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Refretting a ‘61 Fender

B

buk

Mar 9, 2022
6
1
#1
Have a ‘61 Jazz that needs a refret. Originals are so worn out it’s almost a fretless.

I seem to recall that there’s something special about the way they installed frets at that time that makes them more trouble to refret. Is that right? Anyone have an opinion on what I should expect to pay?
 
#3
They can be refretted like most, pry them up from the top and hammer the new ones back in from above.
The method that Fender used was to slide them in from the end.
When I had my 65 Jazz refretted, the guy slid the old frets out from the side and slid the new ones back in the same way.
There was no tearout or splintering of the fingerboard from the tangs at all. Best refret I’ve ever had. I don’t know how difficult it was for him, but he asked me if he could try it that way since he had always wanted to try it the way Fender did it. I knew if it didn’t work so good, he would have ended up making it a good refret anyway.
 
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#7
MIMike said:
They can be refretted like most, pry them up from the top and hammer the new ones back in from above.
The method that Fender used was to slide them in from the end.
When I had my 65 Jazz refretted, the guy slid the old frets out from the side and slid the new ones back in the same way.
There was no tearout or splintering of the fingerboard from the tangs at all. Best refret I've ever had. I don't know how difficult it was for him, but he asked me if he could try it that way since he had always wanted to try it the way Fender did it. I knew if it didn't work so good, he would have ended up making it a good refret anyway.
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First you say that the frets can be removed and replaced vertically and then you say your luthier slid them out from the side.... huh?
 
#8
I was simply responding to the OP. He inquired about how Fender installed frets and how to refret.
You can refret by pulling them up from the top and hammering the new frets back in from the top.
Or, you can slide them in and out like Fender did…there are options.
 
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#9
Not sure where you are located but reach out to Dave Petillo. He is located in NJ, builds amazing guitars as well as repair work on vintage instruments. He's Bruce Springsteen's personal guitar tech and does work for a long list of famous players. He recently refretted my 1979 Kramer bass. Not an easy task being the neck is aluminum and the fretboard is a synthetic material called Ebonal, not easy to work with. But he did an amazing job removing the old frets, leveled out the fretboard and installed new frets.

petilloguitars.com – Masterpiece Guitars

petilloguitars.com petilloguitars.com
 
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#11
buk said:
Have a '61 Jazz that needs a refret.
Click to expand...
A quick browse of Reverb listings indicates that 1961 Jazz basses in rough/refinished condition are selling for over $7000 with primo samples asking up and over $30,000.

Put simply, with that kind of value on the line, anyone you entrust that bass to better have WAY more expertise than anyone on TalkBass.

Where are you located? I think referrals are your best bet.
 
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#12
Yep, if those were put in sideways, pulling them out vertical will chip the hell out of the fretboard. Take it to a Pro familiar with vintage Fenders. Given the inherent value, I wouldn't go changing the fretwire width, collectors and vintage fanatics are obsessed with originality, the closer to keeping it to original spec the more it's worth long term.
 
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#13
buk said:
Have a '61 Jazz that needs a refret. Originals are so worn out it's almost a fretless.

I seem to recall that there's something special about the way they installed frets at that time that makes them more trouble to refret. Is that right? Anyone have an opinion on what I should expect to pay?
Click to expand...
Send it to Joe Glaser in Nashville. Glaser Guitars on East Iris
 
#15
buk said:
Have a '61 Jazz that needs a refret. Originals are so worn out it's almost a fretless.

I seem to recall that there's something special about the way they installed frets at that time that makes them more trouble to refret. Is that right? Anyone have an opinion on what I should expect to pay?
Click to expand...
It's been a while since I've had a re-fret - both on '66 bound necks. I think around 2000 it was ~$250 for one of the top luthiers in the region.
I would expect to pay double that now - especially on a vintage instrument.

While there may be some variance in what it my cost to have a re-fret done, for a bass of that vintage, I would simply take it to the best / most experienced and reputable luthier you have access to, regardless of the cost.

You may get better recommendations for a luthier if you mentioned where you are located...
 
#16
As long as you have the work done by a top-notch experienced technician you'll be fine. How the frets are installed really shouldn't have any bearing on things as long as it plays and sounds the way it's supposed to, and that the frets themselves are ‘correct’ to the instrument. Save the receipt!
 
#17
Jazzdogg said:
I have been tempted for several years to follow Leland Sklar's approach and have one of my basses refretted using mandolin frets; this would be a perfect opportunity to try it! :)
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I had an old Aria Pro II with really tiny frets - perhaps mandolin wire. It was so amazing to play! If I ever have a refret done, I will do that.
 
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#18
Thanks for all the input. Since this is a player's instrument, I think a period correct refret might increase the value.

I've been talking to local luthiers and, understandably, they don't want to give an estimate until they see it. Can anyone tell me what they paid, or what you think is a reasonable expectation?
 
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#20
Jazzdogg said:
I have been tempted for several years to follow Leland Sklar's approach and have one of my basses refretted using mandolin frets; this would be a perfect opportunity to try it! :)
Click to expand...

Bassamatic said:
I had an old Aria Pro II with really tiny frets - perhaps mandolin wire. It was so amazing to play! If I ever have a refret done, I will do that.
Click to expand...
The frets on my fretted Martin Keith Elfin 5 are probably the next size up from mando frets. Wonderful feeling. :)
 
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