Should you Refret a vintage guitar?

I’ve done the vintage thing for a long time and do feel that having a refretted guitar does in fact affect the value–provided that the original frets are in good shape. Of course if a guitar has worn unplayable frets that doesn’t make it more valuable than if the frets are replaced–sometimes it’s a necessity.

Is it worth it to Refret a guitar?

Refretting usually costs between $200 and $400, and it is worth it if you plan on playing that guitar. Especially if it is a more expensive one. Refretting cheaper guitars might not be a good idea since the whole procedure can cost more than you paid for the instrument.

How long do frets on a guitar last?

And how long do guitar frets usually last? It depends on the fret material, frequency of your playing and the style of your playing. Taking all these factors in account, guitar frets life can range from a few years to even 20-30 years.

What is compression fretting?

‘Compression’ fretting is the careful selection of fret ‘tang’ size in order to ‘wedge’ fret slots open wider, thereby (hopefully) correcting a bowed neck. Installing a fret with a larger tang can have a ‘wedging’ effect and back bow the fingerboard.

When should you replace fret wire?

Frets are meant to be used. If they have light divots or some uneven wear, they can likely be leveled and dressed, but if they are so worn and gouged out that they don’t do their job anymore, it’s time for replacements.

Is it difficult to Refret a guitar?

Performing a complete refret job is about as big as a job can be in guitar lutherie – but don’t let that scare you away. If it’s done poorly, you can usually salvage the job by pulling the frets again and giving it another try. It’s an extremely valuable skill to have, and the core requirement for a perfect action.

When should I change my guitar frets?

How much does it cost to PLEK a guitar?

How hard is it to Refret a guitar?

How long do cheap guitars last?

The roughest estimation would be around 10 years for a cheap acoustic\classical guitar. On the other hand, even cheap electric guitars will be able to last a lot longer, 20-30 years. Of course, if we talk about expensive models, both acoustic and electric guitars will be able to last you for a lifetime.

How long does it take to Refret a guitar?

around 6-10 hrs
A full refret will take around 6-10 hrs of total labor, but luthiers usually work with tens of instruments at a time which means your guitar can take up to a week.