Corvette Teambuilt Pro Series Frets seem very soft?

[Florin Corvette]

Hi everyone! I just got my first made in Germany Warwick, brand new, 2026 edition. This was kind of like a long dream of mine. I could not be happier with how it sound and how it looks, BUT as I was doing some adjustments to lower the action I noticed the frets. After playing for a few hours, they are a lot duller and seem to already have wear on them?! The dulling I understand is somehow normal, but the frets have some pretty deep scratches that can you can feel going over them with the fingernail. They are caused by the strings. I did a test and did a bend on a fret that had no wear and it left a mark. Now as far as I understand, but am still confused, the fret material is nickel silver, however they seem like brass to me. Either way, it should be pretty hard stuff! I have other bases with stainless steel frets that I have been playing for years and those have no marks. The strings on the Corvette are the Warwick Black label stainless steel that came from the factory.
Is this normal? Is there like a break in period? I have to say I did not expect this and I need to know if there is something wrong.
Thanks!

 

[Gnermo]

Just play the bass man, wear is normal on all guitars. It's probably just grime from the strings.

 

[Florin Corvette]

Thanks for the reply, but it's not grime. The bass and strings are brand new. If this was a second hand instrument I think some wear would be normal. I was just looking for an opinion if the fret material is behaving normally. Maybe Warwick changed the material with something of lower quality for the new bases. I don't know, I can still return it if that is the case.

 

[Gnermo]

This thread is also useless without pictures.

 

[Florin Corvette]

I took some photos. Hopefully they capture what I was talking about. In the meantime I'll switch to nickel plated strings and keep an eye out.

 

[Nachobassman]

Hello there...

I think those frets just need a good 'ol polishing. Start with that.

Also, it will give you a better view about dents or scratches o the frets, because, in my experience, grime could hide everything.