Is it worth it to Refret a guitar???

[Satrionic]

do u guys here think that its worth it to get a refret for your guitar or just to buy a new neck... i have a mexican fender strat that has fretwear.... asked around and it seems that refretting is not cheap. cost around $300-$600. im thinking that for that amount of money, might as well i get a strat replacement neck from ebay or better still.. add a bit and get a new guitar.. anyone ever encounter this kind of situation? anyone here ever have their guitar refretted and how much does it cost and at where?? :?

 

[popeye]

if you love your current guitar and will still be happy having it as your main guitar, i don't see any reason not to do refret even if the refret cost can get you another guitar.

 

[Satrionic]

yeah.. guess so.. but for a strat, it seems like getting a replacement neck is another alternative than a refret. cheaper too..

 

[Timex]

me thinks its worthwhile to get a neck replacement, particulary a japanese made one.check out the appolonmusic site for replacement neck. 300-600 can easily get u a good one.Do check out if the replacement fits well though

 

[hay88]

should i ever refret or custom a neck, i'll make sure it has steel frets so they will take yrs to wear out.

 

[SoulJah]

As far as I know, there's no local luthier who does Stainless Steel fretwork. One of the reasons is due to the nature of the metal, it's really hard and tends to damage fretting tools.

Anyways with regards to whether it's worth it to refret the guitar, I suggest you think of it in terms of the life span of the guitar itself. A typical fret job would proably last you about 5-7 years, I just did a complete refret on my number one guitar. But with the amount that I play I'm already starting to see some fret wear and might even have to go for a leveling job.

If you feel that you might want to be upgrading or getting another guitar, I suggest you put the fretjob on hold. But if the strat is something which you feel is special enough for you to refret and continue playing then go ahead with the fret job.

Chris.

 

[ShredCow]

Hehe... I know Malcom would do Stainless Steels if you pay for a new set of tools! That was then lah, now, i dunno if he will... I wonder if luthiers get attached to their tools... hmmm..., in a heart warming way lah...

 

[Satrionic]

shredcow, u ever refret yr guitar thru malcolm? how much did he charge?? heard he's good..

 

[Kiyoharu]

I think it's better if you could drop him an email and ask for yourself..

 

[blackstar]

i had my fender acoustic refretted by malcolm, cost about 400. but it wasn't just a refret, had the tuners changed as well, so a refret alone will be lesser.

contact him for a quote, he did do an excellent job on my guitar.

 

[ShredCow]

shredcow, u ever refret yr guitar thru malcolm? how much did he charge?? heard he's good..

Aye, I have.. He is good.

For charges, email him.

 

[LimpPisskit]

1. frets need to replaced sooner or later even on a replacement neck

2. a good fret job is crucial or it will ruin your neck.

3. eBay is scary...the neck could come in worse condition than the one u have, if u don't get ripped off first

4. MIM necks should be exchangeable but not all bolt-on are. I think Tom Anderson says his neck pockets are hand finished so a new neck may not be perfect fit. The thing you worry about is the screw holes are not 100% alined.

I think for a MIM it is not worth it. I don't want to be mean but do you see yourself keeping the MIM or a long time? Do u secretly want to trade up to a MIA (or CIJ) if u had the $$? If yes then save your money for the next GAS attack.

Consider a fret level first where they grind it down even instead of replacing. It should be much cheaper (but will feel different if grind a lot).

 

[Phil]

if you love your current guitar and will still be happy having it as your main guitar, i don't see any reason not to do refret even if the refret cost can get you another guitar.

I agree, if you have an attachment to that guitar, or that neck, then the refretting would be worthwhile.

 

[mamemo]

getting a new neck doesnt mean all's well, you will still need a setup, and if the frets arent level, you'll need a luthier to level it..etc

i'd say refret :wink:

 

[fgl]

If U love yr neck and that FENDER or whatever decal on the headstock then by all means get it rfret. Refreting in a tedious tiem consuming process....I've done many refret jobs in the past (I used to charge $150-$200) - full as well as partial refret and there are many things that can go wrong - fret slots too loose, frets not seating properly, not level, edges not beveled properly....

If u dun have issues with having a decal on the headstock (or U creative enuff to bootleg a decal) then I suggest U go for a replacement neck >warmoth being the best in mind - they can do watever type neck size, profile, radius, scale and fret size U want (includibg stainesless steel frets at $30usd extra)... I've been a frequent customer to them (direct and not through local dealers coz according to the warmoth website there are no dealers - anyone can order direct) and can really voutch for their workmanship. Cheaper alternatives you can try WD necks & Mighty mite necks (Stewart Mac - part online sites).

My2cents4U 8)

 

[Satrionic]

ic... fgl, do u still do refret?

 

[mulyadi]

er...refrets at 400-600 bucks?

from what i know, standard jobs in s'pore shd cost about $15/fret?

just check out ppl like maestro, guitar connection and even luthermusic. i think their fret jobs are not too bad also.

 

[ShredCow]

You want it good, you gotta spend.

 

[fgl]

sori..nowadays only work on my own guitars - close frens... even if I did work on ther ppl's guits..I wouldnt charge $150-$200 coz that was wat I charge 6-7 years ago...

Dan Music does partial refrets at $10 per piece but standard of work...so so... as for the rest of the luthiers mentioned...money well spent... :lol:

 

[Satrionic]

think i wait for my pay day... most probably goin to malcolm.. saw his website.. thanks everyone.. FGL, Arsenal Forever!!! :lol: