Should I Fret?

[BriGuy1968]

So I've started another build that's gonna require a 24 fret neck with a locking nut. I found a neck that I am pretty sure will work well for me for really low dollars, but it doesn't have any frets installed. It's a new, unfinished neck, so there wouldn't be any wear and tear to deal with.

Here's the thing… I've never done frets before. This neck is cheap enough that I feel like the worst thing that would happen is that I would screw it up and call it a learning experience, but at the same time I would really prefer not to screw it up and have it be usable! How tough is it to do? What would I need in terms of tools? What do you guys think?

 

[The JEM Ghost]

Re: Should I Fret?

I never have done a refret job myself, let that be clear before I start my post!
If you don't want to take the chance of ruining the guitar neck, I would not try it myself if I were you BriGuy. On the other hand if you are willing to take the risk, and see it as a learning experience when you should ruin it, you may take the chance and try it. After all it must be GREAT if you are able to do stuff like this yourself in my opinion!!
If you want to give it a try, you should find all the gear you need at luthier stores, StewMac must carry most of the gear needed, if not all the gear you'll need. It could be handy if you have a press drill (or can use one from someone you know who has one), not to drill any holes but to use it as an actual press to put the frets in firm (you'll see it in one of the videos below.)
There are plenty of tutorial videos on youtube where you could learn from if you should take it on (I'll just give you a couple of links but there is much more out there):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eset4WH9rKs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iTR5I52JJyY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1K2GIB4uz3U

There are surely people on the forum that are able to refret and have the expertise to tell you more then what I did here, but I just wanted to give you the videos (there are more of them on youtube, just a small selection here) and I hope they will give you some insight on what's to be done and what tools you will need for it!
Good luck if you decide to go with it BriGuy, I hope you can pull it off!
But once again, if you don't want to risk damaging or destroying the neck, I would not take the risk and hand it out to a luthier. If you do want to learn it on the other hand, you will need to start once. Either way, I wish you the best of luck with your new project!! :fing2:

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Fret?

I have built many guitars from scratch. Getting the frets in is not only the most precision based part of building, but its also the only area of guitar building that requires specialist tools not available from local hardware stores.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Should I Fret?

I have built many guitars from scratch. Getting the frets in is not only the most precision based part of building, but its also the only area of guitar building that requires specialist tools not available from local hardware stores.

That's kind of how I'm seeing it as well, and the need for tools is part of the equation. I've shopped around a little and a guy can go broke quick buying luthier tools! Any idea what I really need? I don't really want to buy a few hundred dollars worth of tools to experiment with a $30 neck that may or may not come out okay, but I might be willing to invest $100 in tools for the learning experience.

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Fret?

Well, unless you are given the precise width of the slots you'll probably need a fretsaw, as you need to match the tang of the frets you'll be putting in......in fact given different size frets need a difference slot depth you'd need the saw to ensure the right depth cut even if you fluked the width.
Then if your fave fretwire doesn't come pre-bent then you need a fretwire bending machine.
Then a caul and support for the drillpress/arbor press.
Glue of course as they should be glued in.
Then a straightedge to level the frets over the whole neck.
Then a crowning file for re-establishing the right crown for your shaped frets
Plus sundry files and polishing papers to shape, smooth and polish the top, fret bevel and rough cut ends.

I think you end up with $200-$300 just in tools in the end.

 

[treyhaislip]

Re: Should I Fret?

Part of me says to just go for it and learn from it. BUT...if it is going to cost a ton in tools then kinda voids the point of getting the cheap (in price, not quality) neck.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Should I Fret?

Hence the dilemma... [emoji20]

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Fret?

For not much more you could buy the wood and do it all.

The way I see these sort of things is you never skimp on necks. Either go something like Warmoth or do homebuilt.
If you go the latter, it will be a great way to see just why quality necks cost what they do.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: Should I Fret?

Is it preslotted?

As I told a woodworking coworker, if the frets aren't perfectly placed, it ceases being an instrument and becomes a piece of art/furniture very quickly.

 

[BriGuy1968]

Re: Should I Fret?

Is it preslotted?

As I told a woodworking coworker, if the frets aren't perfectly placed, it ceases being an instrument and becomes a piece of art/furniture very quickly.

Yes, it's pre-slotted. In fact, that's the only reason I even considered it.

I'm starting to think that I'll just keep looking... [emoji53]

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Should I Fret?

I think you should buy the basic tools and go for it: Fret bender, Fret puller/nipper, saw, you probably already have files and a hammer right. You'll want to level them when you're finished so a radius block and 300 grit crowning file. That's not too bad.

I'm thinking of refretting and reradiusing my Epi 335 down to an 11" radius, so I'm investigating all the basic tools as well.

 

[Dave Locher]

Re: Should I Fret?

Go for it. You dont need a lot of tools. Buy pre-bent frets on eBay or Philadelphia Luthiers Supply. Cut a piece of hard wood (oak or maple) to use as a caul to press the frets in with an arbour press or drill press. Just cut it on one side to match the radius of the fingerboard. Buy some decent nippers to trim the ends, then hand file them flush. That is all you need to create a playable neck. Let a trained tech do the levelling and crowning.

I built a neck from scratch with no prior experience and I think fretting was the easiest part. And that was before I even knew you can buy frets pre-bent.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Should I Fret?

Brian, I concur that you go for it if you have the extra income to take the leap. I would first dive head first and binge watch every YouTube video you can to get an idea of what's entailed so you're not later blindsided by something that let's you sitting with hundreds of dollars worth of tools in the end.

However, all that being said, once you get that first one under your belt, it will be a learning experience that will pay for itself by being more self reliant. You could do a couple cheaper necks as your real life learning tools and still end up with hopefully all of them being legit, and still come out cheaper than a Warmoth neck.
Plus you'll have a pretty cheap education once its all said and done.
You're obviously really into modding and doing the work yourself, so I encourage you to go for it man! You only live once!! Besides, since I know you, perhaps I can send one your way...
I've been getting really good with my full fretboard scallops, so keep me in mind if you ever decide to go that route and I'll treat you very good on that.

Take your time and really think about all that it entails tool wise and whatever, but I know you have the desire and ambition to tackle this with no problem bro!

**edit
I have an old junk neck you can have for a guinny pig to practice removing the frets and also reinstalling the old ones,etc... to get a feel for the fret press and fret pliers etc..

Maybe you can find some old leftover wire from someone on here to also practice with..

 

[AlexR]

Re: Should I Fret?

Since the posts that have come after mine, I'll add in that the physical task of getting the frets in is never the issue with making a good neck.....its the levelling and finetuning that is the issue. However the quality of the former will certainly influence the time spent to get the latter. It will also influence the likelihood of the neck to be flung across the room in disgust.
The frets have to be well and evenly seated......that is the absolute key. This requires the slot to be right, the prebending to be the right amount and the installation to be even and follow the radius all the length of the fret.

 

[Obsessive Compulsive]

Re: Should I Fret?

I have a similar idea as metalchurch79. Since you are into building your own, buy the tools and a couple more of those low-dollar necks and practice on them. The tools may cost a lot of money but they are an investment.

Once you've nailed it you'll have acquired a new skill that will faciliate your DIY projects going forward.

 

[metalchurch79]

Re: Should I Fret?

And make a few bucks on the side to buy more and better equipment depending on exactly you want to get out of this. That's really the question you need to ask. I know I've pissed more money away on very dumb things and your idea is definitely not a dumb idea by any means. That's a skill and a trade right there. I'm feeling motivational tonight for some reason. Lol

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Should I Fret?

I'm feeling motivational tonight for some reason. Lol

Lol, get em Metalchurch.