Hi,
I was reading Tim's post and didn't want to hijack it with this question, but it got me thinking about my Tele. I have had it since 1995. It was my only guitar for about 10 years and received average playing (home playing and the odd jam). After the 10 years I got into a regular band and practiced 2-3 times a month plus gigging every 6-8 weeks and was still my #1. There is a good amount of wear on the frets, more so than on the pix Tim posted. How does one know its time to dress, level or refret? In a couple of places it looks like the strings actually touch the fretboard.

Here is the best picture I could take. What do you guys think I need to do?

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If your frets are dented from the strings or smeared down from bending, it is at least, time for a G & P. As to whether you outright need new frets or not, look at the damaged frets from the side. If say, 2/3 of the meat is gone, it's time.

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You dig?

We want pictures!

Here's a knackered old neck I have kicking around. Way I'm seeing it, the frets in this first picture might get away with releveling and crowning:



Those nearer the nut in this second pic probably need replacing:



Matter o' fact, I was contemplating going fretless with this neck and using it for a Slidocaster. After I've done something about those beginner's divots in the fingerboard, that is...

Cheers - C

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What is a G&P?

The frets look similar to the first pic Ceri posted. I will try to get some pics uploaded soon, so you folks have a better idea of what I am talking about.

Thanks,

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Grind and polish...........

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The blues ain't nothin but a good man feelin bad.

If you want my opinion, I'd replace them in a heartbeat. With just a G & P, the majority of the fret meat on at least, the frets shown would have to be removed to make them level again. Consequently, there wouldn't be a whole lot of playing time left on what remains after that.

"Never try to circumvent the inevitable."

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You dig?

I'm with Martian. If they look like what Ceri posted replace em.

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

And I proudly lack a stick or a kazoo up my arse...........

I have added a picture for better reference. Here it is again.

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Per your picture, we can't really see how much meat would be left on that 2nd fret if one was contemplating a G & P. Of equal importance: Are there any more as bad as that one (or even worse)?

It looks like it could go either way. As you may or may not know, all the frets have to be ground down to the deepest string indentation on whichever fret(s) to make them all even again. Unfortunately, that means some of the healthier frets will lose a whole lot of meat in the process. Keeping this in mind, even if a G & P were done to that particular fingerboard, it would probably be the first and last one before a complete refret would be necessary.

Again, based on what I can deduce from the picture, I'd premise there isn't enough meat left to that 2nd fret. I am also cognizant of the fact that the other frets don't look that bad at all. Now if this 2nd fret is your worst one with no others even close to that kind of wear, I'd just replace that one fret and then proceed with a G & P where not a whole lot of meat would have to be removed to level them all.

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You dig?

I don't know if these will help or not. My camera sucks. It took about 20 shots before I got the last clear picture. The worst of it is on the frets shown. There may be some flatter frets near the 12th fret, but nowhere near as bad as the 2nd.

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I agree with Martians advice - that does look like a heck of a dint in the 2nd fret.

Based on your latest pictures and statement, I'd positively replace that 2nd fret and then proceed with a routine G & P.

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You dig?

Thanks for you help Martian. I guess I'll have to check out the local tech to see what this will cost me>

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Any time.

If you check with your local tech, make sure (s)he is competent in fret work, especially on a maple fingerboard. Keep in mind that your job is not a difficult project by any means. Start to finish including a setup should only take a couple of hours. If they say they otherwise and/or that they have to send it out, take your guitar and run!

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You dig?

Yoda

Looking at your picture, your frets need leveling rather than a grind and polish. Reason being the dent under the G string on the first fret.
That first fret governs the height of all the frets. It's usually marginaly higher than the rest of the frets.
So what needs to happen now is that the first fret needs to be ground down to chase that ding out. Then the rest of the frets leveled to that height. Regardless of the condition of the other frets.

What you need to also do is look at what is causing such wear. Make sure them strings are wiped down after playing. Sweat and skin oil is murder on frets.

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No no and no