What do you do when your carbon fiber guitar....

[gerardo1000]

...shows signs of fretwear? Rainsong, McPherson, Journey offer CF guitars with traditional nichel frets. I always thought that this is a contraddiction considering that these guitars are supposed to last a life time with no need for mainteinance...
So what do you do when your beloved carbon fiber guitar needs a whole or partial re-fret? Rainsong claims that any luthier can refret its guitars, I have my doubts that he could do it without at least visible cosmetic issues. Any opinion ?

[121]

When I first started considering a carbon fiber acoustic, I focused on Rainsong and another brand. The final deciding factor came down to fret material, which would have the least wear. I chose the brand with stainless steel frets.

Here is an article about re-fretting a RainSong

https://www.cozadguitars.com/article...ng-refret.html

[NoodleFingers]

I can't speak to any of the other types, but I know that RainSongs can be re-fretted like any other guitar. And I'm sure those new frets could be stainless steel, if you like.

[gerardo1000]

If you look at the way frets are installed on Rainsong guitars (with hidden tangs), I doubt that a luthier can put new frets maintaining the same clean look?

[Earl49]

Fret tang nippers as used on regular bound fret boards, and as described in the Cozad article. According to Dave at Rainsong, re-fretting their guitars is a normal thing - not some exotic process.
https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tool...ng_Nipper.html

[tbeltrans]

My Cargos have stainless steel frets and my McPherson Touring has EVO gold frets. I don't expect any of these to wear out in my lifetime. I can't imagine why other CF guitars would use fret material that wears out sooner, when the rest of the guitar is built to last forever.

Tony

[eatswodo]

My carbon fibre guitar has stainless steel frets. I fully expect them to outlive me.

I can't reveal the manufacturer. Apparently mention of the E-word around here has become a trigger for some.

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

My carbon fibre guitar has stainless steel frets. I fully expect them to outlive me.

I can't reveal the manufacturer. Apparently mention of the E-word around here has become a trigger for some.

Isn't the punishment currently public caning?

Tony

[jonfields45]

Originally Posted by gerardo1000

If you look at the way frets are installed on Rainsong guitars (with hidden tangs), I doubt that a luthier can put new frets maintaining the same clean look?

Not much different than binding. Looking at my RainSongs, it seems reasonable that the necks were fretted before attaching to the body, but there is no clear evidence to my eye to determine if they were fretted before the fingerboard was integrated into the neck. I am guessing fretting is the final step in RainSong neck assembly.

[ceciltguitar]

Buy an Emerald: stainless steel frets are standard.

[EvanB]

Eatswodo;

Is it a hair-trigger?

[Bluesdale]

Originally Posted by ceciltguitar

Buy an Emerald: stainless steel frets are standard.

Same with Composite Acoustics. At least mine is.

[Captain Jim]

Originally Posted by eatswodo

My carbon fibre guitar has stainless steel frets. I fully expect them to outlive me.

I can't reveal the manufacturer. Apparently mention of the E-word around here has become a trigger for some.

Time to toughen up... just like building up calluses on your fingertips. Say it loud, say it proud: I like stainless steel frets!

Oh, and... Emerald.

[tbeltrans]

Originally Posted by Captain Jim

Time to toughen up... just like building up calluses on your fingertips. Say it loud, say it proud: I like stainless steel frets!

Oh, and... Emerald.

...or CA Guitars (at least the original models).

Tony

[AZLiberty]

If an when the Rainsong needs new frets I'll take it to the local Martin certified tech.

Can't be that different from re-fretting one of Martin's composite fretboards.