1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please!

gw1980 · 11-14-2009, 08:11 AM

Hi,

I am finally beginning to accept that my LP Custom needs a re-fret, I am sad because the playability is great but I am struggling with bends due to the wear.

I was wondering what would be the closest fretwire I can get to what would have been used in the first instance. I understand that there are many sites out there that offer fret wire but would like to know from experince of MLP members (who may have done this themselves), what is best to use....I would prefer to have wider fretwire if possible!

Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

moff40 · 11-16-2009, 05:30 PM

You can't get the Norlin-era "wide oval" (low and wide) fretwire anymore. There are a couple of luthiers\techs on this board that have some NOS stuff in their shops.

Newer Gibsons use fretwire that's similar to Dunlop 6130, if I'm not mistaken. You can get wider wire, but IIRC it's all taller too.

I have a few Norlin LPs, as well as a couple of newer ones with more modern fretwire. At first, I really liked the old, low-wide "wide oval" fretwire, because it allowed such low action, but now I find that it feels TOO low - almost like the flesh of my finger is on the fingerboard before the string is fretted all the way, if you get what I mean. It's more difficult for bends, because I can't get a proper "grip" on the string with my fingertip. One of my Norlins was refretted with Stew-Mac fretwire that's close to 6130, and it plays much better than the ones with the lower frets.

Stuff like 6130 might take a tiny bit of getting used to, but the rewards are worth it. YMMV

gw1980 · 11-18-2009, 01:01 PM

Thanks for the info.

As you can see, I have a contemporary LP, and a R8, which have thinner frets, I really love the way my Custom feels, so what would be the closest thing I can get to the original, as I like the way it differs to my others.

Thanks

BCRGreg · 11-18-2009, 01:03 PM

If it is an original Fretless Wonder, use mandolin wire.

gw1980 · 11-18-2009, 05:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

If it is an original Fretless Wonder, use mandolin wire.

Would the following be suitable? If not can you suggest another. For larger '59-style frets, what would I use?

Narrow Fretwire at Stewart-MacDonald

Thanks.

BCRGreg · 11-18-2009, 05:56 PM

I have a roll of 70's Wide Oval. That is what I would use.

gw1980 · 11-18-2009, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BCRGreg

I have a roll of 70's Wide Oval. That is what I would use.

Is it for sale? If so how much, and would it be possible to ship to the UK?

Thanks

BCRGreg · 11-18-2009, 06:03 PM

Sorry. In house use only.

You asked, I answered.

gw1980 · 11-18-2009, 06:06 PM

Fair enough...

So what is there out there that is the closest to the fretwire you suggest here....

Thanks for your help!

11-14-2009, 08:11 AM	#1 (permalink)
gw1980 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! Hi, I am finally beginning to accept that my LP Custom needs a re-fret, I am sad because the playability is great but I am struggling with bends due to the wear. I was wondering what would be the closest fretwire I can get to what would have been used in the first instance. I understand that there are many sites out there that offer fret wire but would like to know from experince of MLP members (who may have done this themselves), what is best to use....I would prefer to have wider fretwire if possible! Your thoughts would be greatly appreciated. __________________ GW ------------------------------------------------------ PAGE #2 075 1974 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM 2008 GIBSON LES PAUL '58 PLAIN TOP REISSUE (R8) 1973 ARBITER TWIN NECK 2008 DANELECTRO DC59 2006 TAKAMINE G330S 2008 FARIDA FST-18

11-16-2009, 05:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
moff40 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Vancouver Island, Canada Posts: 2,177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 13 Times in 4 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! You can't get the Norlin-era "wide oval" (low and wide) fretwire anymore. There are a couple of luthiers\techs on this board that have some NOS stuff in their shops. Newer Gibsons use fretwire that's similar to Dunlop 6130, if I'm not mistaken. You can get wider wire, but IIRC it's all taller too. I have a few Norlin LPs, as well as a couple of newer ones with more modern fretwire. At first, I really liked the old, low-wide "wide oval" fretwire, because it allowed such low action, but now I find that it feels TOO low - almost like the flesh of my finger is on the fingerboard before the string is fretted all the way, if you get what I mean. It's more difficult for bends, because I can't get a proper "grip" on the string with my fingertip. One of my Norlins was refretted with Stew-Mac fretwire that's close to 6130, and it plays much better than the ones with the lower frets. Stuff like 6130 might take a tiny bit of getting used to, but the rewards are worth it. YMMV __________________ '08 Gibson LP Traditional Plus '05 Gibson LP Faded DC '80s Gibson LP Custom '80 Gibson LP Deluxe '77 Gibson LP Deluxe '74 Gibson LP Deluxe '78 Fender Telecaster '92 Fender Stratocaster '06 Line6 Variax 500 '99 Raven electric 12-string '86 Yamaha APX-6L acoustic\electric '81 Takamine F400-S 12-string acoustic\electric '88 Lado Medallion bass '78 Fender Jazz Bass

11-18-2009, 01:01 PM	#3 (permalink)
gw1980 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! Thanks for the info. As you can see, I have a contemporary LP, and a R8, which have thinner frets, I really love the way my Custom feels, so what would be the closest thing I can get to the original, as I like the way it differs to my others. Thanks __________________ GW ------------------------------------------------------ PAGE #2 075 1974 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM 2008 GIBSON LES PAUL '58 PLAIN TOP REISSUE (R8) 1973 ARBITER TWIN NECK 2008 DANELECTRO DC59 2006 TAKAMINE G330S 2008 FARIDA FST-18

11-18-2009, 01:03 PM	#4 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 8,253 Thanks: 210 Thanked 1,127 Times in 161 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! If it is an original Fretless Wonder, use mandolin wire. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

11-18-2009, 05:56 PM	#6 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 8,253 Thanks: 210 Thanked 1,127 Times in 161 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! I have a roll of 70's Wide Oval. That is what I would use. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

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11-18-2009, 06:03 PM	#8 (permalink)
BCRGreg Grumpy Old Luthier Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Lemoyne, PA Posts: 8,253 Thanks: 210 Thanked 1,127 Times in 161 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! Sorry. In house use only. You asked, I answered. __________________ Cool guitars, extreme repairs and brutal honesty. www.bcrmusic.com www.grumpyoldmenband.com http://www.youtube.com/user/unkagreg

11-18-2009, 06:06 PM	#9 (permalink)
gw1980 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: England Posts: 177 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Re: 1974 LP Custom Refret? Some Help Please! Fair enough... So what is there out there that is the closest to the fretwire you suggest here.... Thanks for your help! __________________ GW ------------------------------------------------------ PAGE #2 075 1974 GIBSON LES PAUL CUSTOM 2008 GIBSON LES PAUL '58 PLAIN TOP REISSUE (R8) 1973 ARBITER TWIN NECK 2008 DANELECTRO DC59 2006 TAKAMINE G330S 2008 FARIDA FST-18

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