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Post subject: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 2:50 pm
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It is time to replace the original frets on my 1975 Strat…perhaps overdue…see pix.


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I discussed my options with my local ship (Gryphon Stringed Instruments) and they had two recommendations which are both not exact restorations since they don’t spray poly at their shop…

Option one would be to use slightly wider fretwire to cover any chipping that may occur to the existing finish when they remove the current frets. I’d probably need to see and feel the likely substitute to know if there would be a significant difference in touch, and there is a risk that not all of the chips would be covered. Some additional sanding and polishing may make this less noticeable though likely not perfect…but the existing finish and accumulated discolorations would remain.

Option two would be to sand off all of the existing finish from the fingerboard and use the original width fretwire. The now bare maple would be treated with an oil finish that would dry and harden to something sufficiently hard and would resemble the look of the current satin finish on maple fingerboards. They could also work to match the color of the fingerboard to the back of the neck…certainly a skill event without guaranteed results. Or, they could remove all of the poly and simply give it a contemporary finish front and back. But, it would not match the texture and feel of the body as well as it does now.

So…I’m looking for comments from those of you who have already replaced frets on a 70s maple fingerboard. Feedback on either of these two methods? A third I should investigate?

I’ve waited so long it is not urgent, but I’m getting to the point of needing to do something, and I’d like know what others have done…

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:12 pm
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I would select option "2" and pray for a satisfactory outcome.

Those original frets are definitely toast.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:26 pm
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I've seen worse fret damage fixed with a fret dressing.
In fact one example was on one of my guitars.
the frets will be a little lower, but there's more than enough fret left there for a fret dressing.

Of course you can still get a refret if you don't want them much lower than they are now.
But a skilled fret dressing would give you a good result as well.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 3:31 pm
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I'd agree with zontar there, those frets have enough metal left to withstand a fret dress. Next time they wear down you'll have to get some replaced though.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 4:43 pm
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Make sure you use a good tech to re-fret, those frets were not put in the way you think they were slide in from the bass side not pressed like now days.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 6:19 pm
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I agree there's life still left in those frets, not much maybe but some.

If it were me and I insisted on new frets I'd refret with stainless in medium jumbo or perhaps a narrower vintage style width but a tad taller than vintage spec. Either way, I'd go stainless. (Jascar?)

Two cents.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 7:00 pm
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BMW-KTM wrote:
I agree there's life still left in those frets, not much maybe but some.


:roll:

Trying to dress those motocross speedbumps into something resembling uniformity makes as much sense as a hair transplant for a terminally-ill cancer patient with four months left. I wouldn't waste a dime on them.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 7:29 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
BMW-KTM wrote:
I agree there's life still left in those frets, not much maybe but some.


:roll:

Trying to dress those motocross speedbumps into something resembling uniformity makes as much sense as a hair transplant for a terminally-ill cancer patient with four months left. I wouldn't waste a dime on them.

Arjay



Thanks Arjay! A colorful and thought-provoking image for sure...but I am forced to agree. My first fret is starting to look like the nut, and 9-10 are barely above the fretboard...hammer-ons are just not happening...they need to be replaced.

Part of my delay has been not wanting to make serious changes to the existing look-and-feel. I'm concerned that the non-poly finish will look wrong. I'm tending towards a second opinion (third?) that can reapply a similar finish to the existing, but that may be going further into the unknown...

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2007 Fender Standard Stratocaster
2012 Taylor GA3-12
2012 Squier Telecaster
2017 Les Paul Kit


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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:05 pm
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Find a good luthier and let him take a look at it. Get a second opinion if necessary. The stainless idea may or may not be a good idea for your situation. Give the option due consideration and act accordingly. They'll likely add 30-40 percent of the total re-fret cost since that material is so much more difficult to work with. I would choose standard wire but that's just me. It's your guitar, you make that call since you'll know best.

Arjay

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sat Dec 28, 2013 9:48 pm
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Hard to find a luthier thats going to slide frets in place the old fashion way of Fender, most won't even try to to tap them out they want to pinch them. Most fret jobs I've done on old necks(80's back) I try to tap out old but press new in If someone wanted the old way I would try but at substantial cost increase and advise against. Fender had machine that did this that was foot operated and would pull the wire thru.

The trick is to remove without having to add any made up filler to chips but they are easy to hide on a maple board most times.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:18 pm
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FWIW:
Have to agree with the folks saying you can get away with a dressing.
There's plenty left on those frets!

Frankly, I'd go one step further... Level them... then re-crown.. then polish...
There's enough there to do that... be just like NEW frets. After that... yeah, you'll be looking at a re-fret down the line.
All the Best with your decision.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 1:36 pm
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I don't know what some are seeing but those frets do not look like they can be re-crowned by the appearance in the pictures. I have done a lot of fret dressing in my time and they look beyond that. Maybe in person they look better but not in pic's.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:09 pm
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cvilleira wrote:
Hard to find a luthier thats going to slide frets in place the old fashion way of Fender, most won't even try to to tap them out they want to pinch them.


Feline Guitars in London do it right ...


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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 3:31 pm
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GilgaFrank wrote:
cvilleira wrote:
Hard to find a luthier thats going to slide frets in place the old fashion way of Fender, most won't even try to to tap them out they want to pinch them.


Feline Guitars in London do it right ...


Thats how I do it Frank when they are vintage, a punch an a soft face hammer. Taught that way over 30 years ago. My hammers heads can be changed from nylon, brass or copper head. comes in handy. Plus good punches.

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Post subject: Re: Fretting over frets
Posted: Sun Dec 29, 2013 9:10 pm
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Retroverbial wrote:
BMW-KTM wrote:
I agree there's life still left in those frets, not much maybe but some.


:roll:

Trying to dress those motocross speedbumps into something resembling uniformity makes as much sense as a hair transplant for a terminally-ill cancer patient with four months left. I wouldn't waste a dime on them.

Arjay

Hey, each one of us can decide to do what we want with our gear--but I had worse damage on a guitar and a fret dressing worked fine, and was way cheaper than a refret would have been.
Someone other than me had abused the frets.
The guitar still plays well many years later--no need for a refret or fret dressing, although I could probably use one on my mMustang, which isn't as bad as the pictures above.

But ultimately it is Hey Joe's choice and either one would work.

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