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  #1  
Old 01-17-2019, 12:18 PM
gerardo1000 gerardo1000 is offline
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Default What do you do when your carbon fiber guitar....

...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 ?
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Old 01-17-2019, 12:32 PM
121 121 is offline
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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
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Last edited by 121; 01-17-2019 at 01:14 PM.
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Old 01-17-2019, 12:57 PM
NoodleFingers NoodleFingers is offline
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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.
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Old 01-17-2019, 01:11 PM
gerardo1000 gerardo1000 is offline
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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?

Last edited by gerardo1000; 01-17-2019 at 02:00 PM.
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Old 01-17-2019, 02:24 PM
Earl49 Earl49 is offline
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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
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:03 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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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.

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Old 01-17-2019, 06:16 PM
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David Eastwood David Eastwood is offline
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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.
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:47 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eatswodo View Post
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
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:51 PM
jonfields45 jonfields45 is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by gerardo1000 View Post
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.
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Old 01-17-2019, 07:00 PM
ceciltguitar ceciltguitar is offline
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Buy an Emerald: stainless steel frets are standard.
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Old 01-17-2019, 07:21 PM
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Eatswodo;

Is it a hair-trigger?
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Old 01-17-2019, 07:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ceciltguitar View Post
Buy an Emerald: stainless steel frets are standard.
Same with Composite Acoustics. At least mine is.
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Old 01-17-2019, 07:24 PM
Captain Jim Captain Jim is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by eatswodo View Post
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.

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Old 01-17-2019, 07:26 PM
tbeltrans tbeltrans is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Captain Jim View Post
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
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Old 01-17-2019, 07:31 PM
AZLiberty AZLiberty is offline
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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.
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