Is this bass worth re-fretting?

Evil Undead · #1 02-16-2010, 12:43 PM

I have a bass that I think needs refretting... the frets are worn very low, and some of them even have string dents in them!

It's a 1975 Hondo 2 Ric copy (shhhh! lol) with a few mods and it's so stunning, in sunburst finish, and quite collectable I understand???

I bought it for $395 (US) and I've had a quote for the refret, $320. Which is almost the as much as I paid for it!!!

It's got a bound fingerboard (of course) and it's lacquered as well, hence the cost.

So I'm wondering, what would you guys do?

(I can post a picture if you like, just ask... I know how much you like pictures hehe)

Sandor138 · #2 02-16-2010, 12:44 PM

if you like it then yes, if not no

higgi · #3 02-16-2010, 12:45 PM

Maybe you can just level the fretts. I do my own with a really nice 10inch file.

Evil Undead · #4 02-16-2010, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandor138

if you like it then yes, if not no

I see your point. But I'm very poor! And $320 is a huge amount of cash for me

Evil Undead · #5 02-16-2010, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgi

Maybe you can just level the fretts. I do my own with a really nice 10inch file.

I thought about that too. But the frets are so low that it's not really an option now. I think they're the original frets, from 1975!!!

higgi · #6 02-16-2010, 12:49 PM

As long as the strings don't touch the fret board when you fret you can lower them a fair bit.

Pick out the straightest file, then cut the tang off. Lay it on the frets and use light pressure and flip the file periodicaly. Frett material is soft and a good file will cut through quick. It took me ten minutes and a ten dollar file.

There are special sanding blocks and files available from stewmac. I didn't even redress the frets afterwards and haven't had any problems. It made a slight grinding noise the first few times I used vibrato. But after a couple of months the frets look shiny again.

IF worse comes to worse, it needs to be refretted anyway.

Evil Undead · #7 02-16-2010, 01:04 PM

It's certainly worth looking into. I don't dare try it myself though (girls aren't good with stuff like that lol)
Any idea what a repair center would charge for that? (Is it called a fret dressing, or is that something else?)

higgi · #8 02-16-2010, 01:10 PM

Frett leveling. I know lots of woman machinists, welders, and aircraft mechanics. But if you don't have any blue collar skills then find a guitar shop and ask for a quote. I have never paid for such services.

Evil Undead · #9 02-16-2010, 01:21 PM

hehe I know some girls are great with that stuff

wish I was!

higgi · #10 02-16-2010, 01:34 PM

As long as your undead you can always learn.

Evil Undead · #11 02-16-2010, 01:35 PM

So, in your opinions, if I can't solve the problem with fret levelling, is it worth shelling out to get it refretted?

levis76 · #12 02-16-2010, 01:39 PM

Get another quote. $320 seems a bit much in my opinion. Look around for another shop, they may be taking you for a ride because your a woman. Shameful, but it still happens.

EDIT: Just checked the local guy I use, his website quotes $275 for the same job, a refret on a bound board with special care taken to not damage the finish. www.dajosguitars.com click on repairs, towards the bottom

higgi · #13 02-16-2010, 01:41 PM

not really. It's worth experimenting with. Maybe you should check ebay, and sell it for enough to buy a bass with good fretts. You could buy two Rondo guitars for the price of that refrett.

zenman · #14 02-16-2010, 01:44 PM

Why do you think it needs refretting? So far you've only mentioned the appearance of the frets. Are there issues when you play? Buzzing frets or notes that won't play? That's what determines if you need a refret, not what they look like.

Mrdak · #15 02-16-2010, 01:46 PM

I know how you feel babe, but unless you show us a picture of the frets, you're pissin in the wind."so to speak". I wouldn't take a file to my frets for a million bucks. Well, maybe a million, but you know what I'm sayin'.

higgi · #16 02-16-2010, 01:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrdak

I know how you feel babe, but unless you show us a picture of the frets, you're pissin in the wind."so to speak". I wouldn't take a file to my frets for a million bucks. Well, maybe a million, but you know what I'm sayin'.

I would for $320. But I have been a machinist for over 20 years. For her maybe it would be a terrible mistake. My reasoning was if I messed up, I would need new frets anyway.

Mrdak · #17 02-16-2010, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by higgi

I would for $320. But I have been a machinist for over 20 years. For her maybe it would be a terrible mistake. My reasoning was if I messed up, I would need new frets anyway.

I hear ya....... but a picture would help us assess the problem and how bad it really is.

Ewo · #18 02-16-2010, 02:10 PM

Dunno the value of a Ric knock off, even a vintage knock off--so I can't comment on whether the investment in a refret is worth it.

I'd suggest you read up on setups and fretwork first, if you're not confident you've got a good handle on such things. I learned a lot from Dan Erlewine's and Hideo Kamimoto's repair books, and there are really nice sticky threads in the repair forum on TB. There's a helpful section in Gary Willis's 101 Bass Tips book, too.

IME, a bass can play well with a surprising degree of fret wear. OTOH, the setup--neck relief, saddle height, and pup height are crucial. My advice is to do a careful setup job first--read up on it, and it becomes a DIY thing--and then decide how much you need fretwork.

YMMV, but that's what I've learned about my own basses. Hope it's helpful.

Evil Undead · #19 02-16-2010, 02:20 PM

It doesn't play too bad at all really. Not much buzz. Maybe I'm concerned for nothing?
I would sell it but I love this bass. Got 3 in total (all completely different) and I love them all equally but for different reasons. This one has a great "woody" tone and a nice feel

I've got a photo of the bass itself, but it's too dark now to take a shot of the frets... can post one tomorrow though?

lethargytartare · #20 02-16-2010, 05:00 PM

In your shoes, here's how I'd approach the issue -- and I may have a relevant personal experience to share:

1. If the condition of the frets is not hampering you or your playing, then a refret is disproportionally expensive. Consider having a tech level and dress them as best they can given how low they are already -- you wouldn't be the first struggling musician who needed improvmement, but couldn't afford the ideal solution, so you'll be able to find someone to help.

2. If the condition of the frets is making you play the bass less, and you are so-so about the bass, then the cost is disproportionate, and you should take the sell-n-buy path. You can get a different cool bass, inspect the frets, and get something that's got more life ahead of it.

3. If the condition of the frets is making you play the bass less, and you love the bass, then the cost is worth it -- you WILL have an instrument on your hands that feels new in many ways. And a good refret is a LOT of work, so while I agree that 320 sounds high, it's not exorbitantly high that I'd say it's unreasonable (depends, too, on whether he'll redo the finish, or just touch it up -- if he's going to plane and refin the FB, 320 starts to sound pretty reasonable).

Only pull out a file if you are ready to put some hours in. I'm a big fan of learning these skills yourself, but I'm realistic about fretwork -- it's not a quick rubdown with sandpaper, and there's a lot of points where you have to develop a feel for "how much is enough." And I would not use an instrument I really really liked as my testing ground.

I have an 80s era Ibanez Custom Agent that's gorgeous, but needs the frets dressed -- last owner leveled them without recrowning them, which sucks. But, it's 80-90% fine as is, I don't record or gig currently, and I don't have the time to sit down and recrown them...so I play it as is. I'll never get rid of this guitar, and I'll never pay to have it refretted -- my advantage is that I can do that work myself, but even the work effort is prohibitive for me at the moment -- until I'm ready for it to sit on the bench for 2 months (I'm slow), I'll keep playing it as it is.

Comare to the other Ibanez RGs I've got -- I'll never refret those because I can always get used necks in near perfect condition, I know they'll fit, and they'll only cost me 50 bucks. So it would NEVER be economical to refret one of those.

So, judging from what you've said so far, I'd start setting aside money for an eventual refret job. Then I'd play it as is until I felt it was hampering my playing or my enjoyment of the bass. Then I'd see if I could find a tech to help clean them up for some improvement. When it was finally unplayable, or frustrating you, I'd shell out for a refret.

And I'd post lots of pics in forums so people could see the cool bass I was talking about!

Cheers!

ltt