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  #1  
Old 01-23-2018, 06:27 AM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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Default New frets and fret height preference

I'm ready to re fret an Epi ES 339 which currently has frets that measure in the 0.030" height range. I have a Fender copy and a ES 335 with frets that measure 0.055 and 0.50" respectively. I didn't figure out why the 339 seemed harder for me to play than the others until I took a measurement. I'm assuming fret size is a preference? I'm thinking of going with 6105 or 6100 frets. I'll be doing my own fret work so my cost will be the fret wire and my time.
Any input appreciated.

Last edited by gip111; 01-23-2018 at 07:00 AM.
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  #2  
Old 01-23-2018, 10:52 AM
arie arie is offline
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personally i don't like low frets. the feel is very clumsy and i don't like to touch the wood when fretting. on acoustics i like tall and narrow and on electrics i like tall and fat.
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Old 01-23-2018, 11:13 AM
LouieAtienza LouieAtienza is offline
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Yeah those are almost "fretless wonder" low... not Moserite Iow, but getting there. I do prefer taller frets myself, though j like to use this fretwire I got from StewMac that's sort if trapezoidal shaped - easier to recrown...
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Old 01-23-2018, 01:13 PM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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I decided to post this even though the topic is about an electric guitar, I thought it could also relate to acoustics as well. The new to me 339 (2011) seen a lot of use I'm assuming by the fret wear and was priced accordingly, deceiving though, the guitar itself looks great. I think it should be a fun project to take on re-fretting it. Trying to decide on which frets is another project but definitely in the taller side will be the choice. This one has binding so it will be a bit more involved I guess. I'll try and post pictures as I go and please any advice, I'm all ears.
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Old 01-24-2018, 07:33 AM
Ned Milburn Ned Milburn is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gip111 View Post
I'm ready to re fret an Epi ES 339 which currently has frets that measure in the 0.030" height range. I have a Fender copy and a ES 335 with frets that measure 0.055 and 0.50" respectively. I didn't figure out why the 339 seemed harder for me to play than the others until I took a measurement. I'm assuming fret size is a preference? I'm thinking of going with 6105 or 6100 frets. I'll be doing my own fret work so my cost will be the fret wire and my time.
Any input appreciated.
Fretwire is a preference. If you go for tall, you might want wide or standard width. Wide frets are nice for slurs (sliding).

Try to visit a local music store and try different guitars with different fret widths and heights. Then you'll get a better idea so you can make a more informed decision.
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  #6  
Old 01-24-2018, 08:03 AM
redir redir is offline
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I do like the fretless wonder feel but only for a little while. It's kind of cool but not the kind of thing I would want a lot of, like a sweet wine, just a taste is good enough. I like frets that are tall so my fingers don't drag across the wood of the fretboard.

But yes it is 100% preference. Sounds like you know what you like.
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Old 01-25-2018, 05:12 PM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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So I ordered a set of 0.051 x .109" set of 24 pieces from Amazon. What I didn't expect was that they were pre cut to size to fit my 339! I've done a couple of fret jobs before but never seen this and the fact that my guitar has binding, makes it a walk in the park, as far as cutting and sizing since there is very minimal filing to be done.
Now if I can figure out how to load pictures here...

Last edited by gip111; 01-25-2018 at 06:57 PM.
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  #8  
Old 01-25-2018, 09:25 PM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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https://photos.app.goo.gl/uIKZfLpdsaYIvTdy1

So the pictures show part of the process. Removing the frets was not difficult and with the right pullers there's minimal damage to the fretboard. It helps to warm up the frets before removal and avoid pulling, I let the puller (ground flush end snips) get under the fret and push down as I squeeze. After removal, I lightly sanded the board with minimal wood removal. The new frets were cut right to size... just happened they came that way. They're going in tight but I'm still using just a dab of glue. I'll post more as I go.
Thank you for the replies and interest.

Last edited by gip111; 01-26-2018 at 05:01 AM.
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  #9  
Old 01-26-2018, 07:27 AM
redir redir is offline
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Those frets didn't look as bad as I thought. Fretless wonders are ground right down to the fret board. But anyway I've seen frets sold precut before but never for a perfect fit like that. I guess that's one of the benefits of building to specs.
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Old 01-26-2018, 09:08 AM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redir View Post
Those frets didn't look as bad as I thought. Fretless wonders are ground right down to the fret board. But anyway I've seen frets sold precut before but never for a perfect fit like that. I guess that's one of the benefits of building to specs.
Most of the wear is around mid neck and some are extremely low towards the high E. A good guitarist would have most likely let this go, I need all the help I can get. I'm hoping I have time to finish by this weekend.

Last edited by gip111; 01-26-2018 at 11:15 AM.
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  #11  
Old 01-28-2018, 06:55 PM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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Job complete, I apologize for the quality of the pictures, last two shots show the finished fret job.

Link to pics https://photos.app.goo.gl/uIKZfLpdsaYIvTdy1

All tooling used was diy'd, being a tool maker I have collected many small files over the years and have made and or modified most of my tooling.
I have to admit and I kick myself in the rear for skimping on leveling the fretboard after the fret removal, I simply gave it a light sanding. This only made it a bit more of a process to level the frets since there were a couple of small dips on the fretboard but it all worked out fine in the end, after all the fret leveling, the frets still stand over .050".
The first fret action is super low now since the frets are higher and I can hear a light buzz on the low E if played hard, I'll let the guitar settle for a couple of days and what to do with the nut is a project for another day. Overall the guitar feels easier (for me) to fret and play.
Thanks for reading
Cheers!

Last edited by gip111; 01-28-2018 at 09:10 PM.
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  #12  
Old 01-29-2018, 07:43 AM
redir redir is offline
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Nice job. And yeah leveling is part of a fret job, why not
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  #13  
Old 01-30-2018, 09:43 AM
gip111 gip111 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by redir View Post
Nice job. And yeah leveling is part of a fret job, why not
Thank you. I'm very happy the way it came out.
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  #14  
Old 04-03-2019, 10:07 AM
vintage40s vintage40s is offline
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Deleted and reposted.
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  #15  
Old 04-03-2019, 08:16 PM
BT55 BT55 is offline
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Nicely done! You can take pride in refretting your own guitar. I’m glad that it worked out the way you wanted. I do all work on my guitars and am currently looking for a guitar to do my first refret job on. Mine are all good and I want to learn on one that doesn’t matter if I make mistakes.
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