69 Les Paul Custom Re Fret

[jcm800x4]

I have a 1969 black les paul custom. I've owned this guitar for a LONG time. Its worn and well used and Its time for a refret. I'm scared to let just anyone do it. I don't mind shipping it as long as the person perfoming the job is reputable and does an excellent job. It is hands down the best sounding LP I've ever owned. The guitar is all original at this point but the frets are near un playable. Any suggestions on who to send it to? If I'm going to have this done I want it done by the best.

 

[mooncobra]

gary brawer, he is really good. I would trust him with anything. san Francisco

 

[jcm800x4]

gary brawer, he is really good. I would trust him with anything. san Francisco

Thanks! I will look him up.

 

[OUTLAW1969]

www.philtone.com

If he has completed his move yet, he is one of the best that I know of.

 

[rlord1974]

If you are within driving distance of any major metropolitan area, I personally would find a local luthier with a good rep and go that route.

There is never a good reason to risk shipping a '69 Les Paul Custom - or any expensive guitar for that matter - if the work you want done can be done locally.

Contrary to gear forum lore, fret work is not rocket science or brain surgery - there are PLENTY of good luthiers that can do a quality re-fret on a Les Paul in PLENTY of major markets, so there is likely no reason to have to ship your guitar anywhere.

 

[Shiny_Surface]

My local guy is good but doesn't do stainless steel, I would have to ship as well for a re-fret.

 

[rlord1974]

My local guy is good but doesn't do stainless steel, I would have to ship as well for a re-fret.

I'm not sure if they do stainless steel or not, but it might be worth investigating via a phone call. It's not a far drive for you to get to Toronto.....

http://www.12fret.com/

Plus, our mayor smokes crack!

 

[jcm800x4]

I found a guy in Nashville (I'm in the Memphis area) Joe Glaser...Glaser instruments. Good reviews. Anybody heard of him?

 

[glip22]

Philtone

 

[halebox]

Do you have other stainless fret guitars? Be careful as it may totally change the sound and vibe. I was debating stainless for my 65 sg custom so I played a couple and I think its not my thing.

 

[jcm800x4]

Do you have other stainless fret guitars? Be careful as it may totally change the sound and vibe. I was debating stainless for my 65 sg custom so I played a couple and I think its not my thing.

I do have three with ss frets. But I won't be putting them on this guitar.

 

[DiezelMonster]

If you are in Tennessee I would call http://www.gruhn.com/ Gruhn and ask him who they use, I suspect they might have a tech that knows whats up.

 

[yngwiestrat]

Phil Jacoby - Philtone

He did my 71 and 80 LPCs.. awesome work

 

[Aristocat]

Do you have other stainless fret guitars? Be careful as it may totally change the sound and vibe. I was debating stainless for my 65 sg custom so I played a couple and I think its not my thing.

To be honest, there is no noticeable difference in sound.

The real difference is feel as in smoother bends and slides regardless of fret size.

I went from standard Gibson nickel wire to SS6150 and it wasn't night and day. The three things I noticed was that I could set my action lower. I could do two-three step bends (12'' radius) and that the bends/slides are smoother.

If you're the kinda guy that eats up nickel, SS would be a great option. The guy that did mine in NC took a week and explained the whole folklore surrounding SS vs. Nickel. He said that a lot of luthier's claim that is harder to work with when in all actuality, it's rougher on tools used. They use it as a convenient way of jacking up the cost of the job as well.

To prove that the guy isn't some backwoods hick and that he is established, here's his website. I was only charged $275 for install, dressing and a semi binding replacement.

http://www.danserguitarworks.com

 

[rcm78]

Another vote for Philtone!!! But there has to be some really good guys down in nashville.

 

[FourT6and2]

I've had both of my LP Customs refretted. One was done by Philtone (awesome job, took a long time, though). The other was done by SF Guitarworks. Quick turnaround, just as good as Philtone. But more expensive. Both were done with SS Jescar wire.

I'd recommend Philtone I think. But he's in super high demand.

 

[moronmountain]

Have you had the frets dressed before? If not, maybe you could get by with a good dress?? I would hate having to replace the frets on a guitar that old, just for "mojo" sake.

 

[chunktone]

I found a guy in Nashville (I'm in the Memphis area) Joe Glaser...Glaser instruments. Good reviews. Anybody heard of him?

Joe Glaser is the go to guy here in Nashville. Top notch work and reasonably priced! His shop was the first in the US to have a PLEK machine.

 

[joepete77]

My local guy is good but doesn't do stainless steel, I would have to ship as well for a re-fret.

I'm not sure if they do stainless steel or not, but it might be worth investigating via a phone call. It's not a far drive for you to get to Toronto.....

http://www.12fret.com/

Plus, our mayor smokes crack!

Yeah but he only smokes when he drinks.

 

[ChadVanHalen]

Surely there has to be at least one good luthier in Nashville... I think I just wrote myself a country song...