FULL RE-FRET

Here is a page dedicated to the humble re-fret, designed to put to rest the many questions and misconceptions I have heard over the years:
After maybe three or four fret-dressings, the frets on most guitars will be too low for easy playing and string bending and the time for a re-fret will have arrived!

A refret involves more than just changing the frets for new ones... it gives the whole instrument a new lease of life and includes refurbishment of the fretboard and a full service and full set-up to put the icing on the cake.

Why not change just some of the frets?

Sometimes a partial re-fret is all thats needed but:

• There are probably 30 different types of fretwire available, trying to match the existing wire then dressing the new frets down to the same level as the remaining worn ones is counterproductive.
• Nearly ALL factory fret jobs incorporate soft fretwire. A good luthier will replace them with the finest quality HARD fretwire which will sound better and last many years more.
• The most important stage of fretting is fretboard preparation, any twists and slight warps that most necks suffer over the years will be eradicated during this stage. A clean fret-free fretboard is necessary for this to be achieved. The aim is to fit the new frets with minimal or zero fret dressing afterwards.
• Generally, the set-up work following a partial re-fret is considerably more labour intensive than after a total re-fret and is, therefore, not always the most cost effective option!

But wont it devalue a vintage instrument?

• Not necessarily! If you have a vintage guitar which has "as new" frets and you just want different ones fitted, then maybe you should think twice. But, if the guitar has had a hard life and the frets are already cream crackered... your guitar is pretty worthless anyway! At this point re-fretting really can only increase the value.. but only if it's done properly. Ask for an example of the luthiers previous work before entrusting your guitar to him.
• HOWEVER... if your pride and joy used to belong to BB King or Malmsteem and it was THEM who actually caused the fret wear, then you should leave it alone!!! The same goes for ANY kind of modification work on such an instrument, (but not remedial work which can sometimes be necessary to prevent deterioration).

Will it shorten the life of my guitar?

• Quite the opposite if done properly. A re-fret will often last three times longer than the original frets and I have re-fretted some very hard working or prototype guitars many times over with no ill effect whatsoever.

So what do I get for this not-inconsiderable amount of money ?

• Full re-frets consist of ALL the items under Class A/Deluxe Setup applicable to your instrument but also includes:
• Repair of marker inlays or dots
• Skimming & leveling of the fretboard which is then oiled and polished to a beautiful shine or lacquered depending on type.
• Fretwire used is the finest quality HARD fretwire, the size is up to you but advice will be available on which size would suit you and your instrument.
• The nut is replaced, as necessary, with a new one cut from a bone blank
• Optional Graphtech nuts are available as a cost option.
• D'Addario or Ernie Ball strings
• Includes SGL six month free readjustment service.