Refretting

[Ian Price]

Just a quick bit of advice needed - will refretting a vintage guitar reduce it's value? I doubt that keeping the old frets in the case is the same as keeping the original pickups!

[FELINEGUITARS]

Yes - vintage guys are really funny about that
An old guitar can desperately need refretting being almost unplayable otherwise, but they dont wsnt you change anything.

Think it's daft myself
I would refret it with the same gauge of wire as it would have been new, but all nice and fresh
No point keeping the old frets - they're not exactly going to refit them again like they could with old pickups
Guitars are meant for playing not hanging on the wall IMO

[Ian Price]

Cheers Mr Feline - I have the same opinion of guitars and have no plans to sell. Was just wondering what difference it would make. I do think mine is in need of a refret though - I assume it would be best to get it checked out or are there any signs I could look out for?

[noodleplugerine]

It's crazy. My mate just bought a 1976 Stingray, and it needs SERIOUS work, but he won't let me sort him out... I can't believe it. I mean, what's the point in buying what are meant to be "the best sounding" guitars, if they're cr@p to play..

[GuiTony]

You need to keep the original strings on it too  :roll:

The vintage bubble is just about to go big-splat.  IMHO of course.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Cheers Mr Feline - I have the same opinion of guitars and have no plans to sell. Was just wondering what difference it would make. I do think mine is in need of a refret though - I assume it would be best to get it checked out or are there any signs I could look out for?

Ian - what is the guitar in question?

[Twinfan]

The vintage bubble is just about to go big-splat.  IMHO of course.

I doubt it'll ever really collapse, but new guitars are better than ever.  We really understand what makes a good one now, and PRS and the Fender Custom Shop (for example) have really got the quality sorted.

Makes no sense to buy an old one to play now, they're just for collectors.

[jpfamps]

It really depends on the condition of the guitar. If you have a "mint" vintage guitar, then refretting it will devalue it, although if it is "mint" it wouldn't need a refret!

Generally originality is worth preserving. However, if the guitar has reasonable playing wear, which it will if the frets are shot, then I don't think a refret will devalue the guitar. It didn't leave the factory with unplayably worn frets, or say scratchy pots, so I would go ahead and get the guitar refretted. I wouldn't bother keeping the old frets either.

I've just purchased a 60s Gretsch needing a refret (which is good as Gretsch fretting is very variable to say the least), so I will definitely get it refretted to make it as playable as possible.

[jpfamps]

I forgot to add that you need to go to someone who is very sympathetic to vintage guitar repair. This is not the job for a cowboy.....

[Underground_Player]

I agree with jpfamps... If the guitar's been modified already, to the extent that it's price has dropped enough to be in reach of players (as opposed to collectors), then in theory a good refret on a worn out guitar shouldn't reduce its value.

I bought a late '60s Tele a little while ago, and the frets were pretty much flat. It had a bunch of other mods which meant it was 'worth' less than a new custom shop guitar. I bought it because it still played better than a number of C.S. Tele's I tried that day, it was cheaper, and essentially it was a late '60s guitar.
It was a hassle having to get it refretted after I bought it - so if it had been refretted already, it would have actually made me more likely to buy it!

[Ian Price]

Cheers Mr Feline - I have the same opinion of guitars and have no plans to sell. Was just wondering what difference it would make. I do think mine is in need of a refret though - I assume it would be best to get it checked out or are there any signs I could look out for?

Ian - what is the guitar in question?

A mid 70s tele - there's some distinct flattening of the lower frets, not so bad on the upper frets.

[mikeluke]

Ian - I know a guy in Reading who will give you a sensible opinion if you are considering getting it done - PM me if you need his details.

Mike

[WezV]

probably sideways fretted as well if i remember my years right.  i think it was up untill the late 70's that fender pushed its frets in from the side rather than straight down as most do.  somebody not used to defretting a  vintage fender sideways fretted neck may pull the frets and cause major chips... then you really loose value!!

its a bit slower than just pulling frets like you can on most guitars but not really much more difficult, they need to be slowly pushed back out... 1 at a time :(


so yeah, I would replace them with something appropriate (not jim dunlop 6000's) to keep the guitar playable... but make sure you get someone used to working with vintage fenders. 

[FELINEGUITARS]

Wez is correct
70s Fender had the frets pushed in from the side so they must be pushed out sideways as well so as for the barbs not to rip chunks out of the fingerboard as they push through "virgin wood" since as the frets didnt go in through the top of the board there is no pathway for the barbs on the tang to safely pass back through.

If it is a maple fingerboard I would put money on the board needing refinishing as well as the thick poly that Fender sprayed over the frets tend to make it all but impossible to get them out without some spoiling of the paint.
This also results in a flat surface to refret into/onto if done nicely.

[jpfamps]

Wez is correct
70s Fender had the frets pushed in from the side so they must be pushed out sideways as well so as for the barbs not to rip chunks out of the fingerboard as they push through "virgin wood" since as the frets didnt go in through the top of the board there is no pathway for the barbs on the tang to safely pass back through.

If it is a maple fingerboard I would put money on the board needing refinishing as well as the thick poly that Fender sprayed over the frets tend to make it all but impossible to get them out without some spoiling of the paint.
This also results in a flat surface to refret into/onto if done nicely.

Yes, sadly laterly CBS Fender started to apply there poly finishes OVER the frets on maple boards making a refin necessary when the board is refretted, so if you have a maple board you will need to take it to someone who can do this as well.