When to have frets replaced.

[tedd63]

I searched posts couldn't finding anything. I was wondering what is a good indication you need to replace frets on the fingerboard. I recently set up my bass again, using Tobias' method which has worked on my other basses. I even kicked up the action a little and still get buzzing. I took the strings off and took a look att he frets and they look pretty chewed up. I see grooves and divits but still don't know if it is time to have them replaced, and have no idea how much that would cost. Oh my bass is an MTD KZ5 any help would be great thanks, Derek

[Wyrm74]

Take your bass to a good tech and see if the frets can be "dressed" or filed flat again. It is common to do this several times before they are so ground down that they need to be replaced.

[Im a sock]

What he said. I had to get the frets on my 98 Peavey Cirrus filed after about 6 years. I don't remember exactly how much it cost but it wasn't bank busting. Somewhere around $100 +- $20 or so.

[tedd63]

Thanks guys I'll check into it.

[z6e9n]

I had it done on a six string and it cost $150. It had terrible fret buzz that could not be corrected via Truss Rod or Bridge adjustments. When I got it back it played great. Then I got a couple more basses and found that I hated the pickups. Moral is if you really like that bass get it done.

[202dy]

Basic rules for fret wear:

1. It is a function of hours played, not years owned.
2. If you can see ruts, no matter how small, it is time to do something about it.
3. If the frets show light wear they can be dressed.*
4. A refret is called for when dressing the frets will drop the overall fret height to an unacceptable level.**
5. Pricing for the work, like real estate, is a function of location.

*Fret dress: Level, crown, and polish. These are the last three steps of a re-fret.
**An unacceptable level is usually considered to be fret height of ~.025".