Chrome Frets Review and Interview

By: Dr. Matt Warnock

Guitarists hate to change their strings, it’s just a fact. There’s a well-spoken myth that floats around the guitar world that players want to make it big so they can have fame and fortune. The truth is, we all want to make it big so we can afford to pay someone to change our strings for us on a regular basis. Imagine how cool it would be to be able to play on fresh strings all the time, without having to sit there are change them every 3 to 4 days when they begin to wear out.

While they can’t send someone over to your house to change your strings for you each week, the folks over at Chrome Frets USA have developed a cleaning product that not only makes your strings sound better, but will extend their life considerable, allowing you more time between changings. The Chrome Fret package comes with four different items, Teflo Wax, blue cloth, pad with leather and micro-fiber side and an instruction manual to get you started, though the process is so simple, and effective, that one can almost do it in their sleep.

The four-step process, which includes cleaning the strings and frets as well as moistening the fretboard if you see fit, is simple and can be done in a matter of minutes. The end result is not only a good looking fretboard, but by removing dirt and grime from the strings they stay newer longer, retaining the bright tone we all love, and are easier to play as they won’t feel all sticky and worn out under our fingers.

As well, by taking the dirt out from around the frets, which basically acts as microscopic sandpaper, you can not only improve the playability and tone of the guitar, you can extend the life of your frets at the same time, saving hundreds of dollars in fret job expenses down the road.

At $27.99, the Chrome Fret package is an absolute steal. If you think about how much money you spend on strings in a year, and how much it would cost to replace your frets over time, this product pays for itself in a matter of months. If you’re want to learn more check out the company’s website, or read our Q & A with Chrome Frets owner Eddy below.

Chrome Frest Package

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Matt Warnock: For those of our readers who don’t know, can you give us a brief rundown on why it’s important to regularly clean our frets, for both cosmetic and sonic reasons?

Eddy: Frets and strings on any guitar gradually tarnish as they’re exposed to air, humidity and moisture, eventually they oxidize into a dull lead grey color. A guitar with dull frets and strings is much harder to play, it feels slow and the sound is affected because the tone’s been reduced.

Suffice it to say, a guitar with gleaming frets and strings will look and feel like a much more expensive instrument. Fret wear and string breakages are dramatically reduced, string bends are much easier and for the gigging musician playing a long set, the difference is like playing with a power assisted fret board, a lot less work involved.

Matt: How often do you recommend that people clean their frets?

Eddy: Once frets and strings have been cleaned it only takes quick and light maintenance to keep the guitar in top condition. Strings should be wiped down after each playing session with the blue cloth that comes in the Chrome Fret package, which can be laundered.

A couple of drops of TefloWax is all that’s needed to lubricate and protect the strings between sessions. Frets don’t need cleaning more than once every couple of months, TefloWax is designed to stop frets and strings from oxidizing during that time.

Matt: What is the difference in using Chrome Frets to clean a guitar compared to simply wiping it down with a shammey or cloth?

Eddy: Would you wash a dirty car with just a dry sponge? Teflowax gets in between the string windings and stops moisture penetrating and rusting from within. You can also occasionally re-hydrate rosewood and ebony boards to keep them from drying out and splitting, it’s important to lubricate the nut and saddles from time to time. TefloWax will reduce string drag and friction and the whole playing experience is enhanced, which is something a dry cloth will never do.

Matt: Do you offer different packages or varieties of the cleaning package, or is there one basic package that people buy from the site?

Eddy: Designed by a guitarist, Chrome Frets is an all in one complete fret board care system. Instead of buying a fret polisher, nut lubricant, 360 string cleaner, lemon oil conditioner, string lubricant, Chrome Frets does the lot. It is reusable, costs a lot less and takes up less space in the case.

Matt: Can Chrome Fret be used on all types of guitars, even classical and acoustic guitars?

Eddy: Chrome Frets can be used on a wide variety of instruments including guitars, bass and acoustic guitars, banjos, mandolins, pedal steel and dulcimers. It can be used on maple boards providing the lacquer isn’t worn, if in doubt ask us first.

Matt: What do you say to people who are nervous about rubbing any kind of chemical on their guitar, even though Chrome Frets is perfectly safe to use?

Eddy: It’s safe to use on all finishes including nitro cellulose finishes, the product contains no silicone. Teflowax is based on pharmaceutical grade products that make up a lot of day to day cosmetic bases. Chrome Frets is developed with great care to ensure that product is safe for both user and instrument.

Matt: Now that you’ve launched Chrome Frets and have gotten positive feedback on the product, do you have plans to expand into other areas of guitar maintenance?

Eddy: The reviews we have received for Chrome Frets have been really positive and we’re working with scientists on a unique and affordable way of treating guitar strings that we believe won’t need changing for at least a year. They will cost the same as uncoated strings.

Feedback we’ve had from users of coated strings are largely the costs, up to three times the cost of uncoated and in some cases they sap tone as a result of the coating. We’re working on a product that will change that, making these strings more affordable for the everyday player to use.