I agree. Looks like the radius is flat too, like someone belt sanded it.
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Do I need a refret?
- Thread starter Joe Geni
- Start date
JeezyMcNuggles
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- Feb 23, 2018
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Yup. I would say you do. Hahahaha. Those look worse than my 20 year old gio. That had frets like that, but just in spots. But, I'd just get a new neck. 250 for a Fender standard. Get it in about a week, good to go out the box.
Absolutely! The owner of this bass leveled (filed down) the frets, presumably to even out wear caused by the string eating into the fret. It looks like he did not understand that once leveled, the frets need to be recrowned. Proper fret maintenance requires both steps; leveling and recrowning. At any rate, once there is that little fret left, time to replace them.
Wow--that pic looks like a contestant on America's Gnarliest Fret Levels... There's no way the frets got like that from playing time.
I'm singing with the choir on this: find a competent, experienced luthier to do a refret. Keep looking until you find one you're sure is solid!
I'm singing with the choir on this: find a competent, experienced luthier to do a refret. Keep looking until you find one you're sure is solid!
Smooth_bass88
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- Oct 31, 2006
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A qualified tech will be able to give you the right answer, but basically, if the doesn’t set up properly, a re-fret is likely the only answer.
I recently had my ‘91 US AVRI Fender Precision re-fretted after struggling with set ups on it for a few years. It was expensive but wow it was absolutely worth it. It plays better than new, probably as good as any Custom Shop or high-end bass maker.
I recently had my ‘91 US AVRI Fender Precision re-fretted after struggling with set ups on it for a few years. It was expensive but wow it was absolutely worth it. It plays better than new, probably as good as any Custom Shop or high-end bass maker.
My eyes got big when I saw that picture. That is a fretless wonder.
I think it is time for a refret if you happen to desire the effect frets have on playing.
This has to have been modified.
Luckily, refretting doesn't devalue an older instrument very much.
I think it is time for a refret if you happen to desire the effect frets have on playing.
This has to have been modified.
Luckily, refretting doesn't devalue an older instrument very much.
First thing I’d do is get a professional setup. This will allow the action and intonation to be set properly, and allow a better sense of how well the bass plays with an optimal setup.
If after the setup it plays well, there are no dead spots, or fret buzz then I’d just keep it the way it is. On the other hand, if there is buzz, dead spots, etc then you can look at replacing the frets or getting them dressed if there is enough left.
Either way, as long as you like the way it plays that’s what matters!
If after the setup it plays well, there are no dead spots, or fret buzz then I’d just keep it the way it is. On the other hand, if there is buzz, dead spots, etc then you can look at replacing the frets or getting them dressed if there is enough left.
Either way, as long as you like the way it plays that’s what matters!
Those frets are so low they're pretty much just lines on the fretboard. Are you getting any "mwah" when you play. 
I've seen this type of fret grind before. I agree it's not wear. People did it to get more of a fretless type of sound from the bass without learning to play a fretless. A buddy of mine did it to his.
Uhhh... unless you want a fretless bass (in which case, filing those down just a little more will get you there), you needed a re-fret a long time ago. So, unless you have a time machine? Yes; get it done NOW...
(P.S.) Before all the fretless players get their undies in a bunch: YES, I know that "filing them down just a little more" isn't the way to make that neck fretless. It was a joke...
- Jun 30, 2010
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It depends on what you want out of the bass. If you use it professionally - consider a fret-job deductible from your related income. If it's only used for home enjoyment - that's another story. A good fret-job isn't cheap, especially if Plek'd. ($300-$500) If you can get the action acceptable and there are no buzzing frets - it depends completely on available funds and access to a respectable luthier. A fret-job on a vintage bass that's played (not "collected") is a plus and will only make it more valuable to the next owner if you should decide to sell it some day.
Thanks. I was guesstimating. Just measured, and mine look to be about .8 mm or .0315”.
They look more like the OP’s than typical frets, but tough to tell by pics. Probably mine are somewhere in-between.
EDIT: I agree with those saying normal wear would result in grooves under the strings. Of course. Mine was that way before the last dress / levelling.
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I'm not sure why it's being construed as an either/or between it being 'normal' fret wear and something being 'done' to the bass. Levelling frets is the normal way to address grooves under where the strings go, and would result in the whole of each fret being evenly lower. It seems entirely likely to me that this bass has just seen a lot of wear (commensurate with 50+ years of play) and has been levelled well past the point when a refret would have been the better option. I don't think it's a mystery why a 1970 neck would need a refret.
IMHO, this would be the biggest reason to have it refretted.
You are nearly fretless as you are. That's as low as they can go without being replaced.
You need a refret, if you don't like that feel. Personally, I love it, and I would keep it as is. I have an '82 G&L like that, and it is nearly the best playing bass neck I have ever owned (and intonates as well as any fretted bass I own).
If you like that feel, then switch to flatwounds, or even better, tapewounds, so they don't wear out any more...and keep playing.
You need a refret, if you don't like that feel. Personally, I love it, and I would keep it as is. I have an '82 G&L like that, and it is nearly the best playing bass neck I have ever owned (and intonates as well as any fretted bass I own).
If you like that feel, then switch to flatwounds, or even better, tapewounds, so they don't wear out any more...and keep playing.
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