Re-fret or New Neck?

[invisaman75]

I have a good Japanese copy of a 70's Fender Jazz Bass with a maple fingerboard and alder (or ash) body finished with nitro. The frets are worn down to all most nothing. I am trying to decide whether to have it re-fretted or buy a new neck. The cost is about the same from what I know. So the question is: Re-fret or New Neck?

[crazyguy832]

De-fret it and convert into fretless!

[therex]

if you like the feel on the neck better than new necks just refret

[etoncrow]

Reneck it with a "no-line" fretless neck!

[Chasarms]

A re-fret is really just maintenance, while a new neck is a true alteration.

If you like the tone and feel of the bass as it is, I would definitely choose the re-fret. A new neck can possibly, in fact likely will, change the tone and feel.

[rarisgod]

If it helps your decision more, I second what the previous posts have stated and say refret, unless you don't like the feel of the current neck anyway. All depends on comfort, remember.

[invisaman75]

I like the sound and feel of the bass with the current neck. The only thing that worries me about the re-fret route is the neck pocket is wide but not loose. Meaning; the neck stays in place but there is a gap on the left side. It has never moved but I put a Fender extra heavy guitar pick as a shim to be safe. I did this for the 73 Fender [three bolt] I owned years ago. I thought with a new neck I could solve this problem. Then again I don't know this for sure.

The Japanese copies of the 70's Fender basses are so close they even copied the too wide neck pockets.

[Chasarms]

Originally Posted by invisaman75

I like the sound and feel of the bass with the current neck. The only thing that worries me about the re-fret route is the neck pocket is wide but not loose. Meaning; the neck stays in place but there is a gap on the left side. It has never moved but I put a Fender extra heavy guitar pick as a shim to be safe. I did this for the 73 Fender [three bolt] I owned years ago. I thought with a new neck I could solve this problem. Then again I don't know this for sure.

The Japanese copies of the 70's Fender basses are so close they even copied the too wide neck pockets.

I wouldn't worry about the wide pocket. If it has stayed stable for 30 years, chances are it will remain that way. If you are really worried about it, while you have the neck off, you could have it fitted with threaded inserts so you can attach it back to the body with machine screws, but even that is probably not needed.

Also, since it is a copy, there is no certainty that a standard Fender replacement neck is going to match correctly. If the copy IS just like a Fender, then the new neck is going to fit with the same gap as the old. Unless you are totally in love with the bass, I can't see having a custom neck built for it as cost effective.

[magickbass]

If you are just looking to change necks then refret the one you have. I would also advise that you get it re-fretted with stainless steel fretwire. Stainless steel frets never wear out and make bends feel like butter!!! Think UBER smooth. Also, I have to add that stainless looks much sweeter too.