Looking for somebody to do a refret

[InbredJunk]

I have an 03 or 04 epiphone gothic explorer that I absolutely love. All mahogany, rosewood fingerboard , no binding. I want to have some larger frets installed, and there isn't a shop within 300 miles. Does anyone here on the forum do refrets? I don't have the tools or the time to mess with it, so any help is appreciated.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

If you love an instrument, refrets are a really bad place to try to save money.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I'm not sure that I understand what you are saying.

 

[greekdude]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I have an 03 or 04 epiphone gothic explorer that I absolutely love. All mahogany, rosewood fingerboard , no binding. I want to have some larger frets installed, and there isn't a shop within 300 miles. Does anyone here on the forum do refrets? I don't have the tools or the time to mess with it, so any help is appreciated.

if this is the first fretwork to happen on this guitar, why don't you try with some fret dressing on your own? Usually fret dressing is the first thing to do when dealing with fret issues. How worn are your frets? Last fret level i did on my Kramer 210, the frets were *very* low (on the 0.3mm range), but still plays real good. I own 4 guitars, and the only one to have a refret was my Aria Strat from 1984. I mean, with instruments dating back 10 years as your epi, a fret dressing is usually the easy cure.
Also many people are against refret on older instruments. Personally i was happy with the refret on my Aria Strat.

 

[InbredJunk]

The frets aren't worn bad enough to require leveling. I do leveling, recrowning, and polishing on my own guitars with great results in my opinion. I just want to have some taller frets installed with a new nut. I want it to play more like my jackson. I hit the strings hard and fret them pretty hard too. I have more of a leggato style of lead playing and the shorter frets really don't allow me to achieve the speed and note clarity that I can on my jackson.

 

[LReese]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

Here's the guy I use:

http://aperioguitar.com

Have to say - with shipping its going to be pretty darned expensive - probably more than its value... But if you love the instrument..

I've had 4 guitars refretted by Aperio last year and some significant restore work - I'm a very happy customer.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

His work looks great. Actually, shipping isn't that bad. 33 bucks each way. I think I'm gonna shoot him an email. Thanks man.

 

[Bludave]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I would NOT recommend sending your guitar to anyone without getting a recommendation. A bad fret job can ruin your playing experience. Here is a place I found online and that typed I have no personal experience of how good the work is?? http://killervintage.com/

Tou also might want to try this guy.... I'm not sure if the number is right but google will help

Goez Instrument Repair in Maplewood.

314-647-1211

This is THE dude. Skip Goez has done work for many, many pro's. Most of the gigging guys around these parts use him. Clapton has used him. He did a GREAT job on my guitar. $100 flat fee for initial set-up. After that, *lifetime* adjustments as long as you provide your own strings.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

Did you have him refret your guitar?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I'm not sure that I understand what you are saying.

Cheap fretwork is rarely worth the money. Don't limit your search to forum members but do seek out references. My go-to guy for fretwork is Phil Jacoby (www.philtone.com). As more of my guitars get stainless steel frets (5 currently have 'em), my need for fretwork declines.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I understand. I figured that there might be a guy here that runs a shop or something. I believe I'm sold on the stainless steel frets tho.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

Looks like as good a place as any to get a mail in fret job , cheaper then my guy and they look to be pretty serious about SS. With that much experience I would have to vote for aperio guitar and LReese had 4 refrets done by the guy , that is a pretty glowing recommendation. SS is such better and stronger material then nickel , lasts forever and generally removes any and all trouble with frets.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I really appreciate the help guys

 

[Bludave]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

Pick up the phone and make some calls. Get a feel for the techs ability. Ask him:
how long he has been working on guitars?
How many refrets he has done?
Can you give me any references?

And by all means call ALL the references. Having a good guitar tech is like having a good Doctor. You can put your guitar in the hands of somebody who knows what to do with it. Its a very good feeling.

 

[InbredJunk]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

Yea. There are some guys around at local music shops that do electronic and setup work, but the refer all fret work to st Louis. J gravity I believe. He doesn't do stainless frets tho. I will call both of the recommended guys y'all mentioned. I really appreciate the help.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

If you're set on stainless frets, make that your first question. So many shops don't offer stainless that it'll save you a lot of time.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

As someone who has installed plenty of SS frets, I can tell you there is very little difference in the work involved (vs nickel). Any shop that refuses to do SS is only costing themselves money and customers.

 

[Oinkus]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I think it is how hard SS is and the damage it does to tools. Some people like to skimp on things you should never cut corners on like having good quality tools. I want a diamond file to last forever , uh sorry not going to happen.

 

[Ayrton]

Re: Looking for somebody to do a refret

I think it is how hard SS is and the damage it does to tools. Some people like to skimp on things you should never cut corners on like having good quality tools. I want a diamond file to last forever , uh sorry not going to happen.

That is my point, the wear on the tools is negligible. The only tool that I killed with SS sire was my original Stew Mac/Channel Lock nippers. I replaced them with some hardened flush cutters and that was that.

I see guys using the same file on nickel for years, and I am still on my original set of files I bought almost 10 years ago. Granted, I don't do this for a living, but I have close to 100 SS fret jobs on my files, and they still cut fine.

I think it has to do more with lazy, and not wanting to learn something new. Unfortunately this is an attitude I run into frequently in the guitar repair community. One of the main reasons I taught myself to work on my own guitars.