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Post subject: Fret Jobs
Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 12:17 pm
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Have any of you ever replaced your own frets? With the right tools and some basic instruction (Dan Erlewine writes some tremendous material) it can't be that tough, can it?


I would really like your thoughts on this.

Thanks

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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:07 pm
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I think it would be pretty easy to tell you the truth. I would think that they would slide right out under the proper conditions. I don't have a lot of wood working experience but I rationalized it one day when I was disappointed with a ebay deluxe I bought. I figured this and I will try it one day when I have a spare neck but I wont just try it on something I need to use. The length of the top of the fingerboard is the same as the bottom, of course. Except it has a bunch of slits cut into it to acommodate the frets. If the truss rod was turned so that the neck arced up the slits would widen and the frets only being in there tight enough to hold them would come out easily. The things to look out for are breaking the fingerboard free of the neck or maybe cracking the wood. I read someplace where the recommend heating the fret, I would suspect the metal would expand and make it tighter, so maybe cool the fret with some frozen metal. I will also add that when I claim the frets are only tight enough to hold them keep in mind that if they were real tight and you arced the neck down it could break the fingerboard. Good luck.

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Posted: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:39 pm
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gomania16 wrote:
I think it would be pretty easy to tell you the truth. I would think that they would slide right out under the proper conditions. I don't have a lot of wood working experience but I rationalized it one day when I was disappointed with a ebay deluxe I bought. I figured this and I will try it one day when I have a spare neck but I wont just try it on something I need to use. The length of the top of the fingerboard is the same as the bottom, of course. Except it has a bunch of slits cut into it to acommodate the frets. If the truss rod was turned so that the neck arced up the slits would widen and the frets only being in there tight enough to hold them would come out easily. The things to look out for are breaking the fingerboard free of the neck or maybe cracking the wood. I read someplace where the recommend heating the fret, I would suspect the metal would expand and make it tighter, so maybe cool the fret with some frozen metal. I will also add that when I claim the frets are only tight enough to hold them keep in mind that if they were real tight and you arced the neck down it could break the fingerboard. Good luck.


Haha, gee thanks for the encouragement! :) Now I am afraid to adjust my truss rod which I do whenever I need to!

But with the proper instruction and taking it slow, I think I could manage it. Anyone else care to chime in?

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 12:01 am
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If you have the right tools it can be a piece of cake. Just follow the instructions and don't get in a hurry. There wouldn't be anything wrong with picking up a cheapo beater at a flea market or yard sale to practice on before actually working on your axe.


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:55 am
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That is a good idea. I might just do that! Thanks.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 5:30 pm
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Yeah I actually thought about buying the different tools for re fretting because with all the right tools It looks easy to manage.... however yeah I would first buy a really cheap probably 10 dollar no brand name neck and practice several times till I get it perfect !! :)


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:45 pm
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David Alldredge wrote:
If you have the right tools it can be a piece of cake. Just follow the instructions and don't get in a hurry. There wouldn't be anything wrong with picking up a cheapo beater at a flea market or yard sale to practice on before actually working on your axe.


Top idea.
No one is going to show you just how to do it and share all their secrets. In my experience humans are just too selfish. Your going to learn more than anyone will ever show you by being carefull and methodic. Rather than taking advice from some fella who ultimately wants to sell you tools, fretwire or even a fretted neck.
Try it on a wreck you dont care about first. Have making it play like a AM Standard your goal. You wont hit right first time but you will get there and learn a lot on the journey.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 6:50 pm
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I agree with the common sentiment. Actually, for any new procedures on a guitar, i tend to go buy the crappiest guitar i can find. Buy super cheap yard sale stuff , or even look for a busted up acoustic. if it has a neck, then it has frets you can practice on.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:06 pm
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Where's Forum User Peter55 gone - the retired guitar tech? Haven't seen him around for a week or two. He could run us a picture thread on refretting.

For that matter, Stewart-MacDonald could sponsor it - considering all the extra product they'd suddenly be selling!

Cheers - C


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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:19 pm
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Ceri wrote:
Where's Forum User Peter55 gone - the retired guitar tech? Haven't seen him around for a week or two. He could run us a picture thread on refretting.

For that matter, Stewart-MacDonald could sponsor it - considering all the extra product they'd suddenly be selling!

Cheers - C

Hey Ceri in this months February U.K. Magazine called Guitar & Bass they have a nice article called Fix your Frets it has a picture of Gary Moore on the front cover and theres also an article about the Squier Vibes in it.

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Posted: Thu Feb 12, 2009 7:52 pm
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Ceri wrote:
Where's Forum User Peter55 gone - the retired guitar tech? Haven't seen him around for a week or two. He could run us a picture thread on refretting.

For that matter, Stewart-MacDonald could sponsor it - considering all the extra product they'd suddenly be selling!

Cheers - C


Hahaha. Am i the only one who see's the funny side of that statement.

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