Do I need a refret?

[Joe Geni]

Hi all. I'm in new terrain here but I'm sure many have been here before me. This is a 1970 P bass neck. No frets buzz but they do seem quite flat against the fretboard, requiring me to press down pretty hard in the upper 10 frets in particular. Based on these photos, do folks think I need a refret...

a) now
b) someday, but not now

 

[P. Aaron]

Wow! That reminds me of Mosrite guitar frets.

IF, playing the bass as-is is becoming more difficult for you, and you're not getting as much enjoyment out of it, consider having a very good luthier refret it for you with proper era frets, or maybe you have an idea of what you want to replace them with.

It's a wash (I think) affecting value. If you wanted to sell it, a buyer(s) may try & ding you for flat frets, the same way some purists would scoff at "altering" a classic. A playable vintage era Fender is valued more than one with an issue.

Personally, I'd consider refretting it. Especially if you plan on keeping it, playing and/or gigging it for a long time.

 

[cmcbass]

If that was my bass I would get a refret. If it's still playing fine in your opinion, you could keep playing it until you start to have problems. With frets that flat you could run into intonation issues as well.

 

[JW56789]

It's impossible to diagnose problems over the internet.

I would urge to seek out a qualified and experienced guitar repairman where you live and have it evaluated. If it needs new frets, you don't want it to be the guy's 'first rodeo'.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

It is hard to tell from pictures but it doesn’t look like there’s much left to those frets. If you do decide to refret it I believe 1970 would have been 1: a veneer fretboard (although I could be wrong on that) and, more importantly, 2: fretted from the side instead of the face of the board. If the frets were pushed in from the side make sure whoever is doing the work understands what that means for removing the existing frets with minimal damage to the board.

 

[Ian Tarbox]

I have never seen any standard P bass with that much wear on the frets. I recommend it. Do as you please.

 

[Lesfunk]

Wow
Those frets are so low that they’re almost behind the neck

 

[Bill Whitehurst]

Just a little more fileing and you'll have fretless with markers.
If you go that way, cut the nut slots deeper.

 

[cxcxcx]

Looks like someone got the bright idea to grind those frets down in the instrument’s past. They really don’t count as frets anymore - they’re more like decorative metal inlays at this point.

I’d personally have an experienced luthier handle a refret for this bass sooner that later. A really good refret won’t be inexpensive, but it will have a night and day effect on the sound and playability on this axe. If you don’t live in an area that has a first-class luthier or tech within reasonable driving distance, sending a bass out for work is not unusual.

 

[Fun Size Nick]

It is hard to tell from pictures but it doesn’t look like there’s much left to those frets. If you do decide to refret it I believe 1970 would have been 1: a veneer fretboard (although I could be wrong on that) and, more importantly, 2: fretted from the side instead of the face of the board. If the frets were pushed in from the side make sure whoever is doing the work understands what that means for removing the existing frets with minimal damage to the board.

^^^^^This right here X a million. The frets want to go out like they came in. You want the repair to be done by someone who knows this and has done work on vintage Fenders many times before.

 

[StayLow]

I have an old Fender with frets maybe 1mm high.

Love it! I rue the day it needs a refret. Plays fast and sounds fantastic as is.

OP, if it ain’t broke… maybe just lower the action or try strings with less tension so you’re not having to press as hard.

 

[themickster]

Hi all. I'm in new terrain here but I'm sure many have been here before me. This is a 1970 P bass neck. No frets buzz but they do seem quite flat against the fretboard, requiring me to press down pretty hard in the upper 10 frets in particular. Based on these photos, do folks think I need a refret...

a) now
b) someday, but not now
View attachment 4506717 View attachment 4506718

Would lowering the action help in the short term

 

[Deleted member 346364]

they tried to make me do a refret
but I said no, no, no..!

 

[lowphatbass]

It’s possible to keep playing a bass with frets that low, depends on the neck relief, setup, etc. Flats make this easier/possible. I’ve had basses with frets (almost)this low and they worked well with a thoughtful setup and low tension strings. At some point you realize that things aren’t intonating quite as well as they should/could be, especially up high…but if you’re laying down meat n potatoes it may not be that much of an issue.

 

[etnoo]

Flat f(r)eet Although it is possible I can't imagine playing this way.

they tried to make me do a refret
but I said no, no, no..!

Refret now, now, now..!

 

[7dollarbologna]

Kinda looks like a Gibson fretless wonder

 

[jamro217]

The correct answer is:
c) About ten years ago.

Welcome to TB!

 

[31HZ]

Those frets aren't tall enough to be crowned, and as such the instrument can't be correctly intonated.

 

[Black Out Jazz]

Looks like someone got the bright idea to grind those frets down in the instrument’s past. They really don’t count as frets anymore - they’re more like decorative metal inlays at this point.

I concur. No way normal playing would flatten them uniformly like that.

 

[truand85]

Wow, you don't see frets grinded down that much everyday!

Definitely needs a refret.