Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I'm just wondering about the cost to refret a vintage guitar. (the one I just got) I'm hoping some people could tell me the most durable frets to get as well. To start: It has a rosewood fretboard. It has binding on the fretboard. It's 21 frets. It's a short scale, I believe similar to that of a Gibson. The neck is similar to that of a baseball bat. With all of this info, could someone give me an estimate? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 What is the problem with the current frets? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 What is the problem with the current frets? They're really worn, like code red, critical, death imminent, wear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riffster Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 Ouch, refretting costs about $280 at a proper shop with a reputation, I had a guy that used to do it for $100 and did a fine job but he is in prison and unfortunatley I am not kidding. You are better of buying a new neck or finding somebody that does it as a hobby and does not charge too much. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 The neck is a possibility. But I want to keep this thing for a while, possibly for the rest of my life. I fell in love with it the moment I plugged it in. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 nevermind the necks. They're all in far worse shape than the one I have. They also cost more than the whole guitar. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 nevermind the necks. They're all in far worse shape than the one I have. They also cost more than the whole guitar. Does the neck binding have "knibs" over the fret ends? If so, you're probably going to find that it wont after the refret. I was quoted £90 to refret an Epi SG in about 2001/2, not worth it at the time but since it's an early 90's MIK it may now be worth doing in terms of value but still a push. I would think that comes out at nearer £150 in today's money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 What do you mean by "knibs"???? Describe it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 What do you mean by "knibs"???? Describe it. Look at your Gibson's fret ends/neck binding. The binding covers the ends of the frets and is filed away between them. When re-fretting a Gibson it is common practice to remove the nibs and file the fret ends smooth like on a cheaper guitar as it is all but impossible to get a nice, no-gap alignment by pre-cutting the frets and inserting them between the old nibs. Note: I just learned that I have been spelling nibs wrong (Knibs) for ever unless Google Chrome's spell check is wrong. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 Look at your Gibson's fret ends/neck binding. The binding covers the ends of the frets and is filed away between them. When re-fretting a Gibson it is common practice to remove the nibs and file the fret ends smooth like on a cheaper guitar as it is all but impossible to get a nice, no-gap alignment by pre-cutting the frets and inserting them between the old nibs. Note: I just learned that I have been spelling nibs wrong (Knibs) for ever unless Google Chrome's spell check is wrong. I just said the neck is similar to that of a Gibson in scale. Sorry for my syntax error. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Farnsbarns Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 I just said the neck is similar to that of a Gibson in scale. Sorry for my syntax error. No no, I was asking a literal question because you said it had neck binding I was just wondering if it did or didn't have knibs just because it is a consideration when looking at a refret. I guess I can take this as a no. That's one less thing to think about . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 14, 2012 Author Share Posted September 14, 2012 I just understood what you mean. No it doesn't. I don't know why it's expensive, but if it'l save money, good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AlanH Posted September 14, 2012 Share Posted September 14, 2012 The local small store near myself charges £60 for a set up with fret dress; £120 for a refret (incl the set up/dress); and £180 for a bound neck refret (incl set up/dress.) The knibs, a less slick feel and the extra cost of re-fretting with a bound neck are the reasons why I prefer a guitar without neck binding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-4sn7GkM3U&feature=youtube Well, I did a video once over for the guys over at the Fender board. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
zigzag Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 Stainless steel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LarryUK Posted September 15, 2012 Share Posted September 15, 2012 I know someone that's just had stainless frets. He loves them. There are video's on You tube about different frets. There's a video of Thin Lizzy about how they change the frets on new guitars for fat ones. I like taller frets. Perhaps you should go to a shop and try different guitars for the feel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Buxom Posted September 15, 2012 Author Share Posted September 15, 2012 I know someone that's just had stainless frets. He loves them. There are video's on You tube about different frets. There's a video of Thin Lizzy about how they change the frets on new guitars for fat ones. I like taller frets. Perhaps you should go to a shop and try different guitars for the feel. I've played plenty of guitars. I like taller frets as well. I was looking into the tall/skinny frets. They have the height of jumbo, yet the width of vintage frets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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