The Electra Forums

Some of the frets on my 2275s (maple fingerboard) are pretty bad, so I've been doing a little research on re-fretting, and it doesn't seem like a difficult project. Anyone here do a successful re-fret job?

Except for the fret files I have all the recommended tools. I have an arbor press,and could make a fixture to press them in, which is supposed to be better than seating with a hammer.

Just to give it a new feel, I was going to replace all the frets and dress the fingerboard. I have some woodworking experience and good attention to detail.

Feel free to tell me why I'm nuts, or that it is do-able.

My thinking is that I can rebuild, fix, and restore pretty much anything that's come in my path, why not my trusty Electra Strat?

I'm just getting into this. It's involved. A level, radius gauges and the correct radius block(s) are important. You should review the tools and vids on the Stew Mac site as well. You might not need a crowning file and can make your own fret files. Youtube user smbstressfest has a 20-plus set of vids about a Strat re-fret. They are over three and half hours long altogether. Here's a link to one of the vids:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RlTbblPN ... ure=relmfu

I guess it can be called successful, but I wouldn't brag about it. I have re-fretted an acoustic bass to turn it into a baritone guitar, and I came out with mediocre results
I bought pre-radiused fret wire, and even though it had a slightly sharper bend then the fingerboard, it was still very difficult to hammer in (by the way, I have no experience with woodworking what-so-ever). If I had to do it again, I would look for another way other than hammering, you mentioned pressing them and I would definitely recommend that over hammering.
There's a couple different websites and videos on how to make your own jig to pre-radius fretwire, and I would suggest looking into that (I've heard that having a radius that is slightly more bent than the fingerboard is a good thing).
Also, the radius sanding block from stewmac helped a bunch (the cheaper wooden mid-sized one, not the expensive long one). I used it to re-radius the fretboard, and then after putting the frets on to shape them all to the contour of the fretboard. If I had any uneven spots after putting the frets on (which it looked like I did), they were sanded out with the block.
All in all, if I can come out with mediocre results and not have any fret-buzz, I'm sure your results will be better than factory fresh.
Hope that helps a little, and good luck!

There's a Swedish fella over at the Matt and Westone forums who refrets at the drop of a hat and gets very good results indeed; he's done a couple of tutorials fro us and they're certainly easy to follow; when one of mines needs a fretjob then I'll certainly be having a go at it!!

I can't find the posts right now, but Racing is his screen name, and he's a good bloke - reckons you've just got to be real patient if you've not done it before....

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"... and on the eighth day, God created New Zealanders.

Because even the Australians need heroes."

I have refreted my X330. I did a lot of research via the My Les Paul forum and general sites and for this one bought a set of pre cut frets (already corved and with the notch out of the end of each fret so it fitted within the binding. I used no glue just made sure the fret slots were clean and hammers the frets home evenly. Then levelled and recrounded - polished the frets. Even though it was my first job by taking my time I believe I did a good job. Give it a go if you are generally good with your hands.

Stewart

Here is a link to the Westone forum Corsiar spoke about...

http://forum.westoneguitars.net/t831-re ... ebony-neck

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...throw me a frickin' bone here, people...

There is a lot of information here too: http://projectguitar.ibforums.com/index ... topic=5855

I would try it on a cheepo first before a much loved guitar.

The author says "Ebony or rosewood...no matter from that respect.(As long as we´re not talking clearcoated maple its all good)"

Anyone know what's "not good" about a maple fingerboard? That's exactly what my 2275 has!

There is nothing wrong with maple.

There are few issues if you are doing a re-fret. It can be hard to not chip the finish when removing the frets. If you do any sanding on the neck you have to do a re-finish. Some maple necks had the finish sprayed over the frets which can make them harder to pull.

A914,

I've been refretting for 20+ years. It's not rocket science and sounds like you have the skill set. PM me your email address and I will type up the steps and tools I use in Word and send it to you. I still go back to the primitive tools I started with even though I have fancier tools now. Some of the tools can be found for very little money. You will enjoy the process, learn a lot, and possibly develop a skill where you can make extra cash on the side to support your guitar habit.

Let me know and I will help.

Bob

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Bob Long
The Guitar Surgeon (trademarked)
Refrets, restoration, nut/bridgework, general maintenance and repairs
Corpus Christi, TX
361-658-2468

I would be grateful for any refretting tips you have. I'd much rather know how and what to do rather than experiment and learn the hard way. I'm lazy and selfish that way.

Practice and scrap wood.

Thanks for the reply Bob, I'm sending you a PM. Since that post I picked up a nice Aria Pro II TS400, that's worthy of a pro re-fret. I'm using a local guy that's very good, and reasonable (re-frets start at $250). Once he's done, I'll have a good 2nd guitar, so I'll probably forge ahead with my own re-fret on the 2275. Any tips you've got on maple fingerboards will be gladly accepted!

Hey, everyone,

I am typing up a comprehensive overview with great detail regarding tools and how to do stuff. I will post it when I am done. I'm a college prof and classes start on Monday, and I have a 6 and 4 year old with a wife who has a very sore shoulder and neck after moving offices, so be a little paitent with me, but I will get it out as quickly as I can.

Bob

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Bob Long
The Guitar Surgeon (trademarked)
Refrets, restoration, nut/bridgework, general maintenance and repairs
Corpus Christi, TX
361-658-2468

I agree practice, practice, before you work on your good axe. Get a flea market junk shop beater, or see if your local shop has any old broken necks you can practice on... anything just to get the feel. To me the hardest part is pulling the old ones out without chipping the fretboard... Check out Stew Mac for fret press bucks etc... Best of luck. Carl.

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2253w, its not a MPC or a set neck, but it is a sweet tele custom tribute.