Where do you guys go for refrets?

[HomespunEffects]

I have 3 guitars that I’d like to have refretted. Does anyone have any suggestions?

Local guys either do not answer the phone or are not taking new customers. My guy Randy from Axecraft has a non-working number. I’d imagine he’s not doing it anymore.

Anyone have suggestions for the Pittsburgh, PA or Youngstown,OH areas?

 

[FuzzyAce]

 

[HomespunEffects]

Yeah. It does look like I’m going to be doing the work myself.

Btw, where are you located @FuzzyAce ?

 

[FuzzyAce]

Yeah. It does look like I’m going to be doing the work myself.

Btw, where are you located @FuzzyAce ?

Atlanta area. But yeah, I got a bug in my butt years back and started doing my own refrets. Even new guitars or necks might need special attention so I 'taught myself' and got the necessary tools. I'm a diy kind of guy anyways so I enjoy it and get the results I want.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Atlanta area. But yeah, I got a bug in my butt years back and started doing my own refrets. Even new guitars or necks might need special attention so I 'taught myself' and got the necessary tools. I'm a diy kind of guy anyways so I enjoy it and get the results I want.

I am also a DIY guy. Have you posted a list of necessary tools.

I have put together a Stewmac Tele clone and did all the fretwork myself but I’ve never actually replaced a fret.

 

[Sleezy E]

Curious as well.. my 95 LP is in need of a refret and I want to go stainless but not sure if I trust doing that as my first job

 

[Baba]

I've been using Aperio Guitars for the last couple of years, but his bookings are like a year and a half out.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I am also a DIY guy. Have you posted a list of necessary tools.

I have put together a Stewmac Tele clone and did all the fretwork myself but I’ve never actually replaced a fret.

I haven't posted a list of tools or anything. But most of the tools either came from Philadelphia Luthier, Stewmac, LMI and the occasional tidbit from Amazon.
They best way is to watch some good refret vids on youtube to get a sense of what's involved. Not everyone uses the same tools, but the processes are the same. Freddy Frets inspired me a lot with his older refret vids and he does a lot of custom builds, some even for Alex Lifeson.

 

[dk_ace]

I have several that need them too. I’m comfortable doing leveling and crowning, but I’m just not able to get my head around doing a refret on my favorite guitars. There’s too much risk for me of turning it into a wall ornament. If the slots are too tight or too loose you end up with big problems. The problem is that I haven’t found anyone close by that I’m comfortable having do the work.

D

 

[FuzzyAce]

Curious as well.. my 95 LP is in need of a refret and I want to go stainless but not sure if I trust doing that as my first job

Yeah, not sure you'd want that as a training piece. I've still yet to refret my '77 Artist because it still plays great even though it needs attention, and a level and crown would be pointless because the frets are already as short as I'd want to go. But it has binding, the little nubs at the end, ebony fingerboard, etc. so it's a lot more detailed and time-consuming work. I'll get around to it but it's not an everyday player either.

 

[HomespunEffects]

I haven't posted a list of tools or anything. But most of the tools either came from Philadelphia Luthier, Stewmac, LMI and the occasional tidbit from Amazon.
They best way is to watch some good refret vids on youtube to get a sense of what's involved. Not everyone uses the same tools, but the processes are the same. Freddy Frets inspired me a lot with his older refret vids and he does a lot of custom builds, some even for Alex Lifeson.

I’ll check out freddy frets. Thanks.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I’ll check out freddy frets. Thanks.

https://www.youtube.com/@FreddysFrets

 

[FuzzyAce]

@HomespunEffects
With Freddy, I'd start here and go through the chapter vids. There's a lot of good vids out there but he explains things very well, does fantastic work, and is a fantastic guitar player.

 

[JasonE]

I had thought about buying a Plek machine at one point. I have a room in my garage that I could put it in. I figured it would be something I could do on the side and maybe after retirement. I didn't know how much business I would actually get. My local mom and pop shop has a Plek and I didn't want to take business away from them so I kind of shelved the idea. Maybe if they ever go out of business I could talk to them about buying the machine.

 

[Eagle]

Me obviously.

An example or two.

Jescar stainless steel 57110 . Carriage might be a bit though .

 

[FuzzyAce]

Jescar stainless steel 57110 . Carriage might be a bit though .

I've been using the Jescar 58118-EVO on all my latest refrets and love them. I like the 57110-EVO too.

 

[HomespunEffects]

Me obviously.
View attachment 36036
An example or two.
View attachment 36037
Jescar stainless steel 57110 . Carriage might be a bit though .

I’ll drive over to see you.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I’ll drive over to see you.

 

[Eagle]

I've been using the Jescar 58118-EVO on all my latest refrets and love them. I like the 57110-EVO too.

I don’t see the point of evo when SS is harder.

 

[FuzzyAce]

I don’t see the point of evo when SS is harder.

It's not really about harder, it feels different, has a different attack. I like SS too though, not saying one is better than the other.
Dunlop 6000 has a different feel too, I use those on a few guitars as well.