Current cost of a refret
Moderators: Slowy, Capt. Black
- robnobcorncob
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 4630
- meble-kuchenne.warszawa.pl
- Joined: Fri Aug 31, 2007 10:22 pm
- Has liked: 122 times
- Been liked: 103 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
It's not hard to mask them off, but more time consuming.
Fender used to lacquer over the frets which leads to the chipped lacquer over the fret sides that you mention. This is another reason why maple necks are less fun to re-fret if there's heavy lacquer, you have to cut the lacquer off the sides of the fret before removing it. Of course if it's an older Fender neck then you have to remove the frets out the side rather than lifting them out like usual as they were installed sideways in the first place. This combined with lacquer can lead to chip out if you don't know what you're doing and you aren't careful.
The ones that give me nightmares are Rickenbackers with lacquer over the fingerboard (on a rosewood board!) along with binding(!!) and nibs(!!!) I consulted with the customer and gave it a fret-dress rather than a re-fret and he was happy. '70s 330 from memory, Maple-glo with a great patina. Sounded killer.
Fender used to lacquer over the frets which leads to the chipped lacquer over the fret sides that you mention. This is another reason why maple necks are less fun to re-fret if there's heavy lacquer, you have to cut the lacquer off the sides of the fret before removing it. Of course if it's an older Fender neck then you have to remove the frets out the side rather than lifting them out like usual as they were installed sideways in the first place. This combined with lacquer can lead to chip out if you don't know what you're doing and you aren't careful.
The ones that give me nightmares are Rickenbackers with lacquer over the fingerboard (on a rosewood board!) along with binding(!!) and nibs(!!!) I consulted with the customer and gave it a fret-dress rather than a re-fret and he was happy. '70s 330 from memory, Maple-glo with a great patina. Sounded killer.
- GrantB
- ADMIN
- Posts: 15906
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
- Location: Where I need to be
- Has liked: 1360 times
- Been liked: 2098 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
What’s really fun is Ricky’s use what they call “varnish”! I got some a little while back to do a Ricky....not easy to use, but it does come out well. Overtime it dries rock hard...buffs well.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Jay
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 7809
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:35 pm
- Has liked: 1634 times
- Been liked: 1300 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
I think that one is sitting idle in my wardrobe awaiting collection.... Beer's been cold for months now...GrantB wrote:What’s really fun is Ricky’s use what they call “varnish”! I got some a little while back to do a Ricky....not easy to use, but it does come out well. Overtime it dries rock hard...buffs well.
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.
- GrantB
- ADMIN
- Posts: 15906
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
- Location: Where I need to be
- Has liked: 1360 times
- Been liked: 2098 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
Aye?
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- GrantB
- ADMIN
- Posts: 15906
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
- Location: Where I need to be
- Has liked: 1360 times
- Been liked: 2098 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
Here's my halfway through buffing Strummers ricky following a refret. That's varnish, proper oil based.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Jay
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 7809
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:35 pm
- Has liked: 1634 times
- Been liked: 1300 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
yep that is the one in the wardrobe
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.
- rickenbackerkid
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 6718
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:52 pm
- Has liked: 208 times
- Been liked: 656 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
double truss rod, huge thick slab of rosewood. aahhh, guitars made right!robnobcorncob wrote: The ones that give me nightmares are Rickenbackers with lacquer over the fingerboard (on a rosewood board!) along with binding(!!) and nibs(!!!)
- GrantB
- ADMIN
- Posts: 15906
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
- Location: Where I need to be
- Has liked: 1360 times
- Been liked: 2098 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
Tweakedbbrunskill wrote:double truss rod, huge thick slab of bubinga. aahhh, guitars made right!robnobcorncob wrote: The ones that give me nightmares are Rickenbackers with lacquer over the fingerboard (on a rosewood board!) along with binding(!!) and nibs(!!!)
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- rickenbackerkid
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 6718
- Joined: Thu Apr 28, 2005 1:52 pm
- Has liked: 208 times
- Been liked: 656 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
yes, true that . . . I think mine is the real stuff (ooooeeer) but in essence I don't really care!
-
- Stagg
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Wed Dec 19, 2007 10:37 pm
- Location: Koputai
- Has liked: 2 times
- Been liked: 2 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
cheers for all the responses folks. $600 seems a little high by the sounds of it - luthier is Kenny Duncan, new to Dunedin, so don't know much about his work but he seems to have credentials. I believe he was in Wellington originally? Guitar is an early 70s tele that I'm rather fond of and a little nervous about strangers having a go at the neck. Luckily I have a loving wife who hasn't put the foot down on the guitar acquisition, so I have a few other nice gats I can play while I make up my mind.
- GrantB
- ADMIN
- Posts: 15906
- Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2003 9:04 am
- Location: Where I need to be
- Has liked: 1360 times
- Been liked: 2098 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
Others have experience with him, I do not.
What you see above on the Ricky is how a maple Tele neck should be done. I’ve done many 70s Teles this way but with poly lacquer as per Fender formula. I’ve done a few with nitro too. Personally I’m a nitro fan...for the smell!
I’d be happy to assist with a neck-off refret but understand your reticence. Best wishes with whatever you choose.
What you see above on the Ricky is how a maple Tele neck should be done. I’ve done many 70s Teles this way but with poly lacquer as per Fender formula. I’ve done a few with nitro too. Personally I’m a nitro fan...for the smell!
I’d be happy to assist with a neck-off refret but understand your reticence. Best wishes with whatever you choose.
"Man is the most insane species. He worships an invisible god and destroys a visible nature. Unaware that this nature he's destroying is this god he's worshipping." - Hubert Reeves
- Bg
- Site Admin
- Posts: 43309
- Joined: Fri Sep 05, 2003 12:13 am
- Location: Auckland
- Has liked: 2264 times
- Been liked: 3909 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
Very mixed reviews of his work, may be worth talking to others who have more experience with him.shednz wrote:cheers for all the responses folks. $600 seems a little high by the sounds of it - luthier is Kenny Duncan, new to Dunedin, so don't know much about his work but he seems to have credentials. I believe he was in Wellington originally? Guitar is an early 70s tele that I'm rather fond of and a little nervous about strangers having a go at the neck. Luckily I have a loving wife who hasn't put the foot down on the guitar acquisition, so I have a few other nice gats I can play while I make up my mind.
So, is that low alcohol or no alcohol at all? mmmm, no alcohol, do you want to try it? Noooooooooo.
-
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 3108
- Joined: Mon Oct 03, 2011 1:35 pm
- Has liked: 49 times
- Been liked: 234 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
shednz wrote:- luthier is Kenny Duncan, new to Dunedin,.
I would do a search of his name on here for starters. I have no experience or opinion but looks like 'very mixed reviews' is a very polite way of describing things.
They keep telling me tone is in the fingers, but I have yet to see a "look at my fingers" thread.
Lawrence wrote: Every orchestra that comes thru here is a covers band as are most of the jazz bands...
- Jay
- Vintage Post Junkie
- Posts: 7809
- Joined: Sat Sep 25, 2010 9:35 pm
- Has liked: 1634 times
- Been liked: 1300 times
Re: Current cost of a refret
If the work he does is super good then the rip off pricing is merely a premium you pay for the superb workmanship...Frey wrote:Kenny's overpriced, a rip off merchant
When faced with quality, I recognise it every time.