I have a 97 strat plus and I came to a realization last night that I've had it for well.....going on 14 YEARS!! She needs some over haulin and a little TLC. A while back I threw some texas specials in it as the lace sensors didn't do the trick for me.

The guitar needs either a refret or some major fret dressing especially on the first two or three frets...grrr

The main thing is...The neck is a maple neck with maple fretboard....I was thinking about buying a replacement neck with a rosewood or ebony fretboard just for a change of pace.

What is everyone's take on it? Get the frets redressed? Get another neck and then eventually get the stock neck taken care of? Or should I just Give the thing a once over and run a setup on it again?

Do you like it? Don't mess with perfection.

_________________
I LIKE PIE!!!!!

IF I DO SOMETHING STUPID,DON'T SAY A WORD...

I love it to put it lightly...haha

I was just reading up on people loving the rosewood and ebony fretboards and since the guitar is already in need of some fret work I was thinking about trying out another neck just for the hell of it.

It's all part of the never ending search for tone and perfection...I've never done anything other than replace the pickups. I'm also looking at trying another tail peice just to see if I notice a tone difference or not.

I guess I'm just restless......all of you know how that is.

A lot of people lately seem to be asking whether to replace a neck rather than refret it. Do not be afraid of a refret! It will make your guitar play better, and sound better too! If you have to have a rosewood fretboard for a change of pace, buy a strat that has a rosewood board More than likely though, your current neck just needs a good fret dressing (level, crown and polish), and not anything as substantial as a total refret.

I agree. I ran her through my SCXD today before work and yeah.....amp is good and I couldn't tell anything lacking. I was looking at some luthier tools. I would like to just get what I need and dress the frets myself. I figure spending the money on the tools beats paying someone again later and also, I can take care of the frets whenever I feel the need. Basically when first three frets smile they have dimples...

Any suggestions on the bare necessities i need to give my girl and good dressing?

If you've got the coin for a new neck which you might not even like, mostly the feel I can't play on a rosewood fretboard anymore I don't like them, then I would say go for a new neck but if you really like the neck you have just get it re-fretted.

_________________
Tomaz

Gear:
2007 electron blue MIM standard strat
Mustang I amp, small but deadly
fender CD-140 sce acoustic
squier affinity strat
frontman amp came with squier.
digitech multi-effects pedal

Go to www.stewmac.com and order a guarian fret file ( the one that comes with 3 burrs ) and radiused sanding block to match your 9.5" fretboard......and some 320 adhesive sandpaper. Then buy some 0000 steel wool and a metal polishing compound to rub and smooth out the frets when the level and recrowning is done. Also, buy a book on guitar set-up and repair, such as Dan Erlewine's book!!!!! You can learn to do this type of work yourself.....and if you go slow and use common sense, you will be surprised at how well your first attempt will turn out!

Thanks Steve. I'm a little a head of you on this one. I was on stewmac.com a little bit ago pricing out some things. So, I'll just need the 320? I was reading up on some things and there was suggestions about 220 to 320 and then after the crowning starting at 600, 1200, then 2000 and like a fine burnishing cream. I was wondering about the steel wool and how that might work. If I can cut some corners and cost and get the same results I'm all for it.

Also, I was checking out the radius sanding blocks and wondering...what about me just using a straight block. I've been on stewmac and wondering when and why you would use a straight block as opposed to a radius block when leveling frets or the fretboard?

you are right i am fully agree with you .

Nue Science

And I am fully report you.

Alrighty, gonna be placing my order soon for fret dressing tools. What size file should I be getting? 97 strat plus... figure on a medium file? I can't tell my fret size to save my life. Checked my manual and nothing to even give me a hint as to medium....jumbo.....medium jumbo........or even Wumbo for all you Spongebob fans out there.

You have had the guitar for 14 years and it hasnt let you down. I say get a pro re-fret. If you are unhappy with the sound with the texas specials look into getting a complete pickup/electronics set from Slidders Pickups (Australia) they are f**king kick $@!.

Forum member Xhefri is the Strat Plus guru. Perhaps he'll pick up on this.

_________________
"Another day in paradise!"