Question Refret upcoming, stainless and compensated nut replacement for Luke 3

[KenKenobi125]

Greetings friends,

My 2017 bfr Luke 3 will soon need a refret.

So I'm asking the experienced folks here the following:

First: My local luthier who is very meticulous, can do the refret, but is there a particular place/person that you recommend to do the Refret on the bfr level guitars? Given the rarity of these bfr guitars, is it worth contacting Ernie Ball directly to do it if they do such things?

Second question: stainless or nickel?
I know the durability and smoothness of stainless is attractive, but I don't want to change the tone of the guitar too much, my concern in particular is making it too bright sounding. Transitions are already ap pretty bright pickup. And I trust Steve on his choice of specs What is everyone's experience on that?

Third: Fret size. Ernie Ball gave me the spec for the frets that they put on it which I happen to like even in their worn down condition. I have a tendency to over grip a bit which I'm working on and I don't necessarily want to go for the tallest possible frets. I am interested in folks opinions on that.

Fourth: where can I get the proper compensated Luke nut? Is that something you can order direct from Ernie Ball regularly?

I mostly want to keep this amazing guitar and amazing shape. It is now tied with my old 92 Clapton as my number one all purpose guitar.

Thanks and peace gang!

 

[beej]

There's nothing magical about a refret, so I would say take it to a good luthier. Music Man currently doesn't do non-warranty work (though you could certainly reach out to them and ask- they do an amazing job).

You don't necessarily need a new nut, but if you're changing the fret heights significantly it might be easier. You can buy the nuts directly from them. Either online, or call/email them. Probably good to have one on hand, just in case one is needed.

Compensated Ernie Ball Music Man Guitar Nut Blank

Compensated nut blank for the Axis Super Sport, Silhouette, Silhouette Special, Steve Morse, Luke, Albert Lee, Cutlass, StingRay, Valentine, St. Vincent, Dustin Kensrue, Stephen Egerton, Hunter Hayes & Reflex Guitar models made after 2005. Not designed for Jason Richardson signature models...

shop.music-man.com

As far as fret size/material ... it's a personal thing. If you like the stock frets, nothing wrong with using the same size. If you want them larger, play some other guitars and see what you like. I've had two Lukes refretted and went with medium jumbo stainless (what they use on most of the other MM guitars). I don't want them huge, but I do find the stock ones too low for my liking. Others feel differently.

My thought on stainless- if you're going to the expense of getting them refretted, might as well consider it, as they won't wear. I don't find any noticeable change in tone. Again, I'd suggest trying out some other guitars with stainless frets and see if you like them. There's definitely a feel difference- they're slinkier.

 

[loocnmad]

I have a Cutlass RS, Valentine, and Stingray Special all with ss frets. I've never noticed any significant impact on tone either way. Anything I might hear would be extremely subtle and is immediately lost in a mix. My opinion is I love them, no more divets and super easy bends.

 

[ruger9]

+1 on stainless. I did this on my #1 (a tele), and it's one of the best (musical gear) decisions I've ever made. I will never get anything but stainless on any other guitars from now on. And if I had the disposable income, I would replace ALL my guitars' frets with SS, whether they needed it or not. Even my acoustics.

Personally, while the small frets on the Luke give me no issues, I would replace them with larger frets, my old Charvel shredder has jumbos, and I love them.

 

[PeterVV]

Definately go stainless

 

[BrickGlass]

I never want nickel frets after using stainless steel on five of my guitars now for the last decade or so. SS all the way. It isn't a difference in tone that turning down your treble knob on your amp by the most microscopic amount won't fix. Medium jumbo frets for me. They are the perfect height imo. I hate the low profile frets that Luke uses. Cannot stand them if I'm being honest.

 

[ruger9]

I never want nickel frets after using stainless steel on five of my guitars now for the last decade or so. SS all the way. It isn't a difference in tone that turning down your treble knob on your amp by the most microscopic amount won't fix. Medium jumbo frets for me. They are the perfect height imo. I hate the low profile frets that Luke uses. Cannot stand them if I'm being honest.

I found the difference in tone (a teeny weeny bit brighter) to be so subtle as to be not worth mentioning. I certainly didn't need to change any amp/pedal settings.

 

[mikeller]

Glad you posted this - my 2013 L3 HSS is getting near and although I am great with the frets the way they are, I'd do a medium jumbo stainless like the cutlass has.