Stingray re-fret

permagrin · #1 11-25-2009, 12:43 PM

I have a '78 Stingray that needs new frets. It has for some time, but I haven't wanted to mess with it. The worn frets are most noticeable around the middle of the neck between about frets 5 and 8 and especially on the E and A strings where notes buzz a bit, and I have it set up with medium action. You will not find it surprising that that's also an area of the neck where I spend a lot of time playing.

The bass has a ton of mojo as you can see from the photo, it feels and sounds absolutely phenomenal.

The problem? Well, in the basses forum there's a thread "What is different or special about pre EBMM stingrays?" and one reason is given in post #41:

"Also,the tiny (mandolin size) frets allowed the fretboard to add to the tone.
Ive heard many re-frets.They have the heavy poly removed.They lose the snap."

Well geez, now I'm a bit scared that a re-fret could ruin this bass. There is a definite snappy quality to its tone that I would not want gone. Alot of the finish on the board has already been worn away, and that has to be having a big effect on this bass's unique character.

What's the process of a re-fret on a maple board, especially wrt the finish? (that is, is the board stripped of finish, frets removed, new finish applied, ... how exactly is a re-fret done?)

What should I be looking for, what are the areas of concern I'll need to communicate to a repair guy? Are there any expert repair shops that folks can recommend in or around SoCal (I'd be willing to go a ways to get this done right, it really is a special bass). TIA.

dmusic148 · #2 11-25-2009, 12:49 PM

I can't answer the question, but, are they really that bad? Are you sure it needs new frets? Maybe a leveling would do the trick.

Rattman · #3 11-25-2009, 12:53 PM

Oh!! A San Pedro boy eh?? Nice... too bad the US Navy removed their naval station and shipyards from over there on Terminal Island a number of years ago.. not too far at all from your town... now it's all shipping companies with gazillions of cargo ships.

There is really no way around it IMO.. ya need to have all those old frets pulled, the fretboard sanded, new modern frets installed, and finally several coats of polyeurathane added after that. Maple boards just seem to need more periodic maintenance than say rosewood and ebony ones do.

permagrin · #4 11-25-2009, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmusic148

I can't answer the question, but, are they really that bad? Are you sure it needs new frets? Maybe a leveling would do the trick.

Not real sure how to qualify its condition, but it's now beyond "slightly annoying" into "getting to be a real problem" territory.

That sounds like good advice, to ask about a fret leveling first, but there's not a lot of fret material to start with.

Awesomenaut · #5 11-25-2009, 01:24 PM

Hey, if Musicman is doing those semi-reissues maybe they could do the repairs for you? Do those classic 'Rays come with the tiny frets?

It's worth a shot...

permagrin · #6 11-25-2009, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattman

There is really no way around it IMO.. ya need to have all those old frets pulled, the fretboard sanded, new modern frets installed, and finally several coats of polyeurathane added after that. Maple boards just seem to need more periodic maintenance than say rosewood and ebony ones do.

Sand the fretboard?! It's taken 30 years to create that pattern... how will I know where to play?

Kidding aside, I guess just pulling the frets (perhaps first taking a blade to either side of the fret before pulling) and then having new (vintage size) frets installed and dressed, and not messing with the finish at all - I suppose that's just not an option? My goal is to address the worn fret problem, without changing/altering any other aspect of the neck since I'm positive its composition/condition is a big part of its tone.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rattman

Oh!! A San Pedro boy eh?? Nice... too bad the US Navy removed their naval station and shipyards from over there on Terminal Island a number of years ago.. not too far at all from your town... now it's all shipping companies with gazillions of cargo ships.

Pedro is a unique part of LA - old on the LA timescale, traditional/ingrained attitudes mixing with modern/progressive ideas about moving forward... there's an independent, just-get-it-done, DIY attitude juxtaposed with don't change just to change, this-is-the-way-it's always-been sensibility that keeps things interesting. And it's relatively isolated for being a part of the city of LA; people don't pass through, it's at the end of the world so if you come here it's for a reason. Biggest positive, the restaurants are truly outstanding, esp seafood and Italian.

dalkowski · #7 11-25-2009, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by permagrin

Pedro is a unique part of LA - old on the LA timescale, traditional/ingrained attitudes mixing with modern/progressive ideas about moving forward... there's an independent, just-get-it-done, DIY attitude juxtaposed with don't change just to change, this-is-the-way-it's always-been sensibility that keeps things interesting. And it's relatively isolated for being a part of the city of LA; people don't pass through, it's at the end of the world so if you come here it's for a reason. Biggest positive, the restaurants are truly outstanding, esp seafood and Italian.

MINUTEMEN.
MINUTEMEN.
MINUTEMEN.

narud · #8 11-25-2009, 01:45 PM

if you love the bass, id just bite the bullet and get it refretted. usually refrets on maple boards are more expensive because the repairman will factor in that the board will need to be refinished once its done.

im sure theres great repair shops in the area, but ive always had stuff on my high end or vintage stuff worked on by carey nordstrand. if he's willing to do the work, there's no better imo.

permagrin · #9 11-25-2009, 01:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dalkowski

MINUTEMEN.
MINUTEMEN.
MINUTEMEN.

Oh yeah, Watt is pretty active when he's in town (which is not so often, dude is seriously busy) and is such a sincere, warm, and genuine human. And GH is one badass drummer, I've seen him once or twice and jammed a couple tunes with him in a basement downtown one time, much respect.

How come nobody ever mentions AMBROSIA AMBROSIA AMBROSIA?

Caca de Kick · #10 11-25-2009, 01:55 PM

Fret jobs depend on how deeply worn the frets are. Down flat to the wood? sure. Simply divots? no way! A level job is probably all that's needed, and it's amazing that playability is brought back with such a simple job.
Find a good repairman, and get his opinion.

But no, I don't agree with comment# 41 in that thread. For one, the finish is worn off, it's not going to make a difference there. For two, I don't know how putting back more metal (new frets) has ever taken the 'snap' away from a bass.

Kael · #11 11-25-2009, 02:46 PM

I've got family in San Pedro. Cool place.

I concur on having the frets looked at by someone to see if they can be fixed without being replaced. There's a plek machine down the street from me a bit(well down the street if one considers I-35 a "street" and "bit" to be about 15 miles). They are able to fix fret issues with surprisingly little left on the frets if the person so desires. Plek'd a teleaster and it worked wonders. Yes, I know the plek is generally looked down on on this forum. My experiences speaks otherwise.

Benjamin Strange · #12 11-27-2009, 07:24 PM

You don't necessarily need a refret - it's possible you just need a level and dress. If only a few frets are worn down, then it's possible to just replace those. Either way, you don't necessarily need the fretboard resprayed - you would only need that if the board absolutely had to be trued, in which case it would be sanded and leveled. If the board is mostly flat and evenly radiused, then a leveling may not be necessary.

If you don't find a qualified tech in your area, you're more than welcome to ship it to my shop.