Worn out Pet frets?

[jpmrulez]

Hello all!

I've had my Pet for 3 1/2 years now, and I realized that the lower frets are really worn out. So I have a 2 part question for you:

1. Could this be the cause of certain intonation problems I've been having? Such as, if I tune an open A chord perfectly in tune, then hit an open G, only to find out that the G and B strings are not in tune in relation to each other. I've set the intonation as suggested in the FAQ- section, and there's no problem there.

2. If I have to change the frets, should I only change the severely damaged ones and leave the original frets higher on the neck, which are pretty ok IMO, or change them all while I'm at it?

I'd really apreciate any help you may have to offer.

 

[CudBucket]

Hello all!

I've had my Pet for 3 1/2 years now, and I realized that the lower frets are really worn out. So I have a 2 part question for you:

1. Could this be the cause of certain intonation problems I've been having? Such as, if I tune an open A chord perfectly in tune, then hit an open G, only to find out that the G and B strings are not in tune in relation to each other. I've set the intonation as suggested in the FAQ- section, and there's no problem there.

2. If I have to change the frets, should I only change the severely damaged ones and leave the original frets higher on the neck, which are pretty ok IMO, or change them all while I'm at it?

I'd really apreciate any help you may have to offer.

Sure. Worn frets can affect intonation. Usually when a guitar is re-fretted, all the frets are changed. Clean slate.

 

[Lou]

You don't need a refret. You want to look into a fret level which will reduce all the fret hight to the same amount and then the frets are crowned and polished.

 

[CudBucket]

You don't need a refret. You want to look into a fret level which will reduce all the fret hight to the same amount and then the frets are crowned and polished.

Depends on how much wear there is.

 

[jpmrulez]

Thanks for replying CudBucket and Lou.

If a fret level should be the "weapon of choise", wouldn't it affect the feel of the neck? This of course depends on how much the height is reduced, but is it normally possible to do any kind of fret level without changing the feel of the neck? Cause I really dig the feel of the large frets in the Petrucci model.

Also, what might be the prize difference between these two choises? I know the prizes in the U.S must be half the prizes here, but at least it would give me a rough estimate.

Thanks a bunch!

 

[CudBucket]

Thanks for replying CudBucket and Lou.

If a fret level should be the "weapon of choise", wouldn't it affect the feel of the neck? This of course depends on how much the height is reduced, but is it normally possible to do any kind of fret level without changing the feel of the neck? Cause I really dig the feel of the large frets in the Petrucci model.

Also, what might be the prize difference between these two choises? I know the prizes in the U.S must be half the prizes here, but at least it would give me a rough estimate.

Thanks a bunch!

Well, again, it depends on the amount of wear. The worse the wear, the more material has to be removed on the frets to get them level again. That would likely change the feel of the frets. I don't know specifics about price in your region but a refret would cost more than a level. Consider that a refret would require a level as well. I'd go with the refret.

 

[beej]

As Cud says, it depends on how badly they're worn. But in general a fret level is much cheaper than a re-fret ($60 vs $200 ish) and won't affect the feel of the neck, except to allow you to lower the action and have it play like new again ...) The frets will be slightly lower, though.

I just got my Morse back from MM - Jon leveled the frets and set it up. It's *never* played better.

Talk to a local tech and get an opinion. A level will probably do it unless you've done several before or your frets are dead.

 

[jpmrulez]

Ok, thanks!
I guess I'll check out the local luthiers then.

 

[ernie1966]

JPM,

I sent my main Pet to Jon at EBMM and had the neck refretted. He did a super job and the neck felt brand new. Definately an option you should consider especially if you can be without the guitar for awhile.

 

[jaxadam]

I would start off with a fret level.

I always like the way my guitars play after a fret level.

 

[wired]

I recently sent my EVH to EBMM & had a re-fret done, which is the best thing to do, IMO. They did a tremendous job & the guitar plays like new.

As far as having your frets re-leveled, I know the fret wear on my lower frets was not even across the fret. What I mean is, there were indentations in the frets from fretting chords & I don't see how leveling the frets would help that.

I don't know if it's ok to post how much I was charged for the re-fret, but I will say that it was far less than I was expecting & the turnaround time was also much faster than I thought it would be.

You can't go wrong sending it back to EBMM.

 

[beej]

I know the fret wear on my lower frets was not even across the fret. What I mean is, there were indentations in the frets from fretting chords & I don't see how leveling the frets would help that.

Leveling involves filing down the frets slightly to get rid of those indentations (and so the fret surfaces are straight and the strings can be set low).

It's not normally necessary to re-fret a guitar to get rid of those indentations- that's normal fretwear. After many levelings, the frets get worn down and then will need to be re-fretted.

Steve Morse has had his #1 about 20 years ... in the Y2D video Big Poppa mentioned that he's had it re-fretted 8 or 9 times. And that dude plays a lot!

 

[tommyindelaware]

nobody ANYWHERE will do a better job of evaluating & performing the appropriate work on your guitar's frets than jon at ernie ball repairadise !!!!!!!!!!!

 

[jongitarz]

Thanks Tommy, beej, et al

 

[jpmrulez]

Well, sounds to me that the re-level is the way to go.

As much as I'd love to send my guitar to EBMM, the shipping costs from Finland and back would be ridiculous, so I'm gonna deal with this locally. Fortunately the luthiers here are very good.

 

[Progdude]

I need some Dunlop 6000s put in my JP6. I wonder if EBMM will do that for me?

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

I need some Dunlop 6000s put in my JP6. I wonder if EBMM will do that for me?

No, they would only re-fret with the same stock wire.