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Refretting a B&B neck...

Posted: Sun Jun 15, 2008 10:52 pm
by Stratelejazzuar
has anyone had experience with having this done to a vintage neck?

i'm starting to think that my '66 JM's frets are past it and need changing, but i'm afraid that a refret operation might damage the binding  :(

they're just too low, basically; and coupled with the 7.25" radius, playing certain things on the B&B is a lot more awkward than on my thinskin (differnet radius and frets of course)

i was thinking of having new "vintage"-sized frets put in - not any of this crazy jumbo fret business  :-\

any stories, comments, suggestions?

thanks, yo

Re: Refretting a B&B neck...

Posted: Mon Jun 16, 2008 2:24 am
by theworkoffire
There's no inherent reason why it should damage the binding, but it will probably cost you a little more than on an unbound neck. Clipping the ends of the tang off and clearing/deepening bound slots is a little more labour intensive, that's all.

I've re-fretted a few vintage necks, bound and unbound - it's an incredibly rewarding repair.

Re: Refretting a B&B neck...

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 7:21 pm
by Stratelejazzuar
okay, thanks. i've never done a refret myself, but my buddy has. he doesn't have tools to do it anymore, tho...  :(

so i'm thinking just take it to the local guy who's said to be quite good.  :)

any horror stories out there? anyone?  :D

Re: Refretting a B&B neck...

Posted: Tue Jun 17, 2008 8:00 pm
by Jay
Yes. Don't trust anyone becuase some other people say "this guy's good."  Look for people who have instruments that have been repaired and see for yourself.  The first refret I had done by someone that came highly recommended (from numerous sources) was brutal.  I had to pay to have someone else do it again.  $625 total for one good refret.  :k

Re: Refretting a B&B neck...

Posted: Wed Jun 18, 2008 4:04 am
by sookwinder
I have had two vintage necks with binding refretted  (by a local luthier who I trust all my guitars with)  no problem at all wiuth the refret ... no damage to any section of the bindings.

a good guitar tech / luthier can do it with no issues