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NeubyWanKaneuby
Well-known member
Did you get the guitar all put back together? How is it playing?
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CoreyW
Active member
Yes, I got it all back together and everything set back up.. I still have a little more work to do on it. I need to get a better file and bring the fret ends in a little further, I couldnt see in the garage lighting but the binding on the neck had a very slight bevel so I have a little overhang over that bevel and need to remove that. I need to do more final sanding/polishing on the tops, I can feel some very fine file marks still when bending. Lastly, I need to order some shim stock and raise my nut a little.
Overall, I am pretty happy with how its turned out so far and I didnt realize how bad my old frets were, this guitar feels so different with the taller frets on it.
So, regarding the SS vs Nickel debate.. I kind of want to work on one with nickel to see how much difference there is the SS didnt seem to bad to work on, I was thinking it was going to be significantly more difficult to work with. I also feel pretty comfortable in my work that I wouldnt have any confidence issues refretting any of my other non finished maple boards.
JackBootedThug
MURDERATOR
Can I send you a neck?
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Geo
Well-known member
JackBootedThug
MURDERATOR
Guitars plus in Beckley WV quoted me $250 for nickel and 300 for stainless… including a new nut… might attempt this on my plywood hondo.
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CoreyW
Active member
That’s not a bad price from what I have seen, I was initially quoted 650 for nickel and 800 for SS, which is what set me on the path to see if I could do this myself
grimmchaos
Well-known member
That is super cheap..... if they do a good job though that's great.
JackBootedThug
MURDERATOR
I’m told the guy is good but I have no idea…
@SDMF38 would probably know….
@SDMF38 would probably know….
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matttornado
Active member
Take your time and take it one step at a time. No rush.
You'll get a million different answers on how to do one simple thing. Watch YouTube videos and Shorts (there a100s of them) and decide what method works best for YOU and what makes you feel most confident in doing.
Avoid Stewmac - they are a major rip-off. You'll find much more affordable tools if you take the time and do some research. Some tools are worth the money though like fret crowning files.
The important thing is you have to take that first step and start the process and not worry about making mistakes. They will happen. We all make them. You can always go back and start again or put it aside for a while until you learn and feel ready to continue.
It's really not that hard. My first re-fret was with my 1980 Les Paul standard. It has neck binding and everything. I made a few rookie mistakes, of course, but in the end, it turned out great and I was excited to do it again in the future.
Good luck!
You'll get a million different answers on how to do one simple thing. Watch YouTube videos and Shorts (there a100s of them) and decide what method works best for YOU and what makes you feel most confident in doing.
Avoid Stewmac - they are a major rip-off. You'll find much more affordable tools if you take the time and do some research. Some tools are worth the money though like fret crowning files.
The important thing is you have to take that first step and start the process and not worry about making mistakes. They will happen. We all make them. You can always go back and start again or put it aside for a while until you learn and feel ready to continue.
It's really not that hard. My first re-fret was with my 1980 Les Paul standard. It has neck binding and everything. I made a few rookie mistakes, of course, but in the end, it turned out great and I was excited to do it again in the future.
Good luck!
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CoreyW
Active member
So, finally ordered a better end file, and Floyd shims.
She is put back together and playing really well.. it’s weird with the taller frets and I guess I didn’t realize just how bad my old ones were, its going to take a little to get use to the size difference.
As far as tools go, there are tools that the top brands just do better and there are tools that the budget options are all you need… but you never know which is which until you are working and figure out the tool just doesn’t cut it. I ordered the Stewmac end file and it made the job so much easier than the cheap fret end files I bought off Amazon.
Here are some photos.
She is put back together and playing really well.. it’s weird with the taller frets and I guess I didn’t realize just how bad my old ones were, its going to take a little to get use to the size difference.
As far as tools go, there are tools that the top brands just do better and there are tools that the budget options are all you need… but you never know which is which until you are working and figure out the tool just doesn’t cut it. I ordered the Stewmac end file and it made the job so much easier than the cheap fret end files I bought off Amazon.
Here are some photos.
