Refretting neck

spudler · May 2009

Hey has anyone here refretted their own necks?? I gota great deal on SS fret wire and am contemplating changing my own frets I found some videos and have the tools for cutting frets stuff was just wondering if anyone else has done this and if anyone has tried but destroyed ther fingerboards?? I amn contemplating buying a extra neck just in case i ruin mine I still want top be able to play my guitar and figure if I find one first i can get a better deal the waiting till i ruin it and then am impatient and have to pay more. or I may not ruin it at all just wanted some feedback.
I am also wanting to do this because I think it would be cool to say I did that type of work and I think it would be a good talent to have in the future in case i get another used guitar and want to replace fret wire.
I also wanted to know I have a Ibanez RG 270 can I use other Ibanez necks or do I have to just use the RG 270 necks I havent seen any of those for sale.
I more question what is a fair price if I was to take it to a luthier and had them install my wire I bought???
I heard the Stainless Steel last for quite a bit longer without having to lvl and RE-crown it mine is pretty flat in spots since i really started inspecting it thouroughly

ednrg · May 2009

Although it is \"cool\" to do your own guitar work, there is one rule you should follow : \"If it isn't broke, don't fix it.\"

If you need to do a fret job for some reason, then go ahead. If your frets are a little worn, simply do a fret leveling, which is a good start for any guitar player wanting to get into the guitar tech world.

jamminmj · May 2009

I would get a inexpensive neck or guitar to try it out on first. I have been contemplating this myself as it gets rather expensive when you
have a few guitars and they need to have the frets done all at the same time. I have a neck to practice on, just need a few more tools and the time.

Manitou · May 2009

I see you've been to the FretGuru.

That's a good start. He's a good teacher.

Fret leveling for your RG 270 will cost you $100 and up, depending on if you need any frets replaced. They have to still have enough height to be playable after leveling and crowning, so your Luthier will determine if you need a complete refret job. A total refret costs $250.
If your fretboard has binding, add $50. Individual frets cost $10 but many shops have a minimum charge to include leveling and crowning.
You might get a new neck, or one reconditioned for a great price, so compare costs. But, if you do it yourself...you will save on the luthier charges, but invest easily several hundred in tools and supplies. You will need some \"specialty tools.\"

To answer your question on what necks are compatible to your RG 270...I think you will find the Wizard II in the RG 220, 320, 370 and 470 will work, and the 420 reverse. But best email Ibanez and ask the tech shop to verify this, don't take my word. Some are bound necks, and some have those really cool shark fin inlays.

Make sure you know what the radius is on that neck. I think it's a Flattened C shape neck, with 12 to 15” radius fretboard. These Ibanez are all over the place. My JS 1000 is a strat carve with a compound radius. My RG 550 is about the thinnest I've seen, and has a gorgeous unbound flame maple fretboard.

Also, be certain this fret size is right for you, and that you know you like stainless steel frets, before you go to the trouble.
I've never tried stainless steel frets, but I'm sure they are better if you do allot of capo. They are suppose to be bright sounding...like a constant new pair of strings, not like the broke in sound (\"brownsound\") of nickel-silver. They are harder, and therefore slicker. Maybe good for bending notes. I'd go try a set first, if you've never played them before.

I do some luthier work, only it's been 12 years since my last effort. I'm planning to set up shop again soon, but first I'm going in for more surgery this Friday. I'm also still recuperating from surgery done 3 months ago. It'll be a couple months yet, but I have two projects I'm anxious to dig into. Both old acoustics, one a '69 Harmony, and the other a '70 Hofner. There is also some talk lately about building guitars from a stack of wood. I've been resisting that notion with all my might, and failing. I have an intense urge now to carve a Telecaster. I know I'd never go spend cash money on one, but the thought of whittling one out of some cheap kit...is oddly appealing to me.

spudler · May 2009

Thanks your neck looks just like mine. I think ill invest in another neck before i do anything to mine the real reason I wanted to get into this is ive seen broken guitars on craigslist and parts on Ebay and thought I would really like to buy decent but abused guitars and fix them up and either keep them or resell them I will be going back to school for manufacturing Technology degree so I will have a bunch of training on laths and milling machines plus 3D programming for those machines and figured in the long run i may build a body for some necks but that will be a couple years from now.
I already have the fret wire its jumbo like i have i have the dimensions here some where just not on the top of my head.

Manitou · May 2009

Cool daddy-o.

That RG 550 neck is a 5-piece Wizzard II Prestige neck, with three strips of hard rock maple and two thin strips of walnut.
The maple strips are arranged so that the grain on the outer two pieces is parallel, while the grain of the center strip is perpendicular to the other two.
There is also 2 titanium rods going down each side of the truss rod for added strength and rigidity.

spudler · May 2009

ya after re looking at mine its not the same yours is a lot cooler looking
but mine is maple lol

and after reading some of my post replies on a diffrent topic I have soooo much to learn on the guitar maybe ill get it figured out before i get arthritis so bad i can't play any more

Refretting neck

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