Nickel silver

A copper, nickel and zinc alloy, and the standard fret wire of the guitar industry despite containing no silver.

The alloy is copper with nickel and zinc added, chosen because it wears reasonably, works easily and takes a polish. Fret wire is drawn from it in many profiles, and because it is relatively soft it can be levelled, crowned and dressed without ruining tools, which is why most workshops still prefer it. It is commonly described as giving a slightly warmer, softer attack than stainless steel wire, which suits vintage-flavoured instruments. Over years of playing it flattens under the strings and develops divots that cause buzzing, so it needs dressing, and eventually replacing, sooner than a harder wire would.

Example: Nickel silver frets are the default on most guitars, and their gradual wear is why a heavily played instrument needs a fret dress every few years.

typical use: Fret wire, and occasionally hardware plating.

Nickel silver

See also