Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

[Guitaraxz]

I was asked to re-fret an Ibanez Model 1910, few of these out there, aprox from 1971-72. The refret was going to be normal, untill I saw a BIG problem. But lets start with the pics of a normal re-fret.

The good, normal, sistem of a first cut with an exacto, heating the fret, and using a Stewmac wedge to avoid fretboard dammage. But can you see the real problem?

 

[dotsdad]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

How you mange to do that without screwing up the binding is beyond me. Kudos to you!

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

How you mange to do that without screwing up the binding is beyond me. Kudos to you!

Thank you dotsdad!

It took me too long to realise that the neck was totally wrong, if you take a look at this model here http://www.ibanezcollectors.com/discus/messages/16/18316.html?1157712607 you can see that they were made with 22 frets and the one I have in my hands only has 20! Not to mention that the binding has no dots, no marking, just totally white. Makes no sense.

What seems to be is that the previous owner liked a 25.5 speaking length, and asked some cheapo "luthier" to make him a new fretboard. I found no info on the original speaking length, however the only length that makes 22 frets fit is a 24.75!

So to return this early 70's guitar to it's original form the WHOLE fingerboard must be replaced.

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Let's take a closer look at the cheapo job they did, previously, to this guitar.

I put a 25.5 fret ruler, the nut and 12th fret are in line however the others in the first octave are slightly off. Especially the 3'd and 8'th.

On the second octave they are all waaay off!

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

In the past I have used steam too unglue fretboards, but on this ocation I wanted to try something different. The wood plane. I wanted to know how efective that is, and it is! In just 20 minutes I shaved almost all the board off, then I took a scraper and got that little shave off in 30-40 minutes.

Next up I have to make a fretboard and glue it, I'll keep ya posted!

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

You are braver than me my friend. I would have steamed that baby off.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

On a side note the truss rod is epic in that thing. Is that 10mm wide? looks like a gotoh or martin style one would pop right in there.

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

:

You are braver than me my friend. I would have steamed that baby off.

:laugh2:Ha!! That's what I normally do! I was just curious, and the heat! Oh god the heat. oed:The heat and humidity in my town is stiffling right now, one can't even sleep at night. The thought of strugling with steam right now was just horrible, so I gave the plane a shot. Not bad.

 

[GilmourD]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

That's crazy that the whole fretboard was previously replaced for scale length preferences. LOL

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

That's awesome work. Should be a nice flat surface for the new board too.

 

[Rand-O-Monium]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Jesus!

Damn.

Nice work!

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

In the past I have used steam too unglue fretboards, but on this ocation I wanted to try something different. The wood plane. I wanted to know how efective that is, and it is! In just 20 minutes I shaved almost all the board off, then I took a scraper and got that little shave off in 30-40 minutes.

Next up I have to make a fretboard and glue it, I'll keep ya posted!

That is just crazy man...awesome job!

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Been working more an an 8 string guitar which I have to finish pronto, maybe I should make a thread on that one, but here is the very little done on the fretboard. This is going to be a crazy week, I have to finish an 8 string (seems almost impossible) and start the finish, install a Fernandes Sustainer (I want one too!) and a fretboard.

Took a peice of rosewood and flattened one side, put the neck ontop & marked the width, used a WP to cut out the width.

Thanx for watching!

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Today, put the fretboard blank in a router sled.
The sled has a nice 20 degree radius, as one sets the depth of the bit you get the final thickness desired for the fretboard. Before I had just let one side nice and flat, now I have a consistent radius and correct thickness.

Next I just used some hand power to get a nicer surface.

Then cut the frets with a nice mitter, perfect alignment when compared to the fret ruler.

Tomorrow some fret bangin'.

 

[Guitaraxz]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Put some side dots in, grabbed some clamps and some cut up tire tubes, and glued.

The nails are just to keep the fretboard from slipping all over the place, I put them in the first and last fret slots, take em out after gluing and the fret will cover up the hole.

 

[Diego]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

I'm loving these!!

Keep 'em coming man!

 

[BTMN]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Nice work going on here! :headbang:

 

[King IzzO)))]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

Yeah dude, super job.

 

[dominus]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

But can you see the real problem?

You're left handed?

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Refretting an Ax.....big change of plans.

You're left handed?

haha the curse of the damned