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Should you have frets installed on 60's defretted bass
Yes 20%  20%  [ 2 ]
No 40%  40%  [ 4 ]
No 40%  40%  [ 4 ]
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Post subject: Fretting a 60's unfretted bass
Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 10:39 am
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Hi guys,

a friend of mine bought a p-bass some time ago, I believe its a 1963. Apparently it had been painted in some puky punk rock green and purple, and defretted.

He stripped the paint to bare wood, and only uses it as a spare for shows, his normal bass being a Jazz bass from the early 70's.

I'm trying to get him to get it re-finished to an original color, and it seems to me that he might want to also get it fretted to have an option to use it as one of his main basses.

Can it be refretted with a reasonably low probability of damaging the neck beyond repair ? Is it worthwhile to do that, and are there recommendations for how to go about it ? I supposed it would have to be done by a pro. The neck is rosewood.

Any thoughts or advice ?


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Posted: Mon Dec 07, 2009 3:25 pm
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Depends on how good the luthier that you're taking it to honestly because it CAN be done but can get a little messy and the last thing you want to have happen in the process is having an unplayable neck due to how much the neck has been through. Remember, that having a 1963 first of all in my opinion defretting it is not a good idea >_< but since you're past that it's completely up to you just make sure you find a guy who know's his stuff when it comes to fretting so you keep that baby functional!

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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 6:27 pm
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Yeah, I agree, if he is to have ot done he should get it done by someone who has enough experience to make sure he won't mess up !


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Posted: Tue Dec 08, 2009 7:35 pm
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Once defretted, filled and sanded smooth, necks can not be refretted due the epoxy filler being permanent. The epoxy is not receptive to refretting.


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Posted: Wed Dec 09, 2009 12:32 pm
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Have it checked out by a competent repairman/luthier for a fret job.
I would say refret it if its possible, if the bass will be more useful to you with frets than without. It will certainly be closer to original spec with a fretted neck.

I didn't see any description of the current condition of the finger board and what if anything is filling the fret slots.
If epoxy was used on the neck to fill the slots it will be very difficult to remove. If wood filler or wood strips were used, it will be much easier to refret the neck.

Again, I say have it checked out by someone competent. A 1963 Fender bass is certainly worth restoring.

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Posted: Sat Dec 12, 2009 5:58 am
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Good tip, I agree that if epoxy is used it might be a problem. I have been reading about re-fretting and it appears that some use epoxy, some don't, but I believe that epoxy is not recommended.


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