Question JP Frets and Refretting JPX?

[jam3v]

I don't want to start any fires, but I'm really curious at this point.

Exactly what fretwire is used on the non-JPX JP's? I absolutely love my JPX, but I've really enjoyed the fret size on the basswood JP's and my HH AL.

Instead of selling the guitar and going through the process (and loss of money) of buying a basswood/BFR JP, I thought about refretting the JPX with JP frets.

I know the JPX has a finished neck. Does this get in the way of refretting? Is this a stupid idea?

Thx for reading.

 

[the24thfret]

You're crazy! Bigger frets are better!

But to answer your questions, I believe the JPX frets are simply a single size up from the JP frets, so refretting is not an issue. Also, refretting a finished neck is not a problem. Remember, you're working on the fretboard, not the neck itself.

Still, though, you're nuts.

 

[NickDuBaldo]

Pete says you should be able to have the frets ground down and reprofiled in order to avoid a refret. Ebony is not the most forgiving wood, and if you can avoid yanking the frets out then by all means avoid it.

 

[TNT]

Hey, if you're able to just hang on to the JPX, and still get a BFR, that's probably your best choice! I just wouldn't mess with the frets (all things considered) until it actually needs a fret job.

 

[straycat113]

Well you could put the frets you prefer on the guitar without any issues, as far as going and get them dressed -filed down -it still will not feel like the wire used on your original JP. A fret dress is basically done when you have put severe wear on your frets from extensive playing and you will have notes fretting out on parts of the fretboard and notice grooves and gouges in them. I have gone through many of them and will say that only the first time is of any benefit, after a second one it will be very difficult to bend a note and almost feel like the guitar is fretless.

It is your guitar so you can do whatever you want with it to make it play more to your liking, but just make sure that you are totally set on doing this. As stated already I also would not refret a new guitar until it needed fret work, also Ebony is is not the best of boards to work on and this job by a top tech is going to be in the $400 range depending on where you live, as my last refret was $300 8 years ago. Another thing is a mod like this will kill the resale value since you are changing the feel of the board, just make sure you weigh the pros and cons before you act.If you love it that much and feel like it is going to be with you for years then go for it.

 

[Tung]

Don't do it, man. Bigger frets are better, more control on bends and you can develope a lighter touch while playing fast runs.