Refretting my epi (whacha think?)

[rb25s14]

I guess they charge 350$ to do a refret job. I've been noticing that my frets are somewhat lifting but its not to bad. I want my frets to be expanding across the fretboard onto the plastic binding. I would liek to level the frets somewhat low to simulate some years of wear. Anybody refret there epi by them self? Its just to expensive to have somebody else do it. I believe I can get everything from stewmack but what exactly do I need to do this job. Ive watched a few videos on how to refret but I they really dont explain the tools. Im a pretty handy guy so Im sure I can do it myself...

http://www.jacksonsrareguitars.com/articles/files/page0_blog_entry8_4.jpg

 

[Sinster]

I haven't done a fret job yet.. I've been looking into it myself.

If you get the basic parts from Stewmac it's 180.00 w/video. Then the fretwire which is pretty cheap, then a nibbler (50.00) if you have a bound neck, fret bender (40.00 or 90.00), then the associated materials such as tape, sandpaper, etc, and your time. Of course there alternatives to the nibbler and fret bender but those cost money and time to make. So 250 - 300 sounds reasonable. I think 350 is a little high. I would shop around if I was you. There's a place out of Vermont that quoted me 225.00. There's a few people around me that quoted me 300.00. So that would be even if I shipped to and from to Vermont with shipping cost.

 

[mrgrandnational]

, then a nibbler (50.00) if you have a bound neck,

I came across this link awhile back. It looks like a great alternative.
Fret tang nipper on the cheap

 

[mrgrandnational]

I want my frets to be expanding across the fretboard onto the plastic binding.

It sounds to me that you just need a fret dressing and leveling, not a total refret. If I were you I would bring it in to a luthier and see what he has to say about the situation.

It requires it if he want's to change the length.

I would liek to level the frets somewhat low to simulate some years of wear.

This, I don't get. Why not just practice your bending method? If you want your guitar to look like it has tons of fret wear, that will come through using them. A person doing a fret level job, that's done correctly, will re-crown the top of the frets.

 

[Iceman0124]

Find a good tech to grind em down how you like...much cheaper and much safer.

 

[rb25s14]

It requires it if he want's to change the length.

Why not just practice your bending method?

I bend alot brooo... I just want like a lower profile. I wouldent level all that much anyway.

 

[mrgrandnational]

Switch out to vintage frets. Have you ever played a guitar with them? On specific guitars, they're the bee's knees as far as I'm concerned. Now THAT would necessitate someone that knew what they were doing because the channel for more modern frets are deeper than what the vintage frets run. Previous frets being inserted would make the channel slightly "loose" for the root of the vintage frets going in.

 

[mrgrandnational]

Here are some pics I just took. They're all bundled up for illustration purposes.

See how the tang of the fret doesn't go as deep on the ebony fretboard?

This is the chart for reference.

 

[Grey]

You think it's bad getting an Epi refretted? My Ric has a bound and lacquered neck.

 

[rb25s14]

You think it's bad getting an Epi refretted? My Ric has a bound and lacquered neck.

I really wanna shave my neck to a c profile and laquar it but Ive never used nitro before. I think in the future im gonna find another cheap epi lp and attept that project on that guitar.

 

[rb25s14]

the channel for more modern frets are deeper than what the vintage frets run. Previous frets being inserted would make the channel slightly "loose" for the root of the vintage frets going in.

ayy thats too bad

 

[mrgrandnational]

ayy thats too bad

It's not too bad. It just requires a more experienced person to do it.

 

[Grey]

I really wanna shave my neck to a c profile and laquar it but Ive never used nitro before. I think in the future im gonna find another cheap epi lp and attept that project on that guitar.

Oh, sorry I didn't think about what was typing. I meant that the fretboard is lacquered. Rickenbacker applies the finish directly over the fingerboard.

Upside: It's 30 years old and the fingerboard looks like it's almost never been played, the lacquer has sealed it and kept it in good shape.

Downside: It would have to be stripped before the refretting process could even begin, and then i'd have to wrestle with having it re-applied which would drive up the cost even more, or leaving it bare.

 

[rb25s14]

It's not too bad. It just requires a more experienced person to do it.

yea and a big pay check.

 

[mrgrandnational]

Not necessarily a big cost difference. You could also take them down to that height and use fret files to give them the shape of vintage frets.