iwalktheline Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Hello All, I just have a few questions and would love to hear your answers. I have a 1976 Gibson dove and was considering getting it refretted. First question, what should I expect for cost? I realize nothing is certain, just want a ballpark. Second, will this do anything to the sound of the guitar? Does it take away or add to the volume or nothing at all. Third, what exactly is done on the refret? I have never had one done nor ever considered doing one so im pretty clueless on this subject. Should I have the nut and saddle replaced if I get the refret done? I have a very, very good guitar luthier that I found to take my guitars to. Any advice or input would be very helpful. Thanks in advance!! Link to pictures of my Dove http://www.auctiva.com/hostedimages/showimage.aspx?gid=1286783&image=441392943&images=441392943,441393679,441393663,441393723,441393702,441393776,441393759,441393251,441393232,441393172,441393149,441393128,441393104,441393742,441393055,441393025,441392997,441392966,441393799,441393821,441393078,441393846&formats=0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0,0&format=0
slimt Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Hi... By the looks of the First fret.. It Does Not need refretting.. Maybe a dressing of the frets if anything. Refretting is removal and replacing the frets.. and in some cases Plaining the Fingerboard to take some of the Fingernail grooves out if there are any... It wont add volume or take away volume.. If it is hard to play, and the Saddle is to high to stop buzzing.. It may mean it will require a Neck net.. or just a neck adjustment. Dont try this at home... are you having issues with the playability or Sound? Does it buzz on the frets or are the strings High where it is hard to play? Just remember on 1971 up on some Guitars.. these were double X braced..and the braces were thinner.. That hampered the Tone on these. Not as Long lasting because the Top cannot vibrate as Much as a Single X. and the braces were taller...
iwalktheline Posted November 19, 2011 Author Posted November 19, 2011 Hi... By the looks of the First fret.. It Does Not need refretting.. Maybe a dressing of the frets if anything. Refretting is removal and replacing the frets.. and in some cases Plaining the Fingerboard to take some of the Fingernail grooves out if there are any... It wont add volume or take away volume.. If it is hard to play, and the Saddle is to high to stop buzzing.. It may mean it will require a Neck net.. or just a neck adjustment. Dont try this at home... are you having issues with the playability or Sound? Does it buzz on the frets or are the strings High where it is hard to play? Just remember on 1971 up on some Guitars.. these were double X braced..and the braces were thinner.. That hampered the Tone on these. Not as Long lasting because the Top cannot vibrate as Much as a Single X. and the braces were taller... Hi slimt, to be honest Im not having any issues with playability or buzz. A few months ago I had a setup done and it sounds really good. Not as loud as I would like but I keep comparing it to my Martin d35 which I shouldnt do. It plays nice and smooth with good sound. I was only asking due to its age. Wasnt sure if I should look into it or not. Thanks
slimt Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 Hi... Ya.. a D35 is a different beast.. it has tone and should ring like a bell. as where the Dove will have tone.. But not as Long lasting as the D35.. I bet you have noticed a big difference in the playability too from the D35 to the Dove.. the age of the Guitar should Not be a factor as long as it it played.. yours looks Nice.. it looks like its well takin care of.. Nice Guitar..
iwalktheline Posted November 19, 2011 Author Posted November 19, 2011 Hi... Ya.. a D35 is a different beast.. it has tone and should ring like a bell. as where the Dove will have tone.. But not as Long lasting as the D35.. I bet you have noticed a big difference in the playability too from the D35 to the Dove.. the age of the Guitar should Not be a factor as long as it it played.. yours looks Nice.. it looks like its well takin care of.. Nice Guitar.. Thanks, Yeah as they say Martins are cannons, and she is a cannon. A very loud one as well, which I have no problem with. For me the the Dove plays smoother, not quite sure if thats the right word but it just seems to glide when playing it.
j45nick Posted November 19, 2011 Posted November 19, 2011 I don't see anyhting here that suggests the guitar needs a re-fret, which should only be done as a last resort. If you aren't having buzzing or playability issues, leave it alone. Generally speaking, you can get away wihth one or two fret re-dresses before a re-fret is necessary. Depending on your playing style, you may only need to replace the first five frets in any case when the time comes, if you are happy with the style of frets you have. Yours look like they typical Gibson semi-jumbos, which I really like. They are flatter and wider than older-type narrow frets, and I find them particularly good for blues if you use a lot of slides, as you fingers don't hang up on the frets.
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