So I installed my new wiring harness into my 80's MIJ strat yesterday... and it sounds great to me... the pickups seem kinda hot yet warm.. tone is fine.. But then again I don't really know what to compare it too... I am still very new to fender guitars...

The only thing that is aggrevating me is that I cannot get the action low without fret buzzing.. All my other guitars have the action much lower... and I cannot tolerate playing on a neck with high action...

the guitar itself needs some major fretwork.. I would estimate to get it done by the shop that I like to use would cost about $150... Maybe more... the first two frets are so bad, they would have to be replaced...

So what would you do... Spend $150 on fretwork or $250-$300 for a new neck ? I am leaning towards a new neck...

And let's assume I have the know how to do a guitar set up.. but just not fretwork..

For the sake of having a new fret on the first fret , then leveling it to the other worn frets. I think your wasting your time on a partial fretjob.
Unless of course you adore the neck and cant find anything else like it. (theres so much more to a neck than the frets) In which case have it all refretted.

What action height are you trying to acheive?

_________________
No no and no

Thanks for the response niki... I hate to admit it... But I never measure my height... I only know by feel...

One thing I completely overlooked was the nut on my MIJ neck... I may be able to lower the action there with some filing and that would at least help a bit... Besides, I love playing with my nuts...

I agree a partial refret is not an effective option when I really think about it...

You will be able to lower your action at the nut, however I dont think it will be of any benefit in this case.

Your first fret governs the height of all others, your nut is slotted to that height. So if your first fret is badly worn or pitted but the 2nd is ok, by lowering the nut slots you could just get open string buzz off the 2nd fret instead of the first which is the usual culprit.

You'd have to be mighty tasty with a nut file to get that cut right. I wouldnt want to attempt it.

_________________
No no and no

Personally I would stay with the original neck and have fret/nut work done it.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

It all depends on how hight the nut is keeping the strings as it currently sits... But I do get your point... I just need to consider this... I am at work now I will take a look at it when I get home...

I just got off the phone with the guy who has done fret work for me before... And he said the turn around time is less than one week and the work would be $125 max...

that sounds good to me... I am taking your adivce CA...

He has done fretwork for me before and I was amazed with how low he got the action on my 335

Excellent price. Let us know how it turns out.

_________________
Chet Feathers

Authorized TonePros Dealer
Authorized WD Music Products Dealer
F/A Official Southpaw Compliance Certification Tester http://faamps.com/

http://www.facebook.com/cafeathers


I didn't Lose my mind, I traded it for this guitar.

Ding Ding we have a winner.

For me the neck is in many ways the most important part of the electric guitar, as far as playability goes. it's where you touch it, and I would be loathe to change the necks on any of my favorites, because for me the feel defines the guitar.

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Hi CajunBlues: I'd go get my fretting tools and have at it, that's what I'd do. But I suspect that ain't much use to you, is it...?

Cheers - C

well we may have to get a new neck after all... my tech says it has a bow in it.. he is going to try re adjust it somehow and let it set overnight and he is going to call me to tell me if it is salvageable... I am not sure exactly what he is going to do.. that is not my area of expertise... we will see..

Great news tech just called and the fret work/ setup is a go.. The neck will be just fine...

In my experience a neck has to be REALLY REALLY bad to not be salvageable.

Long ago i got ahold of a couple otherwise ruined guitars, for free, and used them to practice fretwork on. it's easier than most people think, as long as you are a patient sort, and work carefully. Then you can be like Ceri!

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.

Or you can be like Twelvebar. I remember a very neat photo he showed of a warped guitar neck he fixed with a bit of skillful clamping.

Bent neck? Pah - nutt'n.

Cheers - C

Ceri that wasn't my picture (though I did post it,), because it was exactly the method i had used 20 years prior, or so, back before the digital age made documentation so cheap and easy (still tedious, but at least you can discard bad photos without paying for, or developing them,)...

man I feel old for having written that!

_________________
I'm not an expert, but I play one on the internet.