I’ve never refretted my 66 Tele, I think the time has come, thoughts?

[dougbgt6]

I have an MIJ Strat that's 30 years old next year, it had worn frets when I bought it 25 years ago, but last year I bit the bullet and had it done. I'm very happy with it, wished I'd had it done years ago. I'd stick with the frets you know that it was born with.

Doug

 

[specialidiot]

First of all, I came here to see a one owner 66 tele. Any pics?

Second.... If I had a 66 tele, the only person I'd trust with it is Peter Skermetta at Rockit Science in Austin TX. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned him.

Yes... see if you can borrow a tele neck with SS frets and try it on your guitar. It would sure suck if you turned out hating them.

 

[claytrelecaster]

What year did they stop putting the frets in from the side? I refretted my ‘56 Tele myself and it was no big deal. Back then the frets went in sideways, so I knocked them out sideways with a nail punch and mallet. And slid the new ones in… Easy for me because the git was already relic’ed the proper way, so I didn’t worry much about new dings…

 

[monkeybanana]

Aren't TR Crandall and Retrofret go to places in NYC? I'm on the other coast so I don't have direct experience.

 

[monkeybanana]

What year did they stop putting the frets in from the side? I refretted my ‘56 Tele myself and it was no big deal. Back then the frets went in sideways, so I knocked them out sideways with a nail punch and mallet. And slid the new ones in… Easy for me because the git was already relic’ed the proper way, so I didn’t worry much about new dings…

In your avatar it looks like your hammer came down a bit too far to the left <--jealous

 

[monkeybanana]

I follow this guy on Instagram looks like a pro:

Guitar Repair & Restoration By The Guitar Specialist, Inc.

Guitar Repair & Restoration. Masterful lutherie services for all fretted instruments Guitar and Bass repair and restoration clients like John Scofield, Joe Beck and John Abercrombie

www.guitarspecialist.com

 

[claytrelecaster]

In your avatar it looks like your hammer came down a bit too far to the left <--jealous

Lol…That’s how I found it in an old barn…

 

[monkeybanana]

Lol…That’s how I found it in an old barn…

whoa!

Hope this link works:

 

[Boreas]

The first question is always, always not “have you refretted a vintage Fender before” but “have you refretted a vintage fender and taken the frets out sideways, as they went in”. Photos of work is good. I’m about to take the plunge on getting a ‘73 maple neck done. I think I’ve found the right person who can do it without a refin but it’s still terrifying!

I did a 73 maple neck not long ago. My first one. It turned out pretty good, but there was about a quarter-inch of poly on the fretboard which was tough. I ended up removing all of the poly on the fretboard after I slid out the frets. That was my biggest mistake. When I removed the poly, I was left with fairly white raw maple. Doh! I used stain then wipe-on poly to refinish OVER the frets as originally done, But didn't succeed in getting a very aged look to the poly.

If I were to do it again, I would do it the same way, but not remove the poly down to the wood. Just level it out, insert new frets, and apply new finish over the frets. That would preserve a lot more patina.

 

[Boreas]

What year did they stop putting the frets in from the side? I refretted my ‘56 Tele myself and it was no big deal. Back then the frets went in sideways, so I knocked them out sideways with a nail punch and mallet. And slid the new ones in… Easy for me because the git was already relic’ed the proper way, so I didn’t worry much about new dings…

Can't say for sure - early 80s?

 

[RickatAscap]

That's exactly what I'll do, call him first and get an idea as to whose around, then I'll try out the Stainless Frets, try it before I buy it, You hit it on the head,
Thank you,
Rick

Ask sadowsky who he would recommend. or ask at Retrofret. I’m sure they’ve had a few vintage teles come through the shop that needed the same.

also,if you haven’t already, make the effort to find a tele or similar style guitar which has ss frets and play it. Some people really don’t get along with them for whatever reason. It’d be a shame to have to refret your guitar twice.

Thank "4fun", and all the rest of you, I hadn't even thought of calling my luthier, who left to start his own company, if anyone is seeking a refret, and is concerned about who to go to, and would consider shipping thier neck, I trust Roger's recommendation over anyone.
Thank you again

Roger Sadowsky​	1:49 PM (3 hours ago)
to me

What are the original frets on your '66 like? I also have a '66 Telecaster, it was one of the ones that came with "factory wide frets" instead of the more usual narrow "vintage" ones. Wide frets seemed to pop up on a number of '65 and '66 Teles and Strats.

I chose to have the guitar refretted with "narrow tall" frets and do not regret it.

Hi Rick,

My number #1 recommendation for a refret on a vintage guitar is:

Norio Imai
20 West 22 St #414
NY NY 10010
‭(917) 447-4894‬

 

[RickatAscap]

I don't know anyone in NYC...I live in Florida. Maybe reach out to your luthier-turned-bass-builder and see if he'd so a one-off refret for you. Can't hurt to ask. Otherwise, shipping to someone may be the way to go. I bought a neck with stainless frets from Parklane Guitars. Steve worked for Musikraft for years and does immaculate work. Fit and finish was exceptional on the new neck I bought from him. I'm pretty sure he does ship-in fretwork...check his website. I have no experience with him regarding refrets though, so ask about his experience, esp with vintage refrets. Someone can be great at fretting a brand-new neck and not necessarily be a great candidate for refretting.

I know someone else was recommended in Texas. Field referrals, but do your due diligence. Ask about their experience refretting vintage necks and ask to see pictures. If they get offended or say they don't have pictures, move on. Good luck!

I reached my guy this afternoon, he's so wrapped up with his new business, however, his recommendation is priceless to me, I now have that.
Thank "4fun", and all the rest of you, I hadn't even thought of calling my luthier, who left to start his own company, if anyone is seeking a refret, and is concerned about who to go to, and would consider possibly shipping the neck, I trust Roger's recommendation over anyone.
Thank you again

Roger Sadowsky​	1:49 PM (3 hours ago)
to me

What are the original frets on your '66 like? I also have a '66 Telecaster, it was one of the ones that came with "factory wide frets" instead of the more usual narrow "vintage" ones. Wide frets seemed to pop up on a number of '65 and '66 Teles and Strats.

I chose to have the guitar refretted with "narrow tall" frets and do not regret it.

Hi Rick,

My number #1 recommendation for a refret on a vintage guitar is:

Norio Imai
20 West 22 St #414
NY NY 10010
‭(917) 447-4894‬

 

[RickatAscap]

FWIW, here's a couple of places that might be worth checking out. No direct experience or affiliation with either...

https://www.30thstreetguitars.com/

https://peekamoose.com/

Good luck!

Cheers,
Doug

I know those guys, however, I was in touch with Sadowsky today, and he recommended someone with whom I feel very confident. His recommendation to me is priceless.
Thanks
Rick

 

[RickatAscap]

NYC is a killer place to have your work done, try the suggestion above or just call around to the premium guitar shops like Retrofret or Well Strung. Old guitars are their business.

I would suggest playing guitars with stainless frets first, it's a love/hate reaction for many people. They are fundamentally a hair different. If you've had the guitar for this long without a refret nickel is probably fine, and you can care for it too without abrasives to make it last even longer.

Would love pics of the guitar!


Edit. Also learned this the hard way multiple times: If I love a guitar as-is but it needs a refret I ask the tech to file the frets with the same top profile & match the fret width. That way they feel exactly the same just a bit taller & perfectly level so the guitar doesn't feel fundamentally different.

That is a very clever idea, I love the way the frets feel, I almost wish I could recreate the exact same set. I'm in good hands now, I connected with my guy who left his workshop, he gave me a recommendation, which for me, is priceless, as is your Edit info!
Thanks
Rick

 

[RickatAscap]

NYC is a killer place to have your work done, try the suggestion above or just call around to the premium guitar shops like Retrofret or Well Strung. Old guitars are their business.

I would suggest playing guitars with stainless frets first, it's a love/hate reaction for many people. They are fundamentally a hair different. If you've had the guitar for this long without a refret nickel is probably fine, and you can care for it too without abrasives to make it last even longer.

Would love pics of the guitar!


Edit. Also learned this the hard way multiple times: If I love a guitar as-is but it needs a refret I ask the tech to file the frets with the same top profile & match the fret width. That way they feel exactly the same just a bit taller & perfectly level so the guitar doesn't feel fundamentally different.

Exactly, I'll send you a few.

 

[TeleRooo]

RickatAscap​

Nik Sevigny has some interesting videos about refreting some of his Vintage 50s & 60s Fenders.

https://www.youtube.com/@theriffwniksevigny5473/search?query=refret

I'm not suggesting doing it like him. Just for some reference and kind of interesting.
Both George Gruhn and Joe Glaser have some great and experienced techs. But of course they are in Nashville. Might be worth a call to them for suggestions though. Hope whatever you end up doing it turns out great for you. Good Luck...

 

[RickatAscap]

That is a very clever idea, I love the way the frets feel, I almost wish I could recreate the exact same set. I'm in good hands now, I connected with my guy who left his workshop, he gave me a recommendation, which for me, is priceless, as is your Edit info!
Thanks
Rick

 

[RickatAscap]

RickatAscap​

Nik Sevigny has some interesting videos about refreting some of his Vintage 50s & 60s Fenders.

https://www.youtube.com/@theriffwniksevigny5473/search?query=refret

I'm not suggesting doing it like him. Just for some reference and kind of interesting.
Both George Gruhn and Joe Glaser have some great and experienced techs. But of course they are in Nashville. Might be worth a call to them for suggestions though. Hope whatever you end up doing it turns out great for you. Good Luck...

I spoke with my guy, my luthier who I worked with for many years, I took his recommendation, and all is good now.

I know George, I have a funny George story, there used to be a guitar show outside of NYC, and I would go every year. One year, I brought a Very Old Gibson L-5 guitar. As I was walking in, George stopped me and offered me twenty thousand dollars without even looking at the guitar. He told me he knew the case, firstly, I had no idea at the time he was George, and who would offer that kind of money without even checking it out. George would, I took the check, all good.

 

[RickatAscap]

First of all, I came here to see a one owner 66 tele. Any pics?

Second.... If I had a 66 tele, the only person I'd trust with it is Peter Skermetta at Rockit Science in Austin TX. I'm surprised nobody has mentioned him.

Yes... see if you can borrow a tele neck with SS frets and try it on your guitar. It would sure suck if you turned out hating them.

I'm a one-owner Tele guy, here are some pics, I have more, and I hope this is sufficient.







I was able to reach my guy, Roger Sadowsky who gave up doing repair work, and he recommended someone whom I trust without question, so I'm good on that. I'll feel the Stainless steel frets before I make a decision
Thanks

 

[dasherf17]

I’ve had my Telecaster since 1966, and I’ve never refretted this guitar, which happens to be my go to guitar for the most part, depending on the work. The time is now, although I’ve been doing a lot of work on my guitars as of recent, this one, I don’t want to try my hand at something so important, which could make or break the guitar as I see it. I’m not a metal player, I do a great deal of finger style work, dropping the pick almost fifteen years ago. I’m not looking to radically change the guitar, I’m looking for it to feel good in my hands, not seeking to change the feel of the 66, Any thoughts? I’m well aware people have their own preferences, i’m looking to restore the guitar to the way it was when I first purchased it In 66. Any thoughts?
Thanks,
Rick

...all that and no pics...