Time to refret

Dr.Mavashi

Dr.Mavashi

neonderthalotonalogist
So, my maple fretboard ( actually it's frets into neck, no fretboard) strat needs it badly. Pretty soon fret buzz is going to come through the overdrive. Now, I know it's more expensive for maple vs rosewood. with refinish and all, but how much should it be, for a quality work ? I want a it done right as I love this guitar it's been with me for 18 years, but I do want to know what is a reasonable price range
 
Last edited:
Re: Time to refret

If it was in my shop, a complete refret with a fresh lacquer finish on the face of the neck would be $275-$300. More for Jescar gold. Turnaround would be about a month, given the amount of work I have right now. Longer if it decided to rain a lot. I won't spray unless the humidity is under 50%.

Having said all that, pictures would be a great help - as a fret level might be sufficient, and of course - touching up the old finish with something besides lacquer would affect the price. Some guys like the patina, some don't.
 
Re: Time to refret

Maple wouldn't be refretted unless it's particularly sentimental or valuable. Not generally candidates for refrets like Rosewood.
 
Re: Time to refret

I just got a quote today (well rough quote, the tech wasn't there) of $10-12/fret. I ran that figure past my buddy and he said that's well within reason and it should also include wire, because it's generally $280 w/wire.
 
Re: Time to refret

Maple wouldn't be refretted unless it's particularly sentimental or valuable. Not generally candidates for refrets like Rosewood.
Click to expand...

If you're kidding, nice try.
If you're serious.... shut up.
 
Re: Time to refret

Derpottsie said:
In Alabama its usually $80- $100. It might vary

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk
Click to expand...

Yes please elaborate

I live just above Pensacola, FL

The tech down there, charges about $150, maybe more if maple maybe more if stainless frets

Which I would recommend

If it over $300
Just order a Carvin bolt on neck with stainless frets and never have to do this again
 
Re: Time to refret

ICTGoober said:
If you're kidding, nice try.
If you're serious.... shut up.
Click to expand...

If you are serious, your a hack.

From my tech;
"It's doable, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can buy a new Mighty Mite Fender Strat replacement neck with 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets for $150. Re-radiusing and refretting an existing part would cost $200. Removing old frets is a pain in the shorts, and often leads to some amount of fretboard tearout. Then, Maple has a finish on it that would show signs of having been worked on, unless it was refinished at still more cost. Unless you have some deep, meaningful emotional attachment to the neck, it's not worth doing much of anything to it".
 
Last edited:
Re: Time to refret

If you are serious, your a hack.

From my tech;
"It's doable, but I wouldn't recommend it. You can buy a new Mighty Mite Fender Strat replacement neck with 9.5" radius and medium jumbo frets for $150. Re-radiusing and refretting an existing part would cost $200. Removing old frets is a pain in the shorts, and often leads to some amount of fretboard tearout. Then, Maple has a finish on it that would show signs of having been worked on, unless it was refinished at still more cost. Unless you have some deep, meaningful emotional attachment to the neck, it's not worth doing much of anything to it".
Click to expand...

I think it's YOUR tech who's the hack. I have 40 years at the bench, and was an authorized Fender and Gibson tech for a large music store for a number of years. I've been published over 100 times in well known international magazines. As for your supposed tech's assessment - it's not about the money, it's about the attachment to the piece of wood between the player and the guitar.
 
Re: Time to refret

Yep, wood is always more valuable than just money......and trying to offer up a mighty mite neck as the benchmark for replacing say a proper Fender neck.......you'd lose 3 times that amount and more just in resale value as a partscaster let alone the possible issue with a different neck profile and desired replacement fret size.
 
Re: Time to refret

I'd be much more concerned with the level of perfection exhibited by said local tech than I would be with the price (within reason).
If it were me I'd try to find someone with a glowing reputation, even if it meant $300 and shipping it both ways.

The Carvin neck w/stainless isn't a bad idea if the specs gel with your likes.
 
Last edited:
Re: Time to refret

If the frets cannot be leveled, I would definitely get a refret done by a COMPETENT tech. No way in hell would I ditch the neck on that guitar.

Bill
 
Re: Time to refret

Around here 3 bills with no binding and normal fretwire. Goes up from there.

My Les Paul needs a refret. I want stainless steel and to keep the binding nibs. That will be $500 at least. Not sure when I"ll be able to scrounge up that much cash for it.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

IMENATOR
Should I get a 24 fret guitar?
2
Replies
36
Views
4K
Rex_Rocker
Rex_Rocker
Ascension
Used Fret Doctor on the new Washburn fret board and WOW!
2
Replies
24
Views
667
Phantasmagoria
Phantasmagoria
Fender_Punk
New Mandolin Day!
Replies
1
Views
391
jeremy
jeremy
G
A couple recent builds.
Replies
14
Views
542
GuitarDoc
G
O
First new build since 2022, and a little 'gift' from Gibson
2
Replies
27
Views
1K
playas
playas
Back
Top