Re-Fret Cost?

[Jeff_H]

Those of you that know, tell me what the going rate is, for a Les Paul. I asked one of the local shops that I buy some parts from, and they quoted $400-500 dollars. Sound right to anyone? Sounds high to me.

I've been playing my Dean Hardtail, which has jumbo frets, and my new strat neck which has 6105, which I think is medium jumbo. Anyhow, I prefer the feel of the frets on both of these guitars, primarily because of the shape. I dislike the "railroad tie" feel of the squared off frets on my LP. I think I would prefer it to be redone with larger frets, and of course rounder. I'm concerned that if I just get them re-shaped that they will feel too short, and I dislike small fretwire.

I don't really care if the binding nibs are replaced or not, I'd probably actually prefer they not be. I'm not concerned with re-sale value, or "vintage correctness on this axe...it's a player. I love the tone of the guitar, and just want it to play better.

If anyone has experience with a refret on a Les Paul, I'd like to hear what you refretted with, and what you thought of the result.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

Jeff, I have seen numbers from $200 on up but to be honest $400-500 for a LP seems steep. Te only fret jobs I can see costing numbers like that woudl be for a Bean or an aluminum neck Kramer or a Steinbuger...but only because those guitars don't have wood fret boards and most of the time people charge extra for that. I would say $275-325, give or take is about the average going rate around here.

 

[I_M_Ken]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

holy crap! $400!?!?
no way man, over here it costs like USD$270 tops for a fretting job on a gibby LP w/ binding

 

[krankguitarist]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

I paid about 360 for a re-fret job on my LP, that was 300 for the re-fret and 60 for the new nut. Though, the quality of the work was impeccable. Just make sure you get a competent person to do it.

 

[aleclee]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

When it comes to fretwork, I'd rather overpay for the right guy than get the wrong guy because I wasn't willing to pay enough. My advice is to find someone with an excellent reputation for fretwork and happily pay whatever they ask.

 

[the guy who invented fire]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

When it comes to fretwork, I'd rather overpay for the right guy than get the wrong guy because I wasn't willing to pay enough. My advice is to find someone with an excellent reputation for fretwork and happily pay whatever they ask.

Thats a good call!

I have a buddy that got a re-fret a few years back...found a guy to do it for $175 and was so excited...long story short the guy butchered the body around the neck joint and the fret job is only so, so to be honest...

 

[Jeff_H]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

I want someone good to do it, and I don't mind paying a fair price. I just thought the quote was a little high. I usually take my stuff out to Scott Splawn's place, but they are so busy. The last time I took a guitar out there for a fret level/dress, complete setup on my Floyd and new electronics, it was a 3 week turn around. Not the end of the world for good work, and a testement to their reputation. I'll call them after the holiday to see what they quote.

Anyone have any experience with going "jumbo" on a LP? That's what I'm leaning towards now, or at least something close.

 

[Skarekrough]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

When it comes to fretwork, I'd rather overpay for the right guy than get the wrong guy because I wasn't willing to pay enough. My advice is to find someone with an excellent reputation for fretwork and happily pay whatever they ask.

There's a local shop here that handles mostly high-end acoustic guitars.

I figure that if he's qualified to do a pre-war Martin than my 73' Deluxe is probably a safe bet in his hands.

It took him about three months to finally clear a day and just get it done, and it ran me $300 plus, but the results were worth it. He did a fantastic job and I'm very happy with the results.

He also did my 73' Strat as well about a month later. That was about a hundred more than the Les Paul due to the finish being thick and needed to be re-done due to damage he didn't want me to see. But, again, the results were worth it.

For me a re-fret is something I'd only go by the reputation and not really worry about the price tag. I was ready and willing to go upwards of $500 for each of them. To me it was important that the job was done well and done right.

 

[jeremy]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

if you want the little nibs on the fret ends itll cost ya more, but with out em $350 is a fair price for a bound rw/ebony board.

as for bigger frets, go for it

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

I feel like $275 is fair. The binding nibs would come off at that price, and I prefer that for playability anyway. It extends the playing surface. I'm not a fan of binding nibs they also encourage binding cracks with temperature and humidity changes. Some refrets are just "out and ins" and others are complete diagnostic and corrective measures. On any LP, between the assymmetrical cutaways and vintage style truss rod, I would always opt for a completely competent, compensatory refret. You will really notice the difference in the upper register, and when you're adjusting the truss rod.

As for fret size, I like jumbo wire on LP's but I prefer a thinner wire. So something around .095 x .048 is a good choice, but there are some triangular wires out there that are more like .110 x .050, but they feel like thinner wire because the crown is narrow. That would probably be my favorite on the LP. Even with that wire, if a guy preferred low riding vintage Gibson wire, a heavy level and crown would yield the perfect "worn Gibson" flattened pancake wire without much crowning, since it's more triangular to begin with.

Jeff I wouldn't mind doing this one for you if you'd like. I could fit it in now, but I don't know if you want to ship it off or go local.

 

[75lespaul]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

Got my 75 done a year or so ago for $300 and that included a new nut. Great job as well. If you live near me call Bill at Dave's Sound in Whippany NJ. 973 386-5840

 

[Aceman]

Re: Re-Fret Cost?

When it comes to fretwork, I'd rather overpay for the right guy than get the wrong guy because I wasn't willing to pay enough. My advice is to find someone with an excellent reputation for fretwork and happily pay whatever they ask.

+1,000,000 I'm gonna need this done to #1 someday and it scares the bejesus outta me!