re-fret procedure

Earwicker

Earwicker

New member
Anyone got a link or something that shows how a re-fret is done? I'm not thinking of trying it myself, but I'm curious about the procedure - especially how you remove the old frets...

My old Les Paul badly needs new frets, but I'd like to see what's involved first...

Thanks guys!

EW
 
Re: re-fret procedure

There is ALOT to learn my friend! Just a simple tutorial wont be enough of an idea of how to exactly do it! Buy a video or something like that. BTW, I wouldnt recomend it unless you are planning on doing them alot more in the future. You will have to drop some decent coin on tools, supplies, etc. to be able to do it.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

theodie said:
There is ALOT to learn my friend!
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I'm sure there is, I was more curious than bent on trying my hand at it! Over and above routine set-up and maintenance, I just stick to playing the bastards.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Earwicker said:
I'm sure there is, I was more curious than bent on trying my hand at it! Over and above routine set-up and maintenance, I just stick to playing the bastards.
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Who's your local luthier? I go to Hoffman's in Minneapolis for all my repair work, they let me watch all the time. I had a neck reset done on an old acoustic, I asked them to call me when they had the neck off just so I could look at it & watch them work, & they were happy to oblige. If your repair guy won't let you watch, find another repair guy. You are paying them a bunch of money, after all. Just don't be a jerk.

BBB
 
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Re: re-fret procedure

Big Boy Bob said:
Earwicker said:
I'm sure there is, I was more curious than bent on trying my hand at it! Over and above routine set-up and maintenance, I just stick to playing the bastards.[/QUOTE

Who's your local luthier? I go to Hoffman's in Minneapolis for all my repair work, they let me watch all the time. I had a neck reset done on an old acoustic, I asked them to call me when they had the neck off just so I could look at it & watch them work, & they were happy to oblige. If your repair guy won't let you watch, find another repair guy. You are paying them a bunch of money, after all. Just don't be a jerk.

BBB
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Whoa, that's where my dad went to get a nut on his reso.

(sorry for any sidelinage)
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Re: re-fret procedure

The old frets are removed by using a set of fret pullers to gently remove them. Fret pullers are a special type of pliers with the face ground flat, so it can get under the fret and lift it out. The trick is to remove the frets without damaging the fretboard. Not always an easy task on guitars with ebony boards. Do a Google search, there are several tutorials out there that show how it's done.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Earwicker said:
I'm sure there is, I was more curious than bent on trying my hand at it! Over and above routine set-up and maintenance, I just stick to playing the bastards.
Click to expand...

In a very cramped Nutshell, you spend approx. 10 hours time heating and pulling the old frets, leveling the fretboard, replacing the frets, leveling the frets, shaping the tangs and crowning.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Zerberus said:
In a very cramped Nutshell, you spend approx. 10 hours time heating and pulling the old frets, leveling the fretboard, replacing the frets, leveling the frets, shaping the tangs and crowning.
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Everybit of it! It usually takes me 10-12 hours or so for a fretjob!
 
Re: re-fret procedure

theodie said:
Everybit of it! It usually takes me 10-12 hours or so for a fretjob!
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How successful is it, at its best? Would it be obvious that the guitar had been refretted or would you never know the difference? Is a certain deterioration inevitable?

Thanks guys!

EW
 
Re: re-fret procedure

It makes A LOT of difference to the playing experience. Bends become effortless, the action can be lowered...

I've been playing for a year and I too am deep into tech stuff, but I suggest you don't jump for the hard stuff right away. Get the two Dan Erlewine's books (How to make your electric guitar play great and The Guitar repair book) and start with basic setup, then maybe nut work (Where I'm at now), and then move on on a beater guitar you got for CHEAP. Expect A LOT of refrets before getting it nigh on :) And a couple of destroyed necks.

Bottom line is, you can't do it unless you understand exactly WHAT you're doing, the effects it will have, how it will bring these effects and the best ways to get there.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Zerberus said:
In a very cramped Nutshell, you spend approx. 10 hours time heating and pulling the old frets, leveling the fretboard, replacing the frets, leveling the frets, shaping the tangs and crowning.
Click to expand...

Hey Zerb, if a reputable luthier does it, is there risk of damage to the binding on a USA Jackson. Man, I just love that binding - it's beautiful.

Anyway, my frets seem fairly worn after only about 3 years of playing. I think I fret hard. Anyway, I'm considering a refret or at least a levelling, since I can't seem to get the action down where I want.

Sidenote for LP owners, I noticed my binding sort of wraps up the sides of the frets. Does a refret damage that binding as well?

-Matt
 
Re: re-fret procedure

JammerMatt said:
Hey Zerb, if a reputable luthier does it, is there risk of damage to the binding on a USA Jackson. Man, I just love that binding - it's beautiful.

Anyway, my frets seem fairly worn after only about 3 years of playing. I think I fret hard. Anyway, I'm considering a refret or at least a levelling, since I can't seem to get the action down where I want.

Sidenote for LP owners, I noticed my binding sort of wraps up the sides of the frets. Does a refret damage that binding as well?

-Matt
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Bound necks are a bit trickier, and they sometimes cost more to refret because of the extra work involved. But it should be no problem for a decent luthier. Recreating the binding nubs on a Les Paul is a little tougher, a lot of luthiers simply don't bother with it. A really good luthier can recreate the binding nubs.
 
Re: re-fret procedure

rspst14 said:
Bound necks are a bit trickier, and they sometimes cost more to refret because of the extra work involved. But it should be no problem for a decent luthier. Recreating the binding nubs on a Les Paul is a little tougher, a lot of luthiers simply don't bother with it. A really good luthier can recreate the binding nubs.
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+1, also on a guitar without the nubs, it can be done by a decent luthier without damage to the binding fairly easily. If the luthier is decent, only a VERY well trained eye could be able to tell that it was re-fretted! That is if it can be told at all!
 
Re: re-fret procedure

DesertRose said:
10-12hrs to refret a guitar ...

wonder its expensive to refret a guitar
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Wish people who inquire about refretting would figure this out!:fingersx:

It takes that long to do a good job! Granted they can be thrown in like most guitar factorys seem to do it in a much quicker time but, it inst going to be a good job! Not one I would want my name assoiated with anyway!
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Earwicker said:
How successful is it, at its best? Would it be obvious that the guitar had been refretted or would you never know the difference? Is a certain deterioration inevitable?

Thanks guys!

EW
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Properly done a refret will be essentially undetectable, save for such things as replacing small, thin frets w/ Jumbo wire...

JammerMatt said:
Hey Zerb, if a reputable luthier does it, is there risk of damage to the binding on a USA Jackson. Man, I just love that binding - it's beautiful.
Click to expand...
No

Sidenote for LP owners, I noticed my binding sort of wraps up the sides of the frets. Does a refret damage that binding as well?

-Matt
Click to expand...

Binding "nibs" are generally planed off during the refret process.... there´s no real difference in feel afterwards because the missing material is compensated for by extending the fret over the binding (which is the way most guitars are made anyway).

The nibs can be saved (not "Recreated", the binding needs to be almost removed to do this), especially smart on a vintage instrument.... But you better be sitting down when I quote you a price, because the upcharge for that is more than the fretjob itself... ;)

DesertRose said:
10-12hrs to refret a guitar ...

wonder its expensive to refret a guitar
Click to expand...

Base Fee: 250€
Upcharge lacquered Maple: 50€
Upcharge Binding: 50€
Upcharge "wants to keep the nibs": 300€ (already includes standard Binding Upcharge)

These prices include a setup, polish and a new nut... many don´t include those but tack them on additionally... the famous "hidden upcharge" ;)
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Zerberus said:
Properly done a refret will be essentially undetectable, save for such things as replacing small, thin frets w/ Jumbo wire...


No



Binding "nibs" are generally planed off during the refret process.... there´s no real difference in feel afterwards because the missing material is compensated for by extending the fret over the binding (which is the way most guitars are made anyway).

The nibs can be saved (not "Recreated", the binding needs to be almost removed to do this), especially smart on a vintage instrument.... But you better be sitting down when I quote you a price, because the upcharge for that is more than the fretjob itself... ;)



Base Fee: 250€
Upcharge lacquered Maple: 50€
Upcharge Binding: 50€
Upcharge "wants to keep the nibs": 300€ (already includes standard Binding Upcharge)

These prices include a setup, polish and a new nut... many don´t include those but tack them on additionally... the famous "hidden upcharge" ;)
Click to expand...
Spot on as usual bro! I am in full agreement with everything you had to say!
 
Re: re-fret procedure

Earwicker said:
Anyone got a link or something that shows how a re-fret is done? I'm not thinking of trying it myself, but I'm curious about the procedure - especially how you remove the old frets...

My old Les Paul badly needs new frets, but I'd like to see what's involved first...

Thanks guys!

EW
Click to expand...


Caution! Red Alert! It's not that easy, if yoi never have done this... you can loose your guitar... I recomend that yout write an E-mail to the factory and pay for that job... But anyway you can buy a video to learn and make it by your self here... http://www.stewmac.com
 
Re: re-fret procedure

A factory re-fret??? Most factories do crap fret work to start with IMO! Why would you want to pay to have a sub-par job done all over again!
 
Re: re-fret procedure

theodie said:
A factory re-fret??? Most factories do crap fret work to start with IMO! Why would you want to pay to have a sub-par job done all over again!
Click to expand...
+1000000000000000 .... and I don´t know of many manufacturers that accept repair or Mod work from "ordinary joes", either ;)
 
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