I bought my trusty MIA Strat Plus "used" a few years back and she was already well-played at that point. Now a few years on I really need to sort out the frets - they're quite badly worn in places. Some places flattenned, some more luke "notches". Obviously I need to talk to a luthier/guitar tech, but can anyone give me any guidance on whether I'll need a refret or whether dressing is likely to be enough? i.e. how much wear can be ground & dressed out, and at what point does this become untenable?

I know it's a tricky question to ask in abstract, but I'm just after some view and experiences so I've got some idea what to expect when I talk to a guitar tech. Also, are partial refrets a good option, or is it really an all-or-nothing thing? Any idea of typical costs?

Thanks
Paul

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Re-frets are typically an all-or-nothing-at-all proposition and it sounds like your Strat is ready for one.

Arjay

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"Here's why reliability is job one: A great sounding amp that breaks down goes from being a favorite piece of gear to a useless piece of crap in less time than it takes to read this sentence." -- BRUCE ZINKY

+1

Definitely sounds like a re-fret. AS to cost...........depends where you are in the UK............

Up this way, ABerdeen, well......sit down.......probably the guts of a couple of hundred quid..........so if you are further south it should be considerably cheaper!

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

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

Yikes!! That's why I've been putting it off! But it's a great guitar, so probably worth it to me. I don't suppose anyone has any recommendations for Luthiers in Hampshire or Sussex? (UK)
J White is highly recommended, so I'm thinking of talking to him, but any other suggestions would be welcome..

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It's definitely worth getting it done......makes a HUGE difference!!!!

Don't know if he does repairs but you have Nick Benjamin down there, makes Newton Faulkner's acoustics, he could point you in the direction of a good one.

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speak slowly I'm a drummer too!!

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

do it yourself.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."

When say, two thirds of the fret meat is gone on several frets and half the meat is gone on several others, it is definitely time. Admittedly, I don't know English Pounds but in American Dollars, the going rate in my neck of the woods starts at around $220. At this point, most players have to consider several things:
- Is the guitar worth it to begin with?
- Do you like that particular neck enough to sink the big bucks into it?
- Who would you trust for a genuine, pro refret?
- For this kind of money, would an aftermarket neck be a more reasonable alternative?
- How much longer can you get away with the current frets before you start damaging the fingerboard?
- Do it yourself? Contrary to what seems to be a growing trend of, "Do-It-Yourselfers", frets are one of those things you don't screw around with on a premium instrument. 'Practicing' on POS guitars while referencing some 'how to' books and/or You Tube videos will not make one an 'expert' either. Consider too, the motivation behind those who teach such things to the masses in these 'armchair' formats.

This is one of those tasks where even with just a mere G & P, irreparable damage can be done not only to whats left of the existing frets but to the fingerboard as well.

Unfortunate but true, like my guitar teacher said to me (which now seems to be) a thousand years ago, "Guitar is an expensive hobby."

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You dig?

yes it is but its a great personal investment.

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63supro
"The good thing is in a club situation, most of the patrons are trashed and really can't tell the difference."