The Electra Forums

The frets on my 2242 are almost completely down to the wood. Does anybody have a spare neck? I figure it'd be cheaper to replace the neck than the frets.

If get a re-fret with stainless fretwire, you will be happy for the rest of your life.

Either get a fret job or get what you need to do it yourself (including a DIY guide). You shouldn't replace the neck unless you absolutely have to.

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Who needs a Fender Jazz when you can get a perfectly good Spectrum bass for $50?

Ditto on the refret. If you are worried about money DIY is not the way to go for one guitar though. The tools will cost more than a fret job. SS frets are great but usualy cost more to have dones has they are a bit harder to work on.

How much would a refret cost? I don't have money to throw around.

If what I've seen on the internet is true, then I don't think the refret will be worth it. I guess I'd just let it stay completely vintage?

You might get by with a partial refret of the neck and a dressing up of the other frets?

I have priced complete neck refret jobs of $250 - $350 depending upon the luthier; not to mention shipping costs and insurance if the service wasn't done locally.

However, I would check on any customer recommendations of the luthier you might choose before you make a total commitment; you wouldn't want to get your refurbished axe back that didn't play any better than it did before you had the work done.

There aren't any luthiers in this neck of the woods so I would have to get this kind of service done in Dallas; if that happened I would drive there (5 1/2 hours one way) and deliver and then go back for the pick up when it was finished; I would just feel better to hand deliver and pick up the prized posession.

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

Nope, can't afford that. Never mind.
A dressing wouldn't work because the frets are literally down to the board.

Dont be to hasty in giving up. There are many variables in the cost of a refret. Maple and Rosewood are usually different prices. Rosewood being less. Fingerboard binding will usually drive the cost up. Set necks are often more than Bolt ons etc. Take it to a Guitar shop and have the give you a quote. I know a local shop here that will do it for $150- and the guy does a fantastic job. But then there is a huge store in town as well, that has several luthiers working on sight, that charges much more, and Ive heard many people say that the work is not all that great. Shop around, ask your friends in the area that play. Make sure that if they goof, they have the ability to fix it, and a good reputation. If you are trying to keep your cost down, dont mention Stainless frets, LOL.

Paul

I was going to make the suggestion of standard frets as well. You'll still get more life out of your current neck, and you can save some coin.

If you play the snot out of it, a new (to you - it'll still be used) neck will need a refret at some point anyway.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Electra-Ele ... 3a54ecbce2


Here's a real conversation piece... Not sure how usable it is, but how often do you see a loose neck? Cheers, Mike.

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Wonder what the groove was for?

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

that's a slot, not a groove!!!!

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

OK - I stand corrected

It's a slot -

But WTF??????

RCSBlues

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RCSBlues

maybe they were contemplating doing a slotted headstock like this
http://www.indysworld.com/guitars/Projects/steel/

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My Electra Pages
I have too many projects!

Makes sense.

Thanks,
RCSBlues

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RCSBlues