Standard Taylor Fret Wire Size?

[tenoratlarge]

So I'm about to acquire a 415ce that I got for a steal, but it's going to need some TLC to get it up and rolling at 100%. The previous owner has told me that it will need some frets replaced... what size fret wire is stock for Taylors, and what brand fret wire do you recommend in the process?

[Earl]

This sounds like a question for Taylor to answer.  Call customer service and ask them.  I think they can do an entire re-fret for a reasonable price.  (We are not allowed to discuss prices on this forum, but you can check out the Taylor website for current rates).  http://www.taylorguitars.com/support/service-packages  Depending on condition and number of frets, you might want either the "Revive" or the "Renew" package.

If you plan to try this yourself, you will need to buy the fret wire from Stew-Mac or LMII, or another source.  You'll also need some tools to do the job right, probably approaching the cost of a whole new fret job when all is totaled up.  (Stew-Mac has a re-fretting tool kit and an instructional DVD).  Consider using stainless steel or "Evo" fret wire instead of standard nickle wire.  Those metals give a longer life span, since they are harder.  Many luthiers reportedly charge more for stainless steel fret jobs.

[tenoratlarge]

I have a trusted luthier that I'm going to work with... I just buy the supplies and he does the work. I definitely was intending on swapping them out for stainless if I did more than a couple. I'm pretty sure luthiers charge more for stainless because of the wear it puts on files... if it's more resistant to wear from play, taming it with files has to be tougher. I just like the feel and size of the stock fret wire that Taylor uses stock and want to stay consistent.