Worn fretwires: worth filing?

kepallino_hh · #1 02-19-2011, 04:56 AM

Hi,
I have a 1981 ibanez musician, whose worn fretwires cause some dead spots while playing.
Before investing 200 euro for refretting, was wondering if ot would be worth trying to make them even ny filing them.
When it is their life for sure over? What are the signs telling me if there is still some life to file?
Thank you in advance for your suggestions.
Ciao, sergio.

T-Bird · #2 02-19-2011, 06:23 AM

Hi.

It's called fret levelling and re-crowning.

IME always worth it.

The lowest I have gone is ~0.5mm, but that was on a guitar, so .8mm or so could be the lowest for (wider) bass frets.

The limiting factor is usually the tools, the crowning file especially, not the height of the fret itself.

Regards
Sam

Bassmickeyd · #3 02-19-2011, 06:39 AM

Since you're unhappy with it, change it. .... Not too hard a project. ..... You just need to right tools and time.

kepallino_hh · #4 02-19-2011, 02:59 PM

Hey Sam.
Thank you, your reply is conforting. Have you got specific hints for the correct tools?

Cheers,
Sergio.

kepallino_hh · #5 02-19-2011, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bassmickeyd

Since you're unhappy with it, change it. .... Not too hard a project. ..... You just need to right tools and time.

Hi Bassmickeyd, what do you exactely mean? Unhappy with the bass, not my case

Bassmickeyd · #6 02-19-2011, 05:25 PM

Unhappy with the FRET wear. ..... It's why you posted. ..... I thought if you can fix it do so or take it to a repair shop.

kepallino_hh · #7 02-20-2011, 09:02 AM

Ah! Got it, am a bit slow

Yes, i will try and report about it!
Thanks and cheers, sergio

TheSuzie · #8 02-20-2011, 08:34 PM

Sometimes you can get away doing a partial fret job. Just replace the few that are the worst and then level everything. I had one guitar once that only really needed 2 or 3 frets replaced.

Peace,
S