refretting AV 52 RI ?

SteveW · January 25th, 2006, 06:29 PM

I recently had hand surgery due to serious tendinittis in left hand.

My hand feels a little week and i'm having touble bending and doing wrist vibrato on the tiny frets.

Should i refret with jumbos?

Thank you,

Steve

Jean-Baptiste · January 26th, 2006, 10:02 AM

I hope you recover soon- I'd imagine guitar playing would be pretty good tharapy, as long as you don't overdo it.

Changing the frets will definitely make your 52ri feel different, but I can't say how much 'better'. It's a matter of taste.

I didn't refret mine untill the frets were almost gone, and I do find the guitar easier to play. Bending notes seems to require less pressure, and because my luthier also planed the neck into a compound radius, I find playing up the neck to be much more comfortable, as well.

But before taking the plunge, I suggest you go down to the music store and try a modern tele w/medium jumbos. You should be able to tell within minutes whether they'll work for you or not.

Lostheart · January 26th, 2006, 10:36 AM

Did it change the overall feel of the guitar?
I know what a 52 AV RI feels like...I'm just at a point where I need new frets and have no clue whether I should have vintage ones put back in or Dunlop 6105's which are described as "narrow and tall"?
Is there really so much difference between the two?
The folks at the guitar shops around here usually aren't that knowledgeable and I doubt they can tell me the fret sizes so there's really no point in asking them...and my luthier...he says it's up to me...he's love to but cannot show me any necks for me to compare...I'm kinda lost here...
I want something with longevity and a good handling...but I want the guitar to feel like it does right now...

eryque · January 26th, 2006, 02:30 PM

Yes, bigger frets will make the guitar feel different. But it also sounds like you need the guitar to feel different to play it without pain. I just re-necked my guitar with 6105 frets, which are huge. It takes a little getting used to, but I like it.

Even if your local shop can't tell you what guitar has what frets, you can do your homework and find out for yourself. 52RI and MIM 50s guitars have small frets, American Series guitars have medium jumbos. I'm not aware of any common guitars that come with frets bigger than medium-jumbos.

Lostheart · January 26th, 2006, 03:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by eryque

Yes, bigger frets will make the guitar feel different. But it also sounds like you need the guitar to feel different to play it without pain. I just re-necked my guitar with 6105 frets, which are huge. It takes a little getting used to, but I like it.

Even if your local shop can't tell you what guitar has what frets, you can do your homework and find out for yourself. 52RI and MIM 50s guitars have small frets, American Series guitars have medium jumbos. I'm not aware of any common guitars that come with frets bigger than medium-jumbos.

Are you sure you put 6105's on?
There was a post a while back where those Dunlop numbers were confused and the huge frets were in fact 6150's.
And I'm totally confused by now as well. I don't want a scalloped feel, just something a tiny little bit bigger than those vintage frets.
Any thoughts on Dunlop's 6230's which are referred to as "mediums" and 6320's "vintage" and how do these two relate to Fender's vintage wire?

Dana · January 26th, 2006, 03:23 PM

Don't know if this helps or not but Warmoth has this page which describes different fret sizes.

A stock 52 RI probably has 6230 frets.

For what it's worth, I've used 6105 frets on a few guitars and I liked them. They're not huge, at least not in my opinion.

Scott S · January 26th, 2006, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana

Don't know if this helps or not but Warmoth has this page which describes different fret sizes.

A stock 52 RI probably has 6230 frets.

For what it's worth, I've used 6105 frets on a few guitars and I liked them. They're not huge, at least not in my opinion.

Warmoth is the site that is responsible for confusing people about fret sizes by co-opting Dunlop's numbers.

A stock vintage RI Fender uses .084"x.039" frets, probably Dunlop 6190. Dunlop 6230 (.078"x.043") would make a good replacement.

When it doubt, check the Dunlop chart: http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/ma...ets/chart.html

Lostheart · January 27th, 2006, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott S

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dana

Don't know if this helps or not but Warmoth has this page which describes different fret sizes.

A stock 52 RI probably has 6230 frets.

For what it's worth, I've used 6105 frets on a few guitars and I liked them. They're not huge, at least not in my opinion.

Warmoth is the site that is responsible for confusing people about fret sizes by co-opting Dunlop's numbers.

A stock vintage RI Fender uses .084"x.039" frets, probably Dunlop 6190. Dunlop 6230 (.078"x.043") would make a good replacement.

When it doubt, check the Dunlop chart: http://www.jimdunlop.com/products/ma...ets/chart.html

Many thanks for pointing that out...I've been thinking about those 6320's as well.
A while ago I came across a Custom Shop Model...based on a Nocaster Relic but it had a Humbucker in the Neck Position. Now this baby had some sweet frets...not vinge ones, though? Anybody here knows whatkind of fretwire Fender used on those?

red57strat · January 27th, 2006, 10:56 PM

I had USACG put what they called 6105 frets on my neck and they measured .095" wide by .055" tall before dressing.

I love them. The only drawback is they make other guitars seem hard to play.

Twang · January 28th, 2006, 12:23 AM

I may be wrong but it seems that it would be cheaper to buy a new neck rather than refret the original...

Soon I am going to buy a replacement neck for my 52ri from our own Rob Difestano at frettech.com.

MBradford6288 · January 28th, 2006, 01:53 AM

definitely cheaper to get a new neck than refret the original. However, getting a new neck of similar quality is a little more difficult.

I put medium jumbos on my '52 RI (they come standard on american standards) and reradiused the neck to 10", which made a huge difference. I also took the finish off of the back and refinished with tru-oil. Made the neck a lot more accessible and much easier to play.

Lostheart · January 28th, 2006, 03:23 AM

Na, getting a new neck is no option. I really want to keep the old neck as I love this guitar...I respect everyone's opinion on the subject, but this throw-away mentality is a bit over my head.
You're not getting a new car just because of a flat tire, are you? ;-)

SteveW · January 28th, 2006, 05:43 AM

I put medium jumbos on my '52 RI (they come standard on american standards) and reradiused the neck to 10", which made a huge difference.

Thanks for your input everyone,

I am going to do the refret and re radius to help my recuperating left hand.

Steve W

Shnook · January 29th, 2006, 12:59 PM

Good idea to refret. Those small frets make my hand tingle and hurt, so I'm on the refret bandwagon too. All my other guitars have either 6100 or 6105 frets and I don't have a single problem with my hand on those.

PJ · January 29th, 2006, 02:10 PM

...and I don't know the fret number, but there's a fret size, just slightly larger than
Fender vintage (which I don't like too much). So I went slightly bigger, but in stainless steel. My luthier had just done a
Clapton Strat neck for a client in this size SS, and when he let me try it, I was sold.
The frets were on a 9.5" profile neck, but
there's very little actual difference between
7.5 and 9.5 across that small an area. I don't have the guitar back yet, but I'll let you know how it comes out. What I did with another guitar, was take the stock neck off, take it to my luthier, for a refret.
In the meantime, I had him decal & clearcoat a Warmoth neck, that's on the guitar while I wait. I even like the Warmoth
neck better than the Fender. It's beautiful.
Went 10" radius with 6105s. A vintage Tele
never felt and sounded so good. BTW, call my luthier if you want - he'll talk to you about fretting options - Superior Guitar Works, Phila. PA 888-Guitar-1 www.superiorguitar.com
PJ

January 25th, 2006, 06:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
SteveW TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 18	refretting AV 52 RI ? I recently had hand surgery due to serious tendinittis in left hand. My hand feels a little week and i'm having touble bending and doing wrist vibrato on the tiny frets. Should i refret with jumbos? Thank you, Steve

January 26th, 2006, 10:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
Lostheart Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 1,408	Did it change the overall feel of the guitar? I know what a 52 AV RI feels like...I'm just at a point where I need new frets and have no clue whether I should have vintage ones put back in or Dunlop 6105's which are described as "narrow and tall"? Is there really so much difference between the two? The folks at the guitar shops around here usually aren't that knowledgeable and I doubt they can tell me the fret sizes so there's really no point in asking them...and my luthier...he says it's up to me...he's love to but cannot show me any necks for me to compare...I'm kinda lost here... I want something with longevity and a good handling...but I want the guitar to feel like it does right now... __________________ Casper: "Mmmmm. Butterscotch, yo. That's the best!" From the movie Kids

January 26th, 2006, 02:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
eryque Poster Extraordinaire Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: albany, ny [not chicago] Posts: 7,127 44 Photos	Yes, bigger frets will make the guitar feel different. But it also sounds like you need the guitar to feel different to play it without pain. I just re-necked my guitar with 6105 frets, which are huge. It takes a little getting used to, but I like it. Even if your local shop can't tell you what guitar has what frets, you can do your homework and find out for yourself. 52RI and MIM 50s guitars have small frets, American Series guitars have medium jumbos. I'm not aware of any common guitars that come with frets bigger than medium-jumbos. __________________ my blog: eryque.blogspot.com Updated 9.17.08! Subscribe_____________________

January 26th, 2006, 03:23 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dana Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Ashland, Ma Posts: 1,695 11 Photos	Don't know if this helps or not but Warmoth has this page which describes different fret sizes. A stock 52 RI probably has 6230 frets. For what it's worth, I've used 6105 frets on a few guitars and I liked them. They're not huge, at least not in my opinion. __________________ www.good-ear.com www.miles.be Study music and not the musicians who play it. - Lincoln Goines

January 27th, 2006, 10:56 PM	#9 (permalink)
red57strat Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 1,222	I had USACG put what they called 6105 frets on my neck and they measured .095" wide by .055" tall before dressing. I love them. The only drawback is they make other guitars seem hard to play. __________________ Don

January 26th, 2006, 10:02 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jean-Baptiste Tele-Holic Join Date: Sep 2004 Posts: 633	I hope you recover soon- I'd imagine guitar playing would be pretty good tharapy, as long as you don't overdo it. Changing the frets will definitely make your 52ri feel different, but I can't say how much 'better'. It's a matter of taste. I didn't refret mine untill the frets were almost gone, and I do find the guitar easier to play. Bending notes seems to require less pressure, and because my luthier also planed the neck into a compound radius, I find playing up the neck to be much more comfortable, as well. But before taking the plunge, I suggest you go down to the music store and try a modern tele w/medium jumbos. You should be able to tell within minutes whether they'll work for you or not.

January 28th, 2006, 12:23 AM	#10 (permalink)
Twang Tele-Holic Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arlington, VA Age: 44 Posts: 674	I may be wrong but it seems that it would be cheaper to buy a new neck rather than refret the original... Soon I am going to buy a replacement neck for my 52ri from our own Rob Difestano at frettech.com. __________________ "we don't wear rhinestones because we think we're cool, we wear rhinestones because we think they're cool" - gp

January 28th, 2006, 01:53 AM	#11 (permalink)
MBradford6288 Tele-Meister Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 141	definitely cheaper to get a new neck than refret the original. However, getting a new neck of similar quality is a little more difficult. I put medium jumbos on my '52 RI (they come standard on american standards) and reradiused the neck to 10", which made a huge difference. I also took the finish off of the back and refinished with tru-oil. Made the neck a lot more accessible and much easier to play. __________________ Classical music is the kind we keep thinking will turn into a tune. -Kin Hubbard (1868 - 1930) Music makes one feel so romantic - at least it always gets on one's nerves - which is the same thing nowadays. -Oscar Wilde (1854 - 1900)

January 28th, 2006, 03:23 AM	#12 (permalink)
Lostheart Tele-Afflicted Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Germany Posts: 1,408	Na, getting a new neck is no option. I really want to keep the old neck as I love this guitar...I respect everyone's opinion on the subject, but this throw-away mentality is a bit over my head. You're not getting a new car just because of a flat tire, are you? ;-) __________________ Casper: "Mmmmm. Butterscotch, yo. That's the best!" From the movie Kids

January 28th, 2006, 05:43 AM	#13 (permalink)
SteveW TDPRI Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 18	I put medium jumbos on my '52 RI (they come standard on american standards) and reradiused the neck to 10", which made a huge difference. Thanks for your input everyone, I am going to do the refret and re radius to help my recuperating left hand. Steve W

January 29th, 2006, 12:59 PM	#14 (permalink)
Shnook Tele-Meister Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Roanoke, VA Posts: 402	Good idea to refret. Those small frets make my hand tingle and hurt, so I'm on the refret bandwagon too. All my other guitars have either 6100 or 6105 frets and I don't have a single problem with my hand on those.

January 29th, 2006, 02:10 PM	#15 (permalink)
PJ Friend of Leo's Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Philadelphia, PA Posts: 2,082 4 Photos	I'm Having My '71 Refretted Now.... ...and I don't know the fret number, but there's a fret size, just slightly larger than Fender vintage (which I don't like too much). So I went slightly bigger, but in stainless steel. My luthier had just done a Clapton Strat neck for a client in this size SS, and when he let me try it, I was sold. The frets were on a 9.5" profile neck, but there's very little actual difference between 7.5 and 9.5 across that small an area. I don't have the guitar back yet, but I'll let you know how it comes out. What I did with another guitar, was take the stock neck off, take it to my luthier, for a refret. In the meantime, I had him decal & clearcoat a Warmoth neck, that's on the guitar while I wait. I even like the Warmoth neck better than the Fender. It's beautiful. Went 10" radius with 6105s. A vintage Tele never felt and sounded so good. BTW, call my luthier if you want - he'll talk to you about fretting options - Superior Guitar Works, Phila. PA 888-Guitar-1 www.superiorguitar.com PJ __________________ PJ "I don't know if it's art, but I like it."