Andy Eagle ( Guitar repair tech for 30 years )

[Eagle]

I own a Byrdland who may ..or may not need some work in a couple of years in this department.
With high risk of tonal changes I’d rather shave more off the bridge/sadles…if the risk is minimal, I’d rather leave the bridge as is, and bite the bullit earlier

Find a specialist and it should be fine but in the meantime you can get another bridge to modify keeping the original stock.

 

[AFKAEjay(retired)]

Find a specialist and it should be fine but in the meantime you can get another bridge to modify keeping the original stock.

I got a super capable one nearby…these guys handle vintage instruments on a daily basis…and at the moment it needs nothing, perfect as is…but zero slack left.
Maybe I’m lucky, and it stays where it is.

 

[Eagle]

Refret three of the week;

Mid 90s Japan fender .
Next up is yes a refret!
A Tyler though , or should that be Tyler,Tyler,Tyler,Tyler,Tyler (12 times)

 

[SillyOctpuss]

Refret three of the week;
View attachment 38405
View attachment 38406
Mid 90s Japan fender .
Next up is yes a refret!
A Tyler though , or should that be Tyler,Tyler,Tyler,Tyler,Tyler (12 times)

What size frets did they go for?

 

[Eagle]

What size frets did they go for?

55090 on the Tele ( good choice) and 57110 on the Tyler.

 

[Eagle]

Now this is what quarter sawn looks like;

Interesting that the wood was screwed to a template old school Fender style during construction.

Another heavy user of super glue.

 

[Eagle]

Hi Andy, recently bought a silver sky core with a small dent in the neck. What do you suggest would be the best method to repair this, or just leave it?

You could use steam ( wet cloth and soldering iron) risky if you have never done it before. That would be What I would do. Then if there was still a dent I would fill it with super glue and level it. Once again not beginner friendly.

 

[namathan_zirwir]

You could use steam ( wet cloth and soldering iron) risky if you have never done it before. That would be What I would do. Then if there was still a dent I would fill it with super glue and level it. Once again not beginner friendly.

I will probably take it in or maybe just leave it. Won't try myself. Thank you

 

[namathan_zirwir]

You could use steam ( wet cloth and soldering iron) risky if you have never done it before. That would be What I would do. Then if there was still a dent I would fill it with super glue and level it. Once again not beginner friendly.

just curious on the steaming method - would that still work on a finished neck like the Silver Sky?

 

[Eagle]

just curious on the steaming method - would that still work on a finished neck like the Silver Sky?

Yes .

 

[ctreitzell]

I own a Byrdland who may ..or may not need some work in a couple of years in this department.
With high risk of tonal changes I’d rather shave more off the bridge/sadles…if the risk is minimal, I’d rather leave the bridge as is, and bite the bullit earlier

I had a local luthier put a Faber on my Byrdland last year along with a fret crown. My Byrdland certainly has issues (G string always seems dampened; very little sustain). The Faber certainly made some micro differences in sustain as did the crowning bring back subtle clarity when playing pianissimo on frets 10-22

 

[Eagle]

Came out nice and clean with heat in spite of the copious amount of super glue.

Now I have to swap the caul on my fret press about 50 times to press the frets in a 10~12” compound fingerboard.

 

[BahamaDada]

Surely a headstock only a mother could love...

Isn't the customer in for some free hand jigsaw treatment?

 

[Eagle]

Surely a headstock only a mother could love...

Isn't the customer in for some free hand jigsaw treatment?

Looks great , love it.

 

[Eagle]

The frets just cut with end cutters giving you that PRS privat stock look .
On a serious note I think PRS USA should do better at crowning the flat tops they leave and properly finishing the ends. Who do the think they are !!! Gibson?

 

[Eagle]

Look at Ibanez J custom;

This is as good as it gets.
But this style only looks good with binding. Not great with the tang showing.
I’m happy with this personally;

This is 57110 stainless that I did.

 

[norminal]

It’s an acquired taste. I love the Tyler headstock!

 

[Eagle]

The next steps on the Tyler are flush file the ends and cut a steep bevel to preserve playing width then level.
Then crown and do the fret end dress.
It would look like this;

This shot is after files only no polish or papers have been used yet.
After this I would go along fret by fret detail work and polishing.

When you have finished you do anything you need to the fingerboard and oil it . If it is a gloss finish you also re polish the edges of the fingerboard so no evidence of any work is left. In fact everything a good Tech does should look like it left the factory that way however closely you examine it.

 

[rocknrollshakeup]

Hi Andy,
I was quoted $600 for a refret recently. Assuming this would be an excellent job by a custom guitar luthier, is that a reasonable price, or way too expensive?

 

[OrganicZed]

@rocknrollshakeup I paid $550 for a re-fret on an acoustic guitar with neck binding about three years ago. If the guitar is worth the investment and the luthier is highly reputable I'd say $600 is in the reasonable range. I will say this; don't go with the cheapest offer you can find because you want this done correctly.