Refret cost?

[PFDarkside]

I've got a American Fender Deluxe Plus Strat from 1995 that has pretty decent wear on the frets, especially in the open chording position and at the 12th fret areas. I believe the wear is too deep for a recrowning. It's a pretty typical Rosewood board Fender Strat neck. What would be the approximate cost of a refret for this guitar?

Also, would you ever consider refretting an import? My first real guitar was my trusty Epiphone Les Paul that I bought used in 1997, but has always remained one of my favorite guitars. It's got similar wear, but not as bad as the Fender. Would this be a case of taking it to a luthier to assess the possibility of a recrown, and barring that, put the money toward a real Gibson?

 

[MetalManiac]

Re: Refret cost?

Cost isnt the primary consideration IMO. Its finding someone who won't botch it. Hope you have much better luck than I have regarding this. I have terrible luck finding anyone who can do this properly, froma local yocal up to a seasoned "master' luthier some guy named "Redentore' who builds 10 thousand dollar instruments. Sounds like a straightforward task, but is anything but. YMMV.

 

[LReese]

Re: Refret cost?

I've lucked out in that regard - Found 2 guys, checked them out for some references on TGP 1st.

2nd guy is within 5 miles from me so he gets the jobs. 1st guy did my acoustic - good job, but had the 2nd guy make a new nut for it, which improved it quite a bit.

Whether or not to refret the Epiphone depends on whether you like the guitar or not.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Refret cost?

I do like the Epiphone, but fret wear isn't negatively impacting the playing of it yet. The Fender has pretty deep grooves, especially along the G in the first few frets.

What's a ballpark figure for a refret on a Strat neck? $200 or so?

 

[LReese]

Re: Refret cost?

I just had 2 Stainless refrets done - actually restore work so a bit more involved, but the refret portion was about $325 with a new nut. These were maple fretboards but only needed touchup work, not refinishing.

On the Epiphone, maybe the fret burnish trick might help you. I've done it to a number of guitars and its not likely that you will mess anything up. You just need a smooth steel object - a spoon works and adequate fretboard protection. I'm making the assumption you do not need a level.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: Refret cost?

My first real guitar was my trusty Epiphone Les Paul that I bought used in 1997, but has always remained one of my favorite guitars. Would this be a case of taking it to a luthier to assess the possibility of a recrown, and barring that, put the money toward a real Gibson?

You've already got a "real" Epi that is one of your favorite guitars. A "real" Gibson may not be able to replace that, and may in fact be a big disappointment.

 

[brunogio]

Re: Refret cost?

The cost was around $250-275 if I remember correctly. For what it's worth it was on a 1966 Gretsch with a Brazilian rosewood board.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Refret cost?

I take a base cost of 250€ including new nut and setup to the customer`s specs.

50€ upcharge each for Stainless steel, maple fretboard, and binding. Unless you just HAVE to keep the binding "nibs" on, which will be decided on a case by case basis but usually is about 150€ extra.

 

[LReese]

Re: Refret cost?

Hey Zerb (or anyone else who wants to respond)...

On the nibs thing - I'm facing a restore of a classic Jackson... Preserve nibs or no? Don't consider price in your answer, just what you think is best.

Sorry for the minor hi-jack... just been thinking about what I want to accomplish on this guitar.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Refret cost?

By classic I assume you mean a San Dimas /early Ontario era, approx 84-86?

If it were mine, I would leave them on, because I both like the feel and they are slowly appreciating in value, making removal (when viewed long term) a possible financial hit. But that`s thinking 20-30-40 years ahead from now, and the market could easily decide to swing the other way making the effort for naught.

But I only have to pay for the fretwire on my own guitars and it also keeps my skills sharp, which makes it a no-brainer for me.

BUT: define" restore"... if the guitar is currently driftwood, the world may look much different.

 

[LReese]

Re: Refret cost?

Its a 1984 Soloist.

By Restore I mean undo some modification damage I did when I was a teenager. It was originally a 3 x Single coil. I had 2 humbucker routes hacked into it. Want to get it back to as original shape as I can. Maybe not paint at this point.

 

[PunkKitty]

Re: Refret cost?

The guy I go to in Chicago charges $200 for a refret + the cost of a new nut. That's using nickel silver frets. Binding is a bit extra. He did two Heritages for me. I'm very happy with his work.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Refret cost?

Zerb, any pics to visualize "binding nibs"?

PunkKitty, do you mind PMing my the contact?

EDIT - I think I know what you mean. Mine doesn't have "nibs", it's clean. Is the proper way to not have the frets blasting through the binding (so it looks factory)?

 

[constant mesh]

Re: Refret cost?

Refrets are $150 and up.

When you find a competent tech take a closer look at one of his creations. Check for sharp fret ends, unseated frets, check if the fingerboard was level and how well he filled the chips. I know some techs like to cut wire to size, take a sight down the neck and check that all of the fret ends are in line. Filing down the ends flush looks way better. Pay close attention to his dressing and crowning, some tech like to cheat and just go over lightly with sandpaper just to knock off the edge. That is called the schoolbusing effect You get the idea.

 

[Zerberus]

Re: Refret cost?

Zerb, any pics to visualize "binding nibs"?

with nibs

w/o nibs

EDIT - I think I know what you mean. Mine doesn't have "nibs", it's clean. Is the proper way to not have the frets blasting through the binding (so it looks factory)?

On a factory bound (and not previously refretted) SD era Jackson (or any new Les Paul), the binding covers the fret ends. In 90-95% of the cased, the nibs are planed away when the guitar is refretted becasue it`s cheaper, faster, easier, and (with properly rounded ends) doesn`T constiotute a huge differnce in feel.

 

[PunkKitty]

Re: Refret cost?

Zerb, any pics to visualize "binding nibs"?

PunkKitty, do you mind PMing my the contact?

EDIT - I think I know what you mean. Mine doesn't have "nibs", it's clean. Is the proper way to not have the frets blasting through the binding (so it looks factory)?

I PM'ed you but there are no secrets here.

Lately I've been getting my work done at The Shake Shop in Chicago. Tom runs a one man shop and he does good work. It may take a few weeks to get a refret back from him though since he does all the work.

If you need it back faster than that, I recommend Chicago Fret Works. They have a few techs so they can get the work done faster. But it will be more expensive.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Refret cost?

Cool, thanks guys.

 

[LesStrat]

Re: Refret cost?

Now, if I could only find someone in this area to do such work....

 

[LReese]

Re: Refret cost?

Now, if I could only find someone in this area to do such work....

Probably one right under your nose. Found the two guys I have used on The Gear Page.