Re-Fret or Replace?

[guitardan]

My 08' Luke is starting to show signs of fret wear, so I'll probably have them dressed up.
But, my concern is that because they are Low-Wide, that the next time I need to do this, there may not be enough fret to work with.

So, when you guys get to that point, do you have your's re-fretted, or do you go and buy a replacement neck? Seems that the cost is about the same (my experience).

Thx - Dan

 

[Pablo]

There's absolutely no reason to replace a perfectly good neck. Me, I'd refret the Luke with HUGE stainless steel frets and be done with it... but then again, I don't really get along with smallish frets (in fact, all my fretboards are scalloped).

Cheers

Eske

 

[guitardan]

I do have other guitars w/ stainless, and that's the way I would go when taking the re-fret path.
But, I've also bought OEM replacement necks w/ stainless for less than a re-fret job.
Unless I'm mistaken, EBMM doesn't offer them...

Thx

 

[WillyD]

hey guitardan, thanks for playing Music Man. If it has never had a fret job you should be good, providing it is normal wear. More cost effective than a re-fret.
We can even do it for you here at the factory, give us a call toll free 866 823 2255

 

[guitarp77]

When this question arises, I always think about how Steve Morse´s nº 1 has been refretted like 9 times, and its still rocking...

Therefore, I see no use to replace it...

 

[beej]

I've sent quite a few to the factory for fretwork, so I'd recommend that angle first in a heartbeat. (I have a Sterling on its way there now ...) If I had to re-fret, I'd take a well-loved (and trusted) neck over a new one any day of the week.

 

[Jack FFR1846]

I've had Music Man CS give me quotes on both refret and replacement of a neck. Replacement is almost double refret cost. And to get a replacement, you have to ship the entire guitar to them.

 

[TNT]

hey guitardan, thanks for playing Music Man. If it has never had a fret job you should be good, providing it is normal wear. More cost effective than a re-fret. We can even do it for you here at the factory, give us a call toll free 866 823 2255

Willy, just out of curiousity, do you also do refrets on "similar guitars"? E.g., Olp, Wolfgang, Sterling AX40....... or is it strictly Musicman?

Yeah, if you "love" the neck - gotta stay with it, however it is not unusual to have a wood nick/ding here and there!

 

[beej]

Strictly MM. It is the MM production facility after all

 

[Craiguitar]

I took both my Lukes to a local dealer who have an in-house tech. He re-fretted them with like-for-like nickel fretwire. I could have gone for stainless but figured the existing fretwire had lasted me 15 years, so I should get another 15 years of of this too. The tech told me I'd been a good boy looking after my fretboards (regular oiling). If this is done it makes the re-fretting process so much easier.

 

[guitardan]

Thanks guys!

WillyD: Yes, this would be the first time, and normal fret wear.

Regarding Steve Morse, I've read that somewhere or seen it in an interview, I'm sure he gets a cool deal if not free on his 9 re-fret jobs.

I do have a local guy that has done some nice work for me in the past. But I'll also consider sending it to CS, depending on the turn a round time, and the total cost.

- Dan

 

[KazJY]

When this question arises, I always think about how Steve Morse´s nº 1 has been refretted like 9 times, and its still rocking...

Therefore, I see no use to replace it...

Yeah, no need to replace the neck, for sure!

I was watching this, and you are right - it was 9 times... but I looked at the date - 2009! imagine how many by now! He mentions this at 2:56 or so.

 

[Danjo]

I've refretted many of guitars. Just make sure you get the fret size and shape you like - especially if you go stainless.