Should I be getting my guitar refretted?

**asf1187** · 05-09-2016, 05:44 PM

about 4 months ago I picked up a 1976 Gibson Howard Roberts. The guitar was in good shape, but the frets were low and I got some buzzing. I went to a local tech who talked me out of getting a refret. He told me he could level the frets to the lowest point (somewhere around .3-.35") and get more life out of the frets. He did that for me, and set it up with super low action. It felt good, but since I have started getting some buzzing issues around the second fret. After giving the neck more relief, the action is a little too high and it takes more effort to play. When I compare the HR to any of my other guitars, I realize how low the frets really are! Does it make sense to just go ahead with the refret? Take a look at the photos and let me know what you think! Thanks.

**Little Jay** · 05-09-2016, 05:52 PM

Those look very low...lower even than those of my ES-125 that I am having refretted right now.

**Archie** · 05-09-2016, 06:46 PM

What frets?

You already have the worlds first fretless HR, I wouldn't bother putting any on

**abelljo** · 05-09-2016, 07:08 PM

You need new frets ASAP

**neatomic** · 05-09-2016, 07:13 PM

you have some mosrite frets going on there!!

Should I be getting my guitar refretted?-wp66d34463_0f-jpg

too low for a howard roberts..make sure you get level fee $$ taken off of refret price!!

cheers

**mad dog** · 05-09-2016, 09:52 PM

Real low. Too low for me. New frets are going to feel so nice.
MD

**furtom** · 05-09-2016, 10:02 PM

That's what happens when you buy a 40 year old Guitar. It sucks, but, you gotta do it.

**icr** · 05-09-2016, 10:03 PM

The lowest frets I have are 0.030" and the only reason they are staying is that the unplayed frets over the body are the same size and the guitar is from 1937. If I had your HR I'd refret. Did it already have a re-fret, I can't make out the nibs.

**vinlander** · 05-09-2016, 10:11 PM

Very low frets, even the nibs are gone, or was there a previous refret already?

**Alder Statesman** · 05-09-2016, 10:36 PM

Those look like someone who did not know what they were dressed the frets a few dozen times. New frets, properly installed, will be very nice.

**rabbit** · 05-09-2016, 10:50 PM

Remember, you CAN have taller than average frets installed.

You might enjoy it. You can try out the feel on a store guitar.

**Jehu** · 05-10-2016, 02:00 AM

+1

I've heard nothing but positive things about EVO. More durable than nickel, but won't wear your tools like SS. I plan to give them a go on my next build.

**Jabberwocky** · 05-10-2016, 03:51 AM

Re-fret. There's no crown left. It will ring true after a good re-fret.

Those low flat frets are characteristic of that middle 70s era. It was the age of the Fretless Wonder and all Gibsons from tha era have low flat frets,

Instead of messing around with the truss rod (don't), take it to a good luthier (not the guy who told you not to re-fret). Give it nice new Jescar EVO medium jumbo fretwire. Your guitar will play like it were brand new but sound 40 years old!

Some techs will dissuade you from using EVO as the material is a little harder to work with than nickel-silver. EVO work-hardens. Find one who doesn't. Let us know which neck of the woods you're residing in and perhaps we can throw some names your way.

**helios** · 05-10-2016, 05:33 AM

Jabber speaks wisdom.
I had reservations about having my guitar (Ibanez AF200) re-fretted, but I decided to go ahead with the Jescar medium jumbo (.104 X .047") copper alloy fretwire. I was familiar with this fretwire, as I have it on a Warmoth neck on another guitar (Mooncaster). It has the appearance of gold (don't let my crappy tungston lighting photo fool you). I have my relief set at a fairly flat .004". It is great to play a guitar that has a perfect frets! The gentleman who did the work has a well deserved local reputation for high quality work. I couldn't be more happy with the results, so if I were you, I would go ahead with the refret and possibly consider this fretwire that I and others have suggested, and you will likely never look back, if you have a luthier/technician who is skilled to do the work. Jeff

**Matt Cushman** · 05-10-2016, 08:47 AM

If you don't want the look of gold fretwire 18% nickel silver is almost as hard as evo gold but it is silver in color. The gold has a Vicker's hardness of ( HV5 250 ) the 18% nickel is ( HV5 200 ) stainless steel is (HV5 300 ). Harder fretwire may cost slightly more to install than standard 12% wire as it is a bit more difficult to install and polish. Harder wire is superior to softer wire as a set up will last much longer and play better over time.

**travisty** · 05-10-2016, 10:27 AM

Jabber,
I got a re-fret needed in HK. Any suggestions?

**Jabberwocky** · 05-10-2016, 11:18 AM

Originally Posted by travisty

Jabber,
I got a re-fret needed in HK. Any suggestions?

Matthew Wan?

Address:14A Hong Kong Jewellery Building, Queen's Road Central, HK (E2 exit Sheung Wan MTR) . Warning: his website is infected and redirected me to a porno website. Nice Chinese ladies. What an eyeful.