I can do my own re-frets but in my head I think it makes more sense to have so many guitars you never have to re-fret them because you spread the wear across your “harem” if you will
I’m of the same mind. However a couple my older guitars need refretting because I only had those guitars to learn on. I do like the stainless steel frets on my Wolfgang special, I’ll wear out before they do.
I like the way you think, but I can't argue with the other reply either. My first guitar will soon need to be crowned and leveled but I have more guitars now so probably won't ever need a re-fret.
Oh for sure and eventually everything will need to be level crowned and polished and the nut will need to be filed to compensate over time. Eventually you’ll run out material and need the re-fret and a new nut. My comment is mostly smartassery. I kind of prefer taller fret wire just so I don’t have to refret as much and I like a bit of that floaty feel too. My first decent guitar had jumbo frets and it made it feel scalloped. Man did that thing rip
I used to take lessons at a place called Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. Every week I would come in 20-30 minutes before my lesson and sit around playing one of the many incredible instruments they had on the wall. One day I was running through some lesson material (Bluegrass guitar) on an old Martin. This guy was sitting a few stools away and struck up a conversation with me. He commented on how he could never get that bluegrass stuff to sound right. I asked what he played and he said 'mostly finger style'. In a little while, Frank came out with his guitar in a case and he was on his way. Then Frank says to me 'Do you know who that was?' I did not. Frank said that's Tuck (Andress) - he comes in once a year for a refret. I said 'once a year!?'. Frank says yeah, he plays the shit out of his guitar. Anyhow - Tuck is a super nice guy - and he plays the shit out of his guitar.
I had three guitars refretted. Fenders have notoriously soft frets. Instead of spending time or money crowning or polishing, I went straight to stainless. Those are the guitars I play the most as stainless frets with Elixir strings make for a great, slinky feel. I even went stainless on my 1966 Framus. No regrets.
Had my 83 strat re fretted recently. I took the opportunity to put the largest fret wire possible and the feel is amazing now. Separate and distinct from the other strats, highly recommend.
I have a lot of guitars and I've only gotten a refret once. It was on my les paul. it was expensive, but it really brought the guitar back from the dead and made it my favorite guitar again
Stainless steel frets. Two of my main guitars have 'em. Worth the investment. Haven't worn out yet, and it's nice that they always sound and feel the same and that bends don't eventually fret out over time.
What did you pay for refretting your guitar with stainless steel. I would like to know to have a reference for my guitar. I have a Mexican maple neck. But after 3 year it 's already flattened a lot. I play gun's and roses with a lot of bending.
Timely video. I changed the strings on my Squier CV 60s Custom yesterday. First guitar I've loved so much that there is now plenty of wear. Fretboard is worn in the cowboy chord area and frets showing divots. I love it; looks played to the max.
Picked up a 1979 the Paul last year. This guitar was a project guitar for me. I had a friend do a re fret that turned out amazing. Now it looks and plays the way it should.
I just found y’all on Spotify and just wanted to tell you I thought it was a really cool podcast. It was really interesting to here how you guys thought of the whole Travis Scott situation. Thanks for the work you guys put in the podcast and your UA-cam channel! 👍👍
When I bought my ‘86 335 it was already twenty years old and had clearly been played hard. Nobody was trying to hide anything. I bought it as a restoration project because it whilst was basically phuqued… to have been played that hard it had to be a particularly good guitar (because nobody could put it down, right?). So when I first picked it up it was more or less unplayable. That it needed refretting was always understood and priced into the purchase, and the guitar shop that sold it to me (now sadly defunct Chandler Guitars in Kew, South West London) set their premier luthier up to do the work. He phoned me when it was done to ask if I’d sell it to him! Everybody says its a one in five thousand 335 but I’d never have it if I hadn’t been open to the idea that frets are a bit like the tires on your car. They need to be renewed every thirty thousand miles or so. And to be clear, I didn’t know that when I first saw my 335. But the very kindly and experienced people at Chandlers helped me through it all, educating me, holding my hand when I ever questioned the wisdom of sinking all that money into a guitar I didn’t know how it was even going to play when it was refurbished. Anyway I’ve still got it and it’s not for sale!
I've been wondering about a refret for my Les Paul recently so thank you for this video. It's an '88 that I got almost 30 years ago when I was 16. Not vintage by any stretch but it's been my main gigging guitar since then and, while I've kept it (mostly) well maintained, I've never really seriously thought about a refret until the last year or so. The allure of a new guitar so often overpowers the the logic of making an already great guitar feel new again.
My friend who owns and 80’s les Paul as well that has been his main axe since he got it recently got it refretted with jumbo frets, it was a major improvement over the frets he had since they had been worn down so much. one was actually almost falling out😂
@@bubba5246 Thank you for the info, that's very encouraging. Of all the upgrades/improvements one can make to a guitar, a refret feels among the most "permanent" so it's good to hear any success stories. Cheers.
Hey Team Casino! I wish you guys would have showed us examples of when our guitars need to have minor work or an entire re-fret and fixing the fretboard? Like how does one qualify the definition of “absolutely necessary” work without seeing examples? Can you make a follow up video to show us different levels of minor/major wear and when you’d consider doing work + the type of work you’d do on them? My full sized KLOS Hybrid Deluxe is starting to develop some divots on the fret wire and some wear on the fingerboard. I’ve only been playing 1.5 years with that one guitar. I’ve been wondering what I can do to prevent further damage or at least protect it a bit more beyond polishing the fret wire and conditioning the fretboard wood. I do a deep clean/polish/condition when I change the strings on it every 2-3 months. I’m using high quality coated D’addario Acoustic Phosphor Bronze XT (tried the XS strings once). The guitar never leaves my apartment in Queens, NY and sits on a guitar stand when not in use. I play it almost every day. Any advice? Can I do anything about the minor wear? When is the right time to either do work myself or really bring it to a tech?
Have an old Ovation that I used for the church. Could use some new frets for the cowboy chord area. Big surprise, right? Is there such a thing as just replacing a few frets?
2005 I saw Lou Reed in Atlanta at the Midtown Music Festival. Apparently he was already in a mood when he got there after finding out it wasn't a solo show vs a festival. His amp cut out. We were close enough to hear him scream at his amp tech. "Thank god I'm in a big rock n roll band so I can just quit playing," he said to the audience.
Gotta refret once in a while! I have an '89 Tele that I bought in 1990. The first 4 frets had grooves in them that got too deep. Finally had it refretted in 2018 and it was the best thing I ever did. Like a brand new guitar!
My 61 les paul jr has worn and beat up frets but they're still very usable. The fingerboard looks like it's been hit with a hammer in spots too but I love it. I play it at every gig and I gig a lot. It'll need a refret sometime in the near future but until then
On the side topic of backup gear - When I would play live I would take an electro-harmonix .44 magnum (pedal sized amp) with just in case. Small and cheap and good in a pinch.
I need to refret my 90's Epiphone Coronet so badly. It's become a fretless wonder. Sadly it seems to be hard to find someone in North Florida. I'm gonna get it done as I truly miss playing it.
my two main guitars are old enough to have pretty worn frets. a 92 Rickenbacker and a late 70's guild acoustic. but I'm so used to it. when I play something with modern jumbo frets I'm pretty thrown off
I’m glad I pulled this up..I got a 91 52 reissue tele and I think I’m NOT going to refret..I don’t play out..I just like collecting..but I do have a 2009 60th anniversary strat that I may do..
The Tele-Strat (Tele shape body/71 Strat neck) that my dad built in 72 has the smallest, flattest lil frets I've ever seen. They're so cute and tiny. That guitar has been played to death. But it is magically SO EFFIN' PLAYABLE! It wants a little lighter touch but it blays like butter. So weird.
I’ve been doing all my guitars with the gold EVO frets and they are so much better feeling and slicker and harder than normal nickel . I would recommend them to everyone 😎👍
If I was looking at dropping vintage cash and there were two identical vintage guitars for the same price, but one had no frets and the other had a refret that was as good as original, I'd take the refret every time
I’ve never needed a refret but I’m always apprehensive about who to let do it if I did. I have a avri with vintage frets that I’d love some vintage talls on
I wonder if the Gruhn's policy came about because far too many people were set to purchase a consigned guitar and would ask to 'throw in a refret.' Over time that $ would really add up, and this way they don't eat that margin.
I had a Gibson Flying V2 from 1981 that I finally had to have refretted after 30 years of constant playing! The frets were barely existent and there was no way to level/crown them without making them even with the fretboard. It was a true "fretless wonder" Gibson. 😎 I still hemmed and hawed over the decision, but if I was going to play it, I had to give it my all.
Instruments are meant to be played. My son recently returned a Carvin Bolt I gave him many moons ago, that he rarely played and just sat in the case for around the last 5 years. Initially it played awful. I polished the frets, cleaned the fretboard (rosewood) and changed the strings and now it plays GREAT!! I play it regularly now and it just keeps getting better. If you are not a collector and have guitars you do not play, make sure you get them to someone who will play them :)
I have a Carvin Bolt (maple fretboard) that I just cleaned with steel wool and polished the frets with and then put tung oil on. Followed a great Carvin/Kiesel video you can find online. 20 year old guitar and it plays even better now and looks new. The Carvin Bolts that were made by Carvin are great guitars. I couldn't touch anything close today that isn't twice or more what I paid then. I did notice some of the frets have divots in them, which is how I ended up here. Definitely a guitar I want to keep playing as long as possible, so a refret might be in the future.
I think some fret wire seems softer than others. My Taylor wears more quickly than anything else and I don’t play it more or harder. That I did a partial refret on. Baxter would win. He’s wiry, his hair belies the sleeping energy inside him, and I know he can come up with an insane intimidating look that would frighten Aragog. Jonathon, when you figure out where in Mississippi you’ll be let us know.
There are two hardness standards: 12% and 18% nickel alloy. I believe Gibson and PRS use 18% pretty dependably. You can bend fretwire repeatedly to increase its hardness. Feed 18% through a fret bender 10 times and it will be almost as hard as stainless. It your frets wear fast, the manufacturer cheaped out and used 12%
I use a Helix, and yah, you gotta have a backup. It doesn't have to be another Helix, though. I pack an HX stomp as an emergency backup. I've never had to use it, but it's there and it's got all the same patches loaded. It's not as easy to use, but it'll get the job done.
Tom, Tim, session fellas need their guitars to be in top condition, they also have a preference to what wire works best for them.What you can get away with on the road you can't in the studio. Respect and stay healthy all.
I've got a 2007 PRS McCarty. It needs a fret level but it otherwise in mint condition. It's my favorite guitar so I play it a lot. I keep struggling with whether to sell it as is and upgrade to a more modern version of the same guitar or or level the frets and keep it. The agony of this decision is for some reason plaguing me for MONTHS now! XD
What is the price for a decent refret job on a Mexican Stratocaster with 21 frets with stainless steel frets. I would like to have a reference for my guitar. Do I ask fender shop or a local luthier? 300€ or more like 500?
one of the guitars I built should be re-freted ... not because they are worn out but because I was experimenting with a compound radius while at the same time building a prototype machine to auto radius my fret board while I worked on other stuff. The machine worked great but I built it about an inch too short and ended up radiusing the last 2 inches of the fret board by hand . Also being impatient and rushing to get the job done so I could put it together and play it. So that one needs to be done and it will be my first fret removal , re-radius and re-fret job... good skill to have
The timing of this is funny. I'm having my first guitar (a '77 Strat) finally refretted. I just can't play it with low frets and I want to bring it back into circulation.
The story about the guy who 's modeler crapped out happened to a friend of mine back in the 90s. It was an ART effects rack-unit and cost more than his Marshall stack. It went tits-up before a gig. That's when he discovered he was playing his rack and not his guitar. The ART got fixed and sold and he went back to guitar-cable-3 or 4 pedals-cable-amp. Former roomie had a guy (the : "I know a guy" kind) half finish a fret job and had to do a gig with the neck looking & feeling more like 2 feet of toy train track.
I have an old Epiphone acoustic that has been played so long the frets are almost gone- there is notches in them where the strings hit them. The notches are on the first four frets- where you generally chord it. My uncle bought it, played it until the neck broke off- threw it in the trash. I dug it out of the trash, brought it to my dad- who was a luthier and had a shop in our basement where he repaired instruments for ppl. Well, he didn't want to be bothered with this relatively inexpensive Epiphone, so he just epoxied the neck and the bridge back on the guitar. Didn't even bother using clear epoxy- it's amber. I proceed to then play it for the next 20 years- it sounded and played great. But- now the bridge has started letting go again, the frets are completely worn out- if you try and take the bridge off and fix it properly it's going to tear the front up- that's why you don't use epoxy. So, it's done, I think. I'm going to let a local guy look at it but I'm pretty sure he's going to see that epoxy and pass.
My Mom use to fret a lot and now she doesn’t give a crap. Lol. She was a spit fire too. I guess I may fret to if you don’t win that arm wrestling contest.
Ok, Question. My kid dropped my strat face forward and dented the 12th fret at the g string. Created a dent that makes it impossible to play. Can you replace just one fret???!
I really like the low, wide frets on my early 70's ES-345. I really hope I never have to refret it. I don't know if any modern frets would have the same feel, unless you really ground those puppies down.
Jescar makes a variety of special fret sizes in the main three materials- Nickel silver, Stainless, and EVO. They have one size that's .037" x .105" iirc that would fit well, and being so low already, you could consider getting amore durable material.
If I had a vintage guitar that needed a refret because it's unplayable, it would be a no brainer for me. Refret it so I can play it ! That is what guitars are for. But only if it's unplayable. I would leave it be if it's still playable.
I bought a Gibson 1964 reissue ES-345 and hated, hated, hated the low frets, took it to 30th Street Guitars and Matt Brewster did a refret and that guitar just absolutely KILLS now with the taller frets, it is louder, plays better and bends are a breeze.
Yo Baxter, hey Johnathan, Baxter I have the same problem with my hair. They tell me it's call colect, when your hair falicals at birth are like twisted all up. It helped me if I grow a mullet, I guess cause all the weight of your hair kinda helped me keep it a little straighter. Lol that was in the 80s. I don't have to worry about it, because, you know most men lose there hair. Lmao, so like me, I went thru life with a funny doo. But it all good now because I'm pretty much bald. So don't fret about your hair, at least you have hair, lol for now. Take care guys. Stay safe.
I’m seriously not trying to be a dick cuz I really like your videos in the mornings with my coffee and I do plan on a visit. Ok so… I’ve seen guys do pretty big shows with no backups, either guitars, pedals or amp and even had a guy running around trying to borrow a b string because he brought one guitar. So shame on Jonathan for “trying to have more than one guitar” at a gig you need at least 2 more than likely 3, especially if your going out of state
I’ve never had a guitar refretted in over 40 years of playing, and I own some guitars from the 60s and 70s that have never had a refret. Had (and still have) some that have visible divots, but never had any that caused any audible problems, and that’s all that matters. I think that in matters of instruments, before making changes/repairs/modifications, people should use their ears, instead of their eyes or because of dogmas of what you’re “supposed to” do or not do.
@Casino Guitars I have a Huge closet with a couch in it, where I keep my Queens and my Skeletons. lol Seriously tho, I lied and I'm so ashamed. Well, I didn't really LIE, I just didn't file my fret ends like I said I would. I just let it hang there on the wall all lonely and such as punishment for biting me and drawing blood. It's my fault really. I noodled once on it and it had sharpies and it needed some very minor adjustments. So I adjusted 2 of the pickups and the trem and... I just couldn't put it down and HAD to play it Just a Bit More and... Ouuch! If I had a wall hanger in the corner that's where she would be. I'll get around to it in a few days when my finger is better. Cause I Will Noodle when the frets ain't sharp. That, and I'm lazy. lol Merry Christmas.
I have a '93 American Standard Strat (an "old-school" American Standard) and I am considering at least a partial refret. I did consider putting on a new neck, but I'd rather keep the bones of the guitar original.
Partial refret is a false economy unless it’s literally the 1st 3 frets and it’s never been played out of the cowboy chords. The reason being you have to file the new frets more than you would a refret , but it still means you have to level and crown the whole board to make sure everything is level and will not buzz. The time saved is not worth it and the cost of the fret wire is so cheap relatively
Refretting doesn't hurt value in any way if it's done to a origional spec,(size of fretwire)an if isnt it doesn't hurt value unless we are talking about the dreaded knibs on gibsons ...workmanship an craftsmanship are always the factors, if you spec a gibson to origional specs of the 60's it will have a flat ground frets which isnt done all that often unless asked apon request ...its the mojo we believe that keeps us from making the jump in fear of it ruining the guitar
My first guitar needs a refret... somewhere close to 50 years old, and the frets around the 10th fret are flat... Sadly, the cost is more than the guitar is worth...
I only use Elixir strings, and even some guitars I have gigged with after 10 years have no noticeable fret wear. I would refret anything I play that needs it regardless of value, but I don't believe in saving things for someone else, like the people who buy sports cars and don't drive them to negatively effect the value. I work Gard for my money and when I buy something I use it. If I don't intend on using it I don't but it. I am not a collector of anything.
My grandfather would not use his turn signal for fear “of burning out the light bulb” even as a young little kid. I couldnt explain to him the logic of how dangerous that was to avoid something that doesnt matter if you aren’t using it anyway. Life wears things out. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying wearing things out
Thanks I am going through the should I get a refret who should I have do it can I do it myself thing. So I didn't really come to a conclusion, so hey you didn't help at all! Darn it
Having a guitar with frets that are too low to play is a nightmare guys you burn your fingers all over the board which ads fatigue,, and its like having a car with no tyres,, it could be a much easier ride.. The trick with a good refret jonathan is they need the ends clamping because they arnt virgin slots,, be brave and get it done
I bought a 1966 jazzmaster once for $900 in the early 2000”s it needed a reFret well at the time I didn’t know anyone who did that kind of thing or really have the funds to do it so after about a year I traded it in on a guitar I could play and I don’t have that guitar anymore I can’t even remember what it was .. so dumb
A good argument for Stainless Steel frets...$300.00 for a refret X the number of guitars in the stable... Too much $$$. So favorite guitars are candidates for stainless steel refrets. 304 guitars have a Kick Starter in the works with a stainless steel fretboard with integral frets that is impressive 😉😎👍 Perhaps a built-in heater for cold days would be a good idea...? 😎👍❤🖖
I've done a dozen refrets, all on cheap guitars as a learning experience. But, if someone asked me to refret a vintage guitar I'd refer them to a real pro.
If you have a real vintage guitar, how much does a re-fret affect the resale price? I’ve always heard that even a nice re-fret or re-finish negatively affects the value.
I’ve heard, depending on the guitar, you may want to consider retiring the guitar and buy a new one. It depends on whether the target market, as far as the value, is collectors or players. A collector is going to want all original, but a player is going to want the neck and fretboard to feel nice
@@honkytonkinson9787 that’s what I’ve always heard as well. I’ll never sell any of my collection, but I’m sure when I’m dead and gone my kids will be looking for the maximum return on MY investment. Haha!!
In my opinion, every guitar no matter how vintage or pricey or even if it's a cheap thing, It was built to be played so it should be played. I can't stand when somebody has a really cool old guitar and they just put it on display and never play it. That's not what it was meant for!
12:15 haha Don't you hate finding a vintage guitar under the lamp, stuffed under the table, that is under the couch, in the back of the closet, in the hallway inside the walk-in closet of the master bedroom of the tent stored in the basement of the garage?
When is my Lunar Ice going to be delivered? You know the one behind you that I am going to win. Is it a coincidence that Baxter and the name Dexter are so close? Hmmm
When you are a player you refret and keep playing it unless super fragile hollowbody , the old rule of thumb was when it cant be used for Slide work the frets are Shot. When your Primary focus is value, what is the value of something you cant play, wont play because refretting it would reflect in its Resale value. Plus it has to be someone capable of handling that vintage guitar as well
If it’s vintage just keep the original frets in the case for the cool factor.. you kinda need frets to play it, I don’t see a problem with putting new frets on!
First off , Baxter you are whacked, Rock and Roll biz casual can’t have that hoodie, did u borrow that jacket from Johnathan? lol. If you play your guitar, refret is a must. I have a ‘93 Strat plus neck that had been scalloped, worth the 300 bones to get it done. Med jumbo heaven. Ruderik out
I can do my own re-frets but in my head I think it makes more sense to have so many guitars you never have to re-fret them because you spread the wear across your “harem” if you will
I’m of the same mind. However a couple my older guitars need refretting because I only had those guitars to learn on. I do like the stainless steel frets on my Wolfgang special, I’ll wear out before they do.
I like the way you think, but I can't argue with the other reply either. My first guitar will soon need to be crowned and leveled but I have more guitars now so probably won't ever need a re-fret.
Oh for sure and eventually everything will need to be level crowned and polished and the nut will need to be filed to compensate over time. Eventually you’ll run out material and need the re-fret and a new nut. My comment is mostly smartassery. I kind of prefer taller fret wire just so I don’t have to refret as much and I like a bit of that floaty feel too. My first decent guitar had jumbo frets and it made it feel scalloped. Man did that thing rip
But there is always that one...
@@lefthandedguitars7181 especially if you’re a lefty 😉
I used to take lessons at a place called Gryphon Stringed Instruments in Palo Alto. Every week I would come in 20-30 minutes before my lesson and sit around playing one of the many incredible instruments they had on the wall. One day I was running through some lesson material (Bluegrass guitar) on an old Martin. This guy was sitting a few stools away and struck up a conversation with me. He commented on how he could never get that bluegrass stuff to sound right. I asked what he played and he said 'mostly finger style'. In a little while, Frank came out with his guitar in a case and he was on his way. Then Frank says to me 'Do you know who that was?' I did not. Frank said that's Tuck (Andress) - he comes in once a year for a refret. I said 'once a year!?'. Frank says yeah, he plays the shit out of his guitar. Anyhow - Tuck is a super nice guy - and he plays the shit out of his guitar.
I had three guitars refretted. Fenders have notoriously soft frets. Instead of spending time or money crowning or polishing, I went straight to stainless. Those are the guitars I play the most as stainless frets with Elixir strings make for a great, slinky feel. I even went stainless on my 1966 Framus. No regrets.
Had my 83 strat re fretted recently. I took the opportunity to put the largest fret wire possible and the feel is amazing now. Separate and distinct from the other strats, highly recommend.
I have a lot of guitars and I've only gotten a refret once. It was on my les paul. it was expensive, but it really brought the guitar back from the dead and made it my favorite guitar again
Jonathan’s new single: “Your hair is bread, slowly rising” Love your show!
Stainless steel frets. Two of my main guitars have 'em. Worth the investment. Haven't worn out yet, and it's nice that they always sound and feel the same and that bends don't eventually fret out over time.
What did you pay for refretting your guitar with stainless steel. I would like to know to have a reference for my guitar. I have a Mexican maple neck. But after 3 year it 's already flattened a lot. I play gun's and roses with a lot of bending.
The. More you wait the more$$$@@koenvantornhaut9226
Timely video. I changed the strings on my Squier CV 60s Custom yesterday. First guitar I've loved so much that there is now plenty of wear. Fretboard is worn in the cowboy chord area and frets showing divots. I love it; looks played to the max.
Picked up a 1979 the Paul last year. This guitar was a project guitar for me. I had a friend do a re fret that turned out amazing. Now it looks and plays the way it should.
I just found y’all on Spotify and just wanted to tell you I thought it was a really cool podcast. It was really interesting to here how you guys thought of the whole Travis Scott situation.
Thanks for the work you guys put in the podcast and your UA-cam channel! 👍👍
been researching this a ton recently. great timing
So what”s your advice?
When I bought my ‘86 335 it was already twenty years old and had clearly been played hard. Nobody was trying to hide anything. I bought it as a restoration project because it whilst was basically phuqued… to have been played that hard it had to be a particularly good guitar (because nobody could put it down, right?). So when I first picked it up it was more or less unplayable. That it needed refretting was always understood and priced into the purchase, and the guitar shop that sold it to me (now sadly defunct Chandler Guitars in Kew, South West London) set their premier luthier up to do the work. He phoned me when it was done to ask if I’d sell it to him! Everybody says its a one in five thousand 335 but I’d never have it if I hadn’t been open to the idea that frets are a bit like the tires on your car. They need to be renewed every thirty thousand miles or so. And to be clear, I didn’t know that when I first saw my 335. But the very kindly and experienced people at Chandlers helped me through it all, educating me, holding my hand when I ever questioned the wisdom of sinking all that money into a guitar I didn’t know how it was even going to play when it was refurbished. Anyway I’ve still got it and it’s not for sale!
I've been wondering about a refret for my Les Paul recently so thank you for this video. It's an '88 that I got almost 30 years ago when I was 16. Not vintage by any stretch but it's been my main gigging guitar since then and, while I've kept it (mostly) well maintained, I've never really seriously thought about a refret until the last year or so. The allure of a new guitar so often overpowers the the logic of making an already great guitar feel new again.
My friend who owns and 80’s les Paul as well that has been his main axe since he got it recently got it refretted with jumbo frets, it was a major improvement over the frets he had since they had been worn down so much. one was actually almost falling out😂
@@bubba5246 Thank you for the info, that's very encouraging. Of all the upgrades/improvements one can make to a guitar, a refret feels among the most "permanent" so it's good to hear any success stories. Cheers.
Hey Team Casino! I wish you guys would have showed us examples of when our guitars need to have minor work or an entire re-fret and fixing the fretboard? Like how does one qualify the definition of “absolutely necessary” work without seeing examples? Can you make a follow up video to show us different levels of minor/major wear and when you’d consider doing work + the type of work you’d do on them?
My full sized KLOS Hybrid Deluxe is starting to develop some divots on the fret wire and some wear on the fingerboard. I’ve only been playing 1.5 years with that one guitar. I’ve been wondering what I can do to prevent further damage or at least protect it a bit more beyond polishing the fret wire and conditioning the fretboard wood. I do a deep clean/polish/condition when I change the strings on it every 2-3 months. I’m using high quality coated D’addario Acoustic Phosphor Bronze XT (tried the XS strings once). The guitar never leaves my apartment in Queens, NY and sits on a guitar stand when not in use. I play it almost every day. Any advice? Can I do anything about the minor wear? When is the right time to either do work myself or really bring it to a tech?
I'm hypnotized by that shiny gold logo on your magnatone jacket ;-)
I am literally thinking about getting one of my Strat’s refretted and this was top of my UA-cam homepage!
It is a Sign!
Have an old Ovation that I used for the church. Could use some new frets for the cowboy chord area. Big surprise, right? Is there such a thing as just replacing a few frets?
Baxter got them angel hands. Soft and supple.
2005 I saw Lou Reed in Atlanta at the Midtown Music Festival. Apparently he was already in a mood when he got there after finding out it wasn't a solo show vs a festival. His amp cut out. We were close enough to hear him scream at his amp tech. "Thank god I'm in a big rock n roll band so I can just quit playing," he said to the audience.
Gotta refret once in a while! I have an '89 Tele that I bought in 1990. The first 4 frets had grooves in them that got too deep. Finally had it refretted in 2018 and it was the best thing I ever did. Like a brand new guitar!
My 61 les paul jr has worn and beat up frets but they're still very usable. The fingerboard looks like it's been hit with a hammer in spots too but I love it. I play it at every gig and I gig a lot. It'll need a refret sometime in the near future but until then
Baxter- I appreciate your “just play it” mentality. The beauty is in the imperfections, unless you’re speaking with Mr. Paul Smith, lol
Right on there and thanks for sharing that!
On the side topic of backup gear - When I would play live I would take an electro-harmonix .44 magnum (pedal sized amp) with just in case. Small and cheap and good in a pinch.
I'm in Mississippi! Where is Jonathon playing this weekend?
I need to refret my 90's Epiphone Coronet so badly. It's become a fretless wonder. Sadly it seems to be hard to find someone in North Florida. I'm gonna get it done as I truly miss playing it.
my two main guitars are old enough to have pretty worn frets. a 92 Rickenbacker and a late 70's guild acoustic. but I'm so used to it.
when I play something with modern jumbo frets I'm pretty thrown off
I’m glad I pulled this up..I got a 91 52 reissue tele and I think I’m NOT going to refret..I don’t play out..I just like collecting..but I do have a 2009 60th anniversary strat that I may do..
about 5 years ago i got a 79 les paul custom (silverbusrt =P) i think its been needing a refret since i bought it but ive been way too scared to do it
I have my dad's 1964 Gretsch clipper with it's original frets. Some frets have very noticeable grooves worn into them.
The Tele-Strat (Tele shape body/71 Strat neck) that my dad built in 72 has the smallest, flattest lil frets I've ever seen. They're so cute and tiny. That guitar has been played to death. But it is magically SO EFFIN' PLAYABLE! It wants a little lighter touch but it blays like butter. So weird.
I’ve been doing all my guitars with the gold EVO frets and they are so much better feeling and slicker and harder than normal nickel . I would recommend them to everyone 😎👍
I’ve only had to re-fret one guitar and it was a D-28 that the first 5 needed it badly. I think it’s noticed more on acoustic.
If I was looking at dropping vintage cash and there were two identical vintage guitars for the same price, but one had no frets and the other had a refret that was as good as original, I'd take the refret every time
How much refretting take off a vintage guitar? Considering that I may want to keep playing a little bit longer?
I’ve never needed a refret but I’m always apprehensive about who to let do it if I did. I have a avri with vintage frets that I’d love some vintage talls on
Always fun.
I have a fret press but I've yet to use it. I did use it to try and fixed a collapsed epiphone tun-o-matic bridge. It broke😒
How does it affect the fretboard if re fretting is done so often over the years?
I got my Les Paul re-fretted by Hanson & Crawford in Durham. It is absolute perfection.
what size ?...did they keep the nibs ?
I wonder if the Gruhn's policy came about because far too many people were set to purchase a consigned guitar and would ask to 'throw in a refret.' Over time that $ would really add up, and this way they don't eat that margin.
Definitely!
I don't know what's around Johnathan's neck, but it takes him one step closer to a Lord of the Rings character for me. :D
I had a Gibson Flying V2 from 1981 that I finally had to have refretted after 30 years of constant playing! The frets were barely existent and there was no way to level/crown them without making them even with the fretboard. It was a true "fretless wonder" Gibson. 😎 I still hemmed and hawed over the decision, but if I was going to play it, I had to give it my all.
I click on the video for the 45 seconds that are actually about the topic and stay for the ADD rabbit trails! 😂 Great video as always guys 👍
Instruments are meant to be played. My son recently returned a Carvin Bolt I gave him many moons ago, that he rarely played and just sat in the case for around the last 5 years. Initially it played awful. I polished the frets, cleaned the fretboard (rosewood) and changed the strings and now it plays GREAT!! I play it regularly now and it just keeps getting better. If you are not a collector and have guitars you do not play, make sure you get them to someone who will play them :)
I have a Carvin Bolt (maple fretboard) that I just cleaned with steel wool and polished the frets with and then put tung oil on. Followed a great Carvin/Kiesel video you can find online. 20 year old guitar and it plays even better now and looks new. The Carvin Bolts that were made by Carvin are great guitars. I couldn't touch anything close today that isn't twice or more what I paid then. I did notice some of the frets have divots in them, which is how I ended up here. Definitely a guitar I want to keep playing as long as possible, so a refret might be in the future.
I think some fret wire seems softer than others. My Taylor wears more quickly than anything else and I don’t play it more or harder. That I did a partial refret on. Baxter would win. He’s wiry, his hair belies the sleeping energy inside him, and I know he can come up with an insane intimidating look that would frighten Aragog. Jonathon, when you figure out where in Mississippi you’ll be let us know.
There are two hardness standards: 12% and 18% nickel alloy. I believe Gibson and PRS use 18% pretty dependably. You can bend fretwire repeatedly to increase its hardness. Feed 18% through a fret bender 10 times and it will be almost as hard as stainless. It your frets wear fast, the manufacturer cheaped out and used 12%
I use a Helix, and yah, you gotta have a backup. It doesn't have to be another Helix, though. I pack an HX stomp as an emergency backup. I've never had to use it, but it's there and it's got all the same patches loaded. It's not as easy to use, but it'll get the job done.
Just gave my old Martin a re-fret & neck reset. Now it plays better than new! If your not a collector than I say get the work done.
Tom, Tim, session fellas need their guitars to be in top condition, they also have a preference to what wire works best for them.What you can get away with on the road you can't in the studio. Respect and stay healthy all.
I've got a 2007 PRS McCarty. It needs a fret level but it otherwise in mint condition. It's my favorite guitar so I play it a lot. I keep struggling with whether to sell it as is and upgrade to a more modern version of the same guitar or or level the frets and keep it. The agony of this decision is for some reason plaguing me for MONTHS now! XD
Love Gibson's but hate the small flat frets. Changed them but not touching my 72 335.
My Strat's got janky frets but it plays just fine with 8s and my light touch.
When you worry about something two different times is that a refret.
What is the price for a decent refret job on a Mexican Stratocaster with 21 frets with stainless steel frets. I would like to have a reference for my guitar. Do I ask fender shop or a local luthier? 300€ or more like 500?
one of the guitars I built should be re-freted ... not because they are worn out but because I was experimenting with a compound radius while at the same time building a prototype machine to auto radius my fret board while I worked on other stuff. The machine worked great but I built it about an inch too short and ended up radiusing the last 2 inches of the fret board by hand . Also being impatient and rushing to get the job done so I could put it together and play it. So that one needs to be done and it will be my first fret removal , re-radius and re-fret job... good skill to have
The timing of this is funny. I'm having my first guitar (a '77 Strat) finally refretted. I just can't play it with low frets and I want to bring it back into circulation.
The story about the guy who 's modeler crapped out happened to a friend of mine back in the 90s. It was an ART effects rack-unit and cost more than his Marshall stack. It went tits-up before a gig. That's when he discovered he was playing his rack and not his guitar. The ART got fixed and sold and he went back to guitar-cable-3 or 4 pedals-cable-amp.
Former roomie had a guy (the : "I know a guy" kind) half finish a fret job and had to do a gig with the neck looking & feeling more like 2 feet of toy train track.
Going play it... gotta fret it
“Kicked the bucket” I think is what Baxter was trying to say. Lol.
I have an old Epiphone acoustic that has been played so long the frets are almost gone- there is notches in them where the strings hit them. The notches are on the first four frets- where you generally chord it. My uncle bought it, played it until the neck broke off- threw it in the trash. I dug it out of the trash, brought it to my dad- who was a luthier and had a shop in our basement where he repaired instruments for ppl. Well, he didn't want to be bothered with this relatively inexpensive Epiphone, so he just epoxied the neck and the bridge back on the guitar. Didn't even bother using clear epoxy- it's amber. I proceed to then play it for the next 20 years- it sounded and played great. But- now the bridge has started letting go again, the frets are completely worn out- if you try and take the bridge off and fix it properly it's going to tear the front up- that's why you don't use epoxy. So, it's done, I think. I'm going to let a local guy look at it but I'm pretty sure he's going to see that epoxy and pass.
I have a 80s Fender jazz bass that was played to hell before I got it. It's damn near fretless in since places. It's still a good time.
My Mom use to fret a lot and now she doesn’t give a crap. Lol. She was a spit fire too. I guess I may fret to if you don’t win that arm wrestling contest.
I have a 1985 Tokai s-type that I love but a fret job is practically what the guitar is worth so what to do?
Ok,
Question. My kid dropped my strat face forward and dented the 12th fret at the g string. Created a dent that makes it impossible to play. Can you replace just one fret???!
Yes, you can.
Yeh course, they're not all joined together
The question is, though, can you replace the kid ?
I kid of course. Mostly 😉
@@raytorvalds3699 haha
OK, so... who is James in some of your earlier videos?
Stop by the store they say. Yeah…I was just in Mebane and didn’t realize you were so close.
Re-fret or replace neck? Wasn't that part of the reason Fender makes a bolt on neck?
I really like the low, wide frets on my early 70's ES-345. I really hope I never have to refret it. I don't know if any modern frets would have the same feel, unless you really ground those puppies down.
Jescar makes a variety of special fret sizes in the main three materials- Nickel silver, Stainless, and EVO. They have one size that's .037" x .105" iirc that would fit well, and being so low already, you could consider getting amore durable material.
If it’s a custom shop or vintage fender could you not just buy another neck to play on but keep the original neck for selling purposes?
If I had a vintage guitar that needed a refret because it's unplayable, it would be a no brainer for me.
Refret it so I can play it ! That is what guitars are for.
But only if it's unplayable. I would leave it be if it's still playable.
I bought a Gibson 1964 reissue ES-345 and hated, hated, hated the low frets, took it to 30th Street Guitars and Matt Brewster did a refret and that guitar just absolutely KILLS now with the taller frets, it is louder, plays better and bends are a breeze.
Yo Baxter, hey Johnathan,
Baxter I have the same problem with my hair. They tell me it's call colect, when your hair falicals at birth are like twisted all up. It helped me if I grow a mullet, I guess cause all the weight of your hair kinda helped me keep it a little straighter. Lol that was in the 80s. I don't have to worry about it, because, you know most men lose there hair. Lmao, so like me, I went thru life with a funny doo. But it all good now because I'm pretty much bald. So don't fret about your hair, at least you have hair, lol for now.
Take care guys. Stay safe.
I’m seriously not trying to be a dick cuz I really like your videos in the mornings with my coffee and I do plan on a visit. Ok so… I’ve seen guys do pretty big shows with no backups, either guitars, pedals or amp and even had a guy running around trying to borrow a b string because he brought one guitar. So shame on Jonathan for “trying to have more than one guitar” at a gig you need at least 2 more than likely 3, especially if your going out of state
2:55 my whole guitar playing journey as a teen lol
Is the answer different for blues lawyers?
I’ve never had a guitar refretted in over 40 years of playing, and I own some guitars from the 60s and 70s that have never had a refret. Had (and still have) some that have visible divots, but never had any that caused any audible problems, and that’s all that matters. I think that in matters of instruments, before making changes/repairs/modifications, people should use their ears, instead of their eyes or because of dogmas of what you’re “supposed to” do or not do.
@Casino Guitars I have a Huge closet with a couch in it, where I keep my Queens and my Skeletons. lol Seriously tho, I lied and I'm so ashamed. Well, I didn't really LIE, I just didn't file my fret ends like I said I would. I just let it hang there on the wall all lonely and such as punishment for biting me and drawing blood. It's my fault really. I noodled once on it and it had sharpies and it needed some very minor adjustments. So I adjusted 2 of the pickups and the trem and... I just couldn't put it down and HAD to play it Just a Bit More and... Ouuch! If I had a wall hanger in the corner that's where she would be. I'll get around to it in a few days when my finger is better. Cause I Will Noodle when the frets ain't sharp. That, and I'm lazy. lol Merry Christmas.
I have a '93 American Standard Strat (an "old-school" American Standard) and I am considering at least a partial refret. I did consider putting on a new neck, but I'd rather keep the bones of the guitar original.
Partial refret is a false economy unless it’s literally the 1st 3 frets and it’s never been played out of the cowboy chords. The reason being you have to file the new frets more than you would a refret , but it still means you have to level and crown the whole board to make sure everything is level and will not buzz. The time saved is not worth it and the cost of the fret wire is so cheap relatively
Refretting doesn't hurt value in any way if it's done to a origional spec,(size of fretwire)an if isnt it doesn't hurt value unless we are talking about the dreaded knibs on gibsons ...workmanship an craftsmanship are always the factors, if you spec a gibson to origional specs of the 60's it will have a flat ground frets which isnt done all that often unless asked apon request ...its the mojo we believe that keeps us from making the jump in fear of it ruining the guitar
My first guitar needs a refret... somewhere close to 50 years old, and the frets around the 10th fret are flat...
Sadly, the cost is more than the guitar is worth...
I had to refret a brand new Gibson Les Paul the fretwork from the factory looked like the hills of Dover.
I only use Elixir strings, and even some guitars I have gigged with after 10 years have no noticeable fret wear. I would refret anything I play that needs it regardless of value, but I don't believe in saving things for someone else, like the people who buy sports cars and don't drive them to negatively effect the value. I work Gard for my money and when I buy something I use it. If I don't intend on using it I don't but it. I am not a collector of anything.
My grandfather would not use his turn signal for fear “of burning out the light bulb” even as a young little kid. I couldnt explain to him the logic of how dangerous that was to avoid something that doesnt matter if you aren’t using it anyway. Life wears things out. Don’t let that stop you from enjoying wearing things out
Thanks I am going through the should I get a refret who should I have do it can I do it myself thing. So I didn't really come to a conclusion, so hey you didn't help at all! Darn it
I had to refrett one guitar, because the fretts felt as notched as serrated steak knives.
Having a guitar with frets that are too low to play is a nightmare guys you burn your fingers all over the board which ads fatigue,, and its like having a car with no tyres,, it could be a much easier ride.. The trick with a good refret jonathan is they need the ends clamping because they arnt virgin slots,, be brave and get it done
I bought a 1966 jazzmaster once for $900 in the early 2000”s it needed a reFret well at the time I didn’t know anyone who did that kind of thing or really have the funds to do it so after about a year I traded it in on a guitar I could play and I don’t have that guitar anymore I can’t even remember what it was .. so dumb
A good argument for Stainless Steel frets...$300.00 for a refret X the number of guitars in the stable...
Too much $$$.
So favorite guitars are candidates for stainless steel refrets.
304 guitars have a Kick Starter in the works with a stainless steel fretboard with integral frets that is impressive 😉😎👍
Perhaps a built-in heater for cold days would be a good idea...?
😎👍❤🖖
I've done a dozen refrets, all on cheap guitars as a learning experience. But, if someone asked me to refret a vintage guitar I'd refer them to a real pro.
If you have a real vintage guitar, how much does a re-fret affect the resale price? I’ve always heard that even a nice re-fret or re-finish negatively affects the value.
I’ve heard, depending on the guitar, you may want to consider retiring the guitar and buy a new one. It depends on whether the target market, as far as the value, is collectors or players. A collector is going to want all original, but a player is going to want the neck and fretboard to feel nice
@@honkytonkinson9787 that’s what I’ve always heard as well. I’ll never sell any of my collection, but I’m sure when I’m dead and gone my kids will be looking for the maximum return on MY investment. Haha!!
Baxter has Bread head !! lol
In my opinion, every guitar no matter how vintage or pricey or even if it's a cheap thing, It was built to be played so it should be played. I can't stand when somebody has a really cool old guitar and they just put it on display and never play it. That's not what it was meant for!
12:15 haha Don't you hate finding a vintage guitar under the lamp, stuffed under the table, that is under the couch, in the back of the closet, in the hallway inside the walk-in closet of the master bedroom of the tent stored in the basement of the garage?
One should refret every time he/she loses an arm wrestling match. Jon's gonna need a refret.
may even end up just pulling bondi fret board and putting rosewood on it instead
When is my Lunar Ice going to be delivered? You know the one behind you that I am going to win. Is it a coincidence that Baxter and the name Dexter are so close? Hmmm
When you are a player you refret and keep playing it unless super fragile hollowbody , the old rule of thumb was when it cant be used for Slide work the frets are Shot. When your Primary focus is value, what is the value of something you cant play, wont play because refretting it would reflect in its Resale value. Plus it has to be someone capable of handling that vintage guitar as well
Great points:)
I fortunately play so light the regretting hasn’t had to happen on any of my pieces…Johnny…oh yes though:)
*obligatory* Is that a PRS Silver Sky?
That’s the one we are giving away in the 50k subscriber contest!
The Harley Benton pedals are re badged joyo pedals
If it’s vintage just keep the original frets in the case for the cool factor.. you kinda need frets to play it, I don’t see a problem with putting new frets on!
First off , Baxter you are whacked, Rock and Roll biz casual can’t have that hoodie, did u borrow that jacket from Johnathan? lol. If you play your guitar, refret is a must. I have a ‘93 Strat plus neck that had been scalloped, worth the 300 bones to get it done. Med jumbo heaven.
Ruderik out
Jonathan keeps an extra bass player in the wings, LOL?