Todays Bench @ "The Ville"

[mellecaster]

Todays Workbench at Desperadoville...USA...On my 2nd cup of Folgers this Morning, I look over at neighbors house (about 100 ft. away)...and see their attic Fully involved in 4 ft. high flames !...needless to say it was a hetic morning.

On to subject matter...as I've stated before, I don't get into fret replacement, and full fret jobs because w/ me being primarily a Fender guy (Bolt on necks).I just can't justify the Expense of the proper Tools & Jigs and Labor costs...when a complete neck can be purchased for a more reasonable amount (Take a look through the Stew-Mac catalog if ya don't believe me, and add up the costs of the Jigs, tools, etc.)...but on Guitars that have some life left on the frets (85% of those I run across)...I do perform a lot of Level...Crown & Polish jobs....these Pics were from a Great Old Original 1967 D-18 (Original Owner)...that had a bit of divots in the Cowboy area of the neck. Not near as much metal has to be removed as you might think, to completely clean up a Fret. So with about 2 hours labor ($70.00)...and a little TLC...this Ole Boy has Nice smooth frets w/ another 42 years left of at Home playing. And all the Cool fingerboard Mojo has been left as it was, for that nice broken in feel that it earned over the years....Gotta do some Saddle & Nut work tomorrow, but can't wait to string it up with some Phos. Bronze .013-.056 Mediums......

[Southern Ill Electrics]

That looks lovely laying there......Like you mentioned about "waiting to string her up"......such a good feeling.....knowing its gonna play better and easier.

Kissing and polishing those frets.....clean the fret board and etc.......then string it up and enjoying it. Great feeling and please, ENJOY !!!!

[Ricky D.]

Tony, you should have shot a picture of the first few frets before you did the work. I didn't think there was that much left.