whats the going rate for a set neck refret these days?

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JimAnsell

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thinking about maybe having my Gibson explorer refretted with some nice 6100's. What is the typical going rate of a (non stainless steel) refret on a non bound set neck guitar these days?
 
I think it really depends on location but I’d probably say $200-$300. The upper end would probably be if a new nut is needed.
 
If the guy doing the work is a pro, and has the skills, just pay the dude his rate.

These days, it's more important to get the right guy to do the work vs the cost.

The top shop in my neck of the woods would probably charge about $450-$500 Canadian for that job with a nut install + setup.

Could I get the job done for less.....yeah, sure.....

But I know where my guitars are going.

Screw up a fret job, and the guitar is fuk'd :doh: :doh: :doh:
 
Fusedbrain nailed it. Some things you just don't cheap-out on.

If I needed a re-fret, I would ask "who is the best?". And I would hope that person was local. Shipping just flat out sucks.
 
I have always said not to look for a bargain when it comes to plastic surgeons and criminal defense attorneys. I’d add a luthier doing a re-fret on a set neck guitar to that list.
 
I paid $500 roughly for a stainless refret on a Les Paul Custom by a guy who did an amazing job. He was within a two hour drive so I drove it to him and dropped it off, and he had it done in two weeks. I found a couple guys who did good work but I'd have to ship the guitar which made me nervous with a guitar I loved, so it was worth a couple extra bucks. That included a new bone nut and setup as well.

A crappy job is going to make you hate that guitar, so IMO don't skimp out.
 
I just paid $350 to a pro in Dayton, Ohio for a SS refret, new bone nut, and to swap to 50's wiring on a LP. Unbelievable results! 3:30 drive one way but it was worth it.

Originally I was looking at Glaser, Erlewine, and some others but was afraid to ship my #1. Also keep in mind that geographic location will have an effect on the price. My guy didn't charge me premium for the materials either. Showed me the invoices from StewMac and from Jescar. I paid what he paid for the parts.
 
Wow. I guess I'm lucky. My guy just quoted me $300 for a stainless refret on my Les Paul.
 
The New Orleans Guitar Company (which I don't think exists anymore) charged me $300 for a full stainless steel re-fret about 6-7 years ago
 
How do y'all like your ss refrets?
Just got a new LP, thinking about doing ss 6105s.
 
I would imagine these guys are busy since COVID and some may have raised their price. And fwiw I had an unbound acoustic refretted recently for $350 which I thought was a bit high but as mentioned above...not skimping on a refret.
 
In my area outside of Atlanta, a pro refret would be between $275-325 including a setup and nut. Stainless would add $100-150 depending on who was doing it. (full disclosure, I use to own a repair shop for about 10 years)

-JD
 
souldigger":3au4d9o7 said:
In my area outside of Atlanta, a pro refret would be between $275-325 including a setup and nut. Stainless would add $100-150 depending on who was doing it. (full disclosure, I use to own a repair shop for about 10 years)

-JD
Click to expand...

I am a second year luthier apprentice and that's about what we charge in Sarasota, FL.
 
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