Does it intonate? I'd be shock if it plays in tune like that. I surprised it doesn't buzz or make weird noises.
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Do I need a refret?
- Thread starter Joe Geni
- Start date
A general note: Filing frets down really low like that was a fad for a while. I think it was mostly back in the '80's? Some rock star had it done, and said it helped them play really fast, or something. And then lots of people started filing away on their basses. It was the cool secret treatment. Then super-low frets seem to have gone out of fashion. I haven't seen as many basses given this treatment in the last few decades.
If the job is done well and carefully, the bass can be set up with very low action and good intonation. I'm not sure if there's any big advantage in speed over normal height frets that are done correctly. You might find them more comfortable. Or not.
The problem is that many of those low-fret jobs were done by amateurs; owners doing it themselves with a file, not really understanding how to level and crown frets. So you often see low-fret basses that don't set up and play well. It's not that low frets can't work; the job was just done poorly.
This neck may be able to be trued up and fixed. It depends on the overall condition of the neck itself. Or, you may need to have it refretted with new, normal height frets. Not a big deal.
If the job is done well and carefully, the bass can be set up with very low action and good intonation. I'm not sure if there's any big advantage in speed over normal height frets that are done correctly. You might find them more comfortable. Or not.
The problem is that many of those low-fret jobs were done by amateurs; owners doing it themselves with a file, not really understanding how to level and crown frets. So you often see low-fret basses that don't set up and play well. It's not that low frets can't work; the job was just done poorly.
This neck may be able to be trued up and fixed. It depends on the overall condition of the neck itself. Or, you may need to have it refretted with new, normal height frets. Not a big deal.
I'd seek professional help with a qualified luthier, mentally prepared for him to say it needs a refret.
Way belated update: I finally refretted it and it is excellent. The frets were a bit tinny at first but eventually got gunked up enough that the original tone returned. Thanks everyone!
This makes you a rare TB member that actually got a refret for a bass. People buy and flip basses so quickly and so often that they don’t even get any fretwear!
Instruments tend to have a “freak out” period after they get a refret, and you can feel it. Once things settle in and you acclimate yourself to the new normal, it’s smooth sailing.
