Re: vintage JM refret

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by øøøøøøø » Fri Jul 18, 2008 8:17 pm

I think you can buy 2 feet of it for like 3 bucks.  If you have other stuff you need from them (knobs, polish, strap locks, whatever) to make the shipping worth it, the cost is almost negligible to just grab a couple of samples. 

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by theworkoffire » Sat Jul 19, 2008 12:00 am

If you call them up they might even send you some offcut samples for free. Worth a try.

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by painted wood » Fri Aug 01, 2008 10:16 am

Update:
I ordered the 0155 wire (.080 x .050) medium highest from Stew Mac.  I figured that the Dunlop 6105 frets have a height of .055 so the .050 would be perfect for me.  I like the 6105 wire, but I am going for a restoration and also playability. 

I got the wire and it looks great.  The 0155 wire has a short tang that I like too. No need for deeper fret slots.

So I called my other tech who lives a few hours away.  He refretted my '61 ten years ago.  He's been at it for at least 20 years and done several other vintage refrets over the years.  He just finished up a 1960 telecaster.

He said the 0155 is a good choice...easier playability, pull offs, bends.  I just shipped him the neck, so it will be 7-10 days from Monday.  He said he didn't need the whole guitar.  We talked about the entire process...new bone nut, etc.  I feel confident in him, and I'm excited to get my guitar playing well again.  I've been playing it, but with a lot of undue effort and not enough bliss.  It's time.  I'm very excited.  It's been 45 years! ;D
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
Image[img]http://[/img]
Image

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by painted wood » Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:08 am

He said that he gets the neck really straight, refrets it, replaces the bone nut, files the nut slots making sure the string clears the first fret by 1/16", ships it back, then I put the neck on, string it up with 10s and the string tension will cause the neck to have the proper relief, and then I set it up.  I like as low of an action as possible with no buzz. 

As far as leveling goes, he will level the fretboard if needed, I told him to preserve it as much as possible so he knows to do that.  He said he will probably need to a little at the fret slots just to ensure a perfect fret job and no need to sand level the new frets.  That way I can get the most out of them and not have any frets that are shorter.  He said he will make it look sweet and for me not to worry, and that he does this all the time and it'll work. 

He just told me to send the neck.  :ph34r:
Last edited by painted wood on Fri Aug 01, 2008 11:13 am, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by Jay » Fri Aug 01, 2008 12:33 pm

IIRC there are special jigs you can buy made to hold the neck perfectly straight (using a laser to align) for leveling jobs.  I think that's actually the best way to do it since you can be sure everything is straight without turning a truss and looking to find the sweet spot.  Not sure if that's what he's using or anything of course...

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Re: vintage JM refret - got it back and it is awesome

Post by painted wood » Fri Sep 19, 2008 5:28 pm

this is the thread I was looking for.

It's been a while - 6 weeks - but well worth the wait...these frets are the best IMO.  My local tech levelled and crowned them and they are like new.  the .080x.050 is the right size.  8)

Two techs worked on the refret and it was cool because they each took their time, and there was two sets of eyes and hands on the guitar. I trust both of them as they have both done 80 to over 100 fret jobs each.

He said he used a file that he has used for about 80 fret dresses and it doesn't take the frets down very far like his new one does, so the frets are very smooth, crowned slightly and sound killer.

I feel like a weight has been lifted, barriers destroyed, and my world has expanded and is now limitless.  These frets sound killer, and I mean the sound of the guitar really comes out and the sustain is forever.  The Jazzmaster guitar design is really epic.

I'll post pics once I find my camera...I seem to have lost it.  ???

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by Haddock » Sat Sep 20, 2008 4:12 am

Wow I had never seen such holes in frets before.  :wtf:

Glad this is finally done and you love the result; and thanks for sharing your experience.
“Man does not cease to play because he grows old; man grows old because he ceases to play.” -- George Bernard Shaw

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Re: vintage JM refret

Post by painted wood » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:00 pm

new pics...
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image[img]http://[/img]
[img]http://[/img]Image
:-*
Last edited by painted wood on Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:21 pm, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics .080x.050 wire

Post by the older brother » Sun Sep 21, 2008 1:17 pm

:-*

That is such a hot guitar!

Nice fretwork too.
Someone knows where I can find the nearest woodchipper to throw my pieces of junk into?

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics .080x.050 wire

Post by theworkoffire » Sun Sep 21, 2008 2:39 pm

:-* indeed!

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics .080x.050 wire

Post by painted wood » Sun Sep 21, 2008 4:45 pm

After both techs levelled, crowned, and dressed them, I imagine the fret height is somewhere between .043 to .046.  ;D Just what I was looking for.  I want to buy some electronic calipers from stew mac and measure all of my necks specs when I get some money.

The frets are tall and new, and a lot of fun to play.  They do feel high.  My other '61 has .092x.046.

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics .080x.050 wire

Post by painted wood » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:01 am

I bought the digital calipers and the frets measure .082 x .043  ;)
...just right and I believe vintage accurate.

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics (.080x.050 wire) now .082x.043 after levelling

Post by mynameisjonas » Fri Sep 26, 2008 4:53 am

wow, that guitar is super sexy :o :-* :-* :-*

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics (.080x.050 wire) now .082x.043 after levelling

Post by JazzBlaster » Fri Sep 26, 2008 5:06 am

It looks like a night and day difference, I can only imagine what it sounds like.
It's not about the gear! It's about you, your hands, your imagination, your feelings.

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Re: vintage JM refret -finished pics .080x.050 wire

Post by øøøøøøø » Fri Sep 26, 2008 7:04 am

painted wood wrote: I bought the digital calipers and the frets measure .082 x .043  ;)
...just right and I believe vintage accurate.
Pretty close anyway!  :)

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