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1975 Fender Jazz - vintage value damaged by refret?

#21
Thanks for all the informative, and positive comments.

This is why, when I need advice, I come straight to talkbass.

Fast, literate, intelligent, helpful people who genuinely want to help.


Thanks everyone. Keep up the superb work!


Best wishes


Mike





PS I think I'll go ahead and get a refret. She's my no1 over Jaydee, Yammy TRB, Lakland, G&L - so it's well worth it. I'll look into fret crowning, too.
 
#24
I Refretted my 70's P and it was the best thing I did, Not only does it play sweet it stays in tune and intonates like a brand new bass. The bass also sounds better. I asked this question also before I had it done to the Swami over at basspalace and he told me as long as you have it done right by a good luthier it doesn't hurt the value whatsoever.
 
#25
Well, the maple board makes the process slightly more complicated for refretting due to the lacquer. Nothing a good luthier cannot handle. They will probably have to strip the fretboard, refret and then spray it again. My only real concern about refretting jazz necks from this period is the binding. If the guy is good he shouldn't damage the binding. I'd see if a fret dressing will put off the inevitable first.

Jeff
 
#26
A good refret shouldn't affect value of a bass that might otherwise be unplayable. How much value is a bass that is unplayable? As long as it is a good refret and you can sell play it no problems... On the other hand, why is value such a concern on a bass you like playing?

I have a '77 that has many upgrades including new bridge, pickups, pickguard, and j-retro. That being said, I still have all the original parts. I also have a stock '78 bass that I recently installed aero pickups. Not stock, but both sound great!!

At some point, I might send my bass back to the Fender custom shop and have it restored to original specs (maybe)
 
#28
Looking at your bass I would definitely would be careful about getting a refret. I am a luthier and I would definitely ask you whether or not you had intentions of selling the bass. If the bass has some really bad scratches dings etc. I would say go for it. Keep in mind that when those frets come out so will the finish on the neck. Hope this helped
Also are the frets so worn out that a level crown and polish is out of the question?
 
#30
Mike McGibney said:
A '66?? Wow!! I'd love to see pics of that bad boy!
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Here's my 66. It's all original, pretty sure, and the body was refinished in the lete 80's. I also need to get her refretted, I just don't want to part with her, even if it's for a little while.
 

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#31
Like he said!
Are mid 70's Fender's really vintage/collectable?
That just seems odd to me, I can't think of stuff being vintage unless it's older than me I guess;)


BurningSkies said:
a GOOD refret is never a bad thing. Are the current frets so far gone that they can't be recrowned?

Once again, have it done. An unplayable vintage bass is good for the closet or for parting out...anyone who wants a 75 (vintage, yes...but not terribly collectable yet) wants it playable.

Take it to someone who's good. Have them use the proper guage fretwire and take care not to chip the fretboard...most good vintage gear has this kind of stuff done.
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#32
abngourmet said:
She's a beaut. Get her refretted and keep playing her.
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Couldn't agree more... worry about the sale price when and if the time ever comes... but if it's a great player's bass (which it probably is) I doubt you'll even wanna part with it to begin with, so the question's kinda moot :)

p.s. Outstanding looking instrument... my main 4-string is the same bass but with a white guard.
 
#33
ZoomBoy said:
. My only real concern about refretting jazz necks from this period is the binding.
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That would be my biggest concern as well. A friend of mine bought a brand new Ric in 1978. After 10 years of hard playing, it needed a refret. To his horror, when he got it back, the binding was damaged.
 
#34
Hi, I know this thread is about 6 years old, but I'm faced with the same exact situation. The frets on my '75 are all shot and I need to re-fret it, but I'm afraid of damaging/chipping the wood and hurting the binding. I'd like to know how your bass turned out and if you could do it again whether or not you'd make the same decision.
 
#35
It's no big deal if you take it to the right guy. George from FBass refretted a "66 for me, beautiful job, binding looks the same as ever. You in NYC? I'm sure Roger Sadowsky knows where you could get that done and would gladly direct you to the right person.
 
#37
johnk_10 said:
as long as it's done properly with the correct sized fretwire, it shouldn't have much if any effect on its value. really well done refrets on vintage fenders shouldn't even be perceptible, except that it'll play alot better afterwards.
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Whenever I see refrets on basses with binding, the binding is always sanded down a little. That is actually how I can tell it is a refret. That would annoy me just a little. I do like the play a lot better part, though.
 
#38
Ian Baggette said:
Hi, I know this thread is about 6 years old, but I'm faced with the same exact situation. The frets on my '75 are all shot and I need to re-fret it, but I'm afraid of damaging/chipping the wood and hurting the binding. I'd like to know how your bass turned out and if you could do it again whether or not you'd make the same decision.
Click to expand...

Have you thought about having it Plek'd? There may be some life in the old frets after all. They'll look at it and tell you if there's enough left.
 

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