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Post subject: Fretwire width
Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:19 pm
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Hi, I am thinking about getting my fretboard refretted. What is the difference between wide fretwire and narrow fretwire, other then preference? Is one more or less likely to buzz? Any trade offs? Thanks.


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 3:37 pm
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The only way to give ya a good answer on that is to know why you want to change out your fretwire. Whats wrong with it now?

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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:11 pm
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I had my refretted with jumbo fret wire and it was a huge improvement. It makes it much smoother to play. Everyone who's played it remarks at how nice the action is . . .


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:17 pm
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I know it sounds silly, but all that is wrong is the fret edges are sharp. This was my first Fender and I did not notice it much when I got it. Since then I got another Fender off eBay, it had been refretted by the previous owner. I remember thinking the neck was so nice on the eBay Strat. When I went to play my original Strat I realized what was different. The frets on the eBay Strat are a little narrower and the edges are perfect. I think I kind of got spoiled by the custom fret job on the eBay Strat. Now it bothers me, mostly when I go from one to the other.

I'm thinking im gonna get the same fret wire on my eBay Strat put in my other Strat. I just wanted to see if there was anything else I should know before I do this.

Can I just get the edges fixed? Or would it cost about the same to get new frets put in as well? Thanks.


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:26 pm
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I strongly recommend you do not get your guitar refretted if you do not need to. Properly done, a neck can be refretted several times, but you're putting it under stress every time, and eventually it won't like it. We try to go as long as possible before a refret.

Several possibilities. You may just have badly dressed frets straight from the factory. Or: changes in humidity can cause previously good frets to start to stick out of the edge of the fingerboard.

Solutions. Find a good tech, usually via a guitar shop. To tidy up your fret ends is a modest job and won't cost much - a fraction of a refret. And it's kinder to your fingerboard.

Or: buy this book and learn how to attend to your frets yourself. The journey begins...

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Books,_plan ... _Step.html


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 4:37 pm
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I'll also add that if you don't need to get the neck refretted, then it's probably best to hold off, unless you have a specific reason for wanting jumbo frets.

In my case, I'd worn the frets down to the point where it was necessary. I have an '83 Walnut Strat that I don't play because the frets are worn, so I plan to eventually have it refretted. It's a limited edition so I don't want to ruin the fretboard . . .


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 5:48 pm
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Perhaps this will help:

http://edenhaus.com/frets.htm


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:13 pm
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Thanks for the info. I think what you are saying is having the frets ripped out is not good for your guitar but over time it may be needed. So you want to do it only if it really needs to be done. I'm guessing the solvent they use to loosen the frets is bad for the fretboard.

I'll just get the edges cleaned up, and have the frets polished and leveled. Does this sound more reasonable?


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Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 6:32 pm
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CloseYetFar wrote:
Thanks for the info. I think what you are saying is having the frets ripped out is not good for your guitar but over time it may be needed. So you want to do it only if it really needs to be done. I'm guessing the solvent they use to loosen the frets is bad for the fretboard.

I'll just get the edges cleaned up, and have the frets polished and leveled. Does this sound more reasonable?


Yup, that's the way to go.

_________________
"is that a real poncho...i mean
Is that a mexican poncho
Or is that a sears poncho?
Hmmm...no foolin ...." FZ


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