Les Paul refretted with Jescar SS frets, and then film before and after to see if there's any difference in tone since that's such a common question people have (and a big reason why people opt out of going...

www.lespaulforum.com

 

[garywright]

btw, whats up with you’re stock frets ? ..I ask as some pros can work surprising magic to freshen/ recrown etc.

 

[Tollywood]

btw, whats up with you’re stock frets ? ..I ask as some pros can work surprising magic to freshen/ recrown etc.

They are 41 years old and in addition to being worn they have dents and lower flat spots. It’s $150 to recrown or $250 to install new frets. I think they might be worn too low to recrown them.

 

[jb_abides]

They are 41 years old and in addition to being worn they have dents and lower flat spots. It’s $150 to recrown or $250 to install new frets. I think they might be worn too low to recrown them.

I am in the same situation for my 74 Anniversary LPC, and the dents are more divots. I am leaning stainless as I don't ever foresee selling, still doing research...

 

[Tollywood]

I am in the same situation for my 74 Anniversary LPC, and the dents are more divots. I am leaning stainless as I don't ever foresee selling, still doing research...

I am not going to save the nibs. I’d love to see the ‘74.

 

[jb_abides]

I am not going to save the nibs. I’d love to see the ‘74.

No nibs OK: I like polished, rounded edges that can extend a smooch on a re-fret....



Sadly, Gibson The Dog recently crossed the bridge.

 

[garywright]

beautiful guitar ( and dog )

 

[jb_abides]

beautiful guitar ( and dog )

Thanks so much. The guitar is pretty fine... The dog was the best!

 

[Tollywood]

Thanks so much. The guitar is pretty fine... The dog was the best!

Oh, what a cute dog. I almost didn’t notice the guitar!

 

[garywright]

few guitars look perfect with witch hats and that is one of them

 

[jb_abides]

few guitars look perfect with witch hats and that is one of them

Totally agree! In white. I don't like them on the black ones, I really don't like them on transparent bursts. I am just now warming to them on 70s walnut 335.

 

[Tollywood]

I just ordered the wire directly from Dunlop. I got the $20 precut package for one fret job. I will be handing them to my luthier for him to install. He has Jescar wire and it’s wide but very tall. Jumbo size, so I thought I should bring him exactly what I want.