Johnny Smith frets

[Guest bishopdm]

I bought a Gibson Johnny Smith back in the late 70s (I believe it was built in 1975) and have never liked the frets. Did Gibson always use the "fretless wonder"-style frets on Johnny Smiths or is this something unique to the time period that my guitar was built? I've pretty much decided that if I keep it, I'm going to have it refretted so that I can enjoy playing it. The way it is now, it's sometimes difficult to get the notes to ring clearly. Anyone else have the same negative impression with these low, flat frets?

[JimR56]

Interesting. I don't have a definitive answer, but I'll relate something anyway, for what it's worth.

 

I've been fortunate enough to own about 50 Gibson archtops and thinlines over the years. I've never been the type of player who is very picky or all that concerned about the subtle differences between frets, neck sizes and shapes, etc etc. To me, every guitar is different, and I try to adapt to the character that each guitar offers. In all my 35+ years of collecting and trading, I've only owned one guitar where it was clear to me that the frets needed replacing. That guitar, which I still have, is a 1962 Johnny Smith. I bought it in 1999 off ebay, and had it refretted a year or two after I got it (probably should have done it immediately, but I dragged my feet). Took it to a local pro, who did a fantastic job, making it SO much more playable and enjoyable. I can't tell you how happy I was with that decision.

[Guest bishopdm]

Thanks, Jim.