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Post subject: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 5:33 pm
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So, luckily my 2013 Am Std strat is still ok and nowhere near the point of needing a refret, but still I love it and fear the day I'll need to give it new frets.

Thing is, it has a rosewood fretboard and judging by the sides, it looks thin enough to be damaged when removing the frets. The 22th fret even sits on a protruding (floating) rosewood tip, as thin as a coin.

So, is there real danger here? I mean, do modern rosewood fretboards suffer often from refretting? Are there cases of actual damage to the rosewood?

I don't think the RW fretboard Fender uses is laminated or anything, but it's definitely thin. some of the frets sink almost through the RW.


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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 6:15 pm
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There is always a risk of damage when removing frets, rosewood likely more susceptible due to the more open grain.
A good luthier can pull it off, though some chip filling will likely be needed.


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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 6:27 pm
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So, finished maple is less chipping-suitable?


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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sat Jun 16, 2018 6:44 pm
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The finish is still an issue, particularly poly. I think nitro is a bit more forgiving.
Chips in the finish around the frets is not uncommon.

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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 9:02 am
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Having had a recent refret on a maple boarded Am Spec, my tech said that it's more difficult than a rosewood board, because a refinish of the neck is more likely to be required (thus more expensive). Having said that, he did a perfect job without the need for a refinish. As CB says, a good tech/luthier is required!

Cheers - Peter.


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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 9:10 am
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I have retired my "old faithful" and bought a replacement/s (good excuse) for fear of the neck being ruined and also that it may not feel the same.

In many respects it is up to you which you consider the lesser of the two evils. Having several Strats which I use regularly, while all different, I don't feel I absolutely must have one, or other, hung around my neck at any given time...so worn out frets could be a good excuse for another guitar. ;-)

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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 1:36 pm
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Good point.
A refret is tedious and time-consuming work. It incorporates all of the labor of a leveling/recrown job, with the addition of removing, bending, trimming, and installing the new frets, coupled with taking care to minimize damage to the board.
It pretty close to being a better deal to just buy a new neck for MIA, and absolutely cheaper to buy a neck for an MIM ($200 from Fender)... that's if you're talking about a modern "workhorse" gigging guitar, of course, you wouldn't want to re-neck your Dad's '59.

But I totally get having a neck that you are comfortable with and not wanting to chance something different, and of course, it's not really an option for a set-neck guitar.

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Post subject: Re: Having a 2010s Am Std Strat refretted?
Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2018 7:22 pm
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John Sims wrote:
I have retired my "old faithful" and bought a replacement/s (good excuse) for fear of the neck being ruined and also that it may not feel the same.

In many respects it is up to you which you consider the lesser of the two evils. Having several Strats which I use regularly, while all different, I don't feel I absolutely must have one, or other, hung around my neck at any given time...so worn out frets could be a good excuse for another guitar. ;-)



True... It's just that sometimes that old faithful just ain't that easily replaceable, sometimes you just LOVE the damned guitar.

Then it gets fishy when it really needs new frets.

Anyway, like I said, mine is probably decades away from that. Hell, given my lifestyle, I doubt these frets will outlive me at all :lol:


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