Neck swap, or refret.

[DeTerminator]

Hello Telecaster enthusiasts,

I'm debating what I want to do with my 1999 '52 AVRI. I need to do something about the neck, after I've worn down the already low frets. I also have a 50's Baja, and prefer the neck, and frets, on that one.

I could get a Baja neck, and put that on the AVRI, or get the original neck refretted, with medium jumbo ones. I prefer the 9.5 Baja radius for the type of playing that I'm doing, as well as it's medium jumbo frets.

I read here that having the larger frets put on a 7.25 neck make it seem like having a flatter radius. I'm undecided what to do, but the project is in no hurry. I just want to eventually get the '52 Reissue back in action (got the Don Mare pickups in it!). There's a new Baja neck now listing on $329.99 on Ebay. A refret job is probably cheaper, but I'm not considering the price too much. Also, there's the custom neck route to consider, from other vendors.

Any ideas with that one?

 

[BariTele]

I new neck will definitely cost more than a refret; however, if you prefer the feel of another neck, it's probably worth the investment.

 

[Telenator]

A re-fret on a maple neck often costs close to expense of a new neck.

I would buy a new neck and then sell the old one to someone who does their own fret work. They'll feel like they got a deal.

 

[DeTerminator]

Tough call here, as there are pro's and cons to each choice. That's why I think this one is going to take a while to figure out! Probably the easiest is to spring for a new Baja neck. I REALLY like the neck on my Baja! It has all the features I prefer. The old AVRI neck isn't too shabby, though. It's got some chunk to it, which is nice. With medium jumbo frets, it would likely be good to go. The radius difference isn't TOO big a deal, with the right frets. I appreciate your advice! Like I said, some serious cogitatin', and time, is in order. Who knows, maybe some other idea will come up, as well.

 

[charlie chitlin]

It's hard to get clean results with a refret on a maple neck.
Without a refinish, the finish will, to some degree, be chipped around the frets.
Larger frets, though, can cover up most of the sloppiness.
I'd say, if you're going to keep the guitar forever, have it refretted.
If you're thinking about resale, you might want to consider having the frets dressed, and swap the neck. Then, when it's time to sell, you can put the original neck on.

 

[Norrin Radd]

I REALLY like the neck on my Baja! It has all the features I prefer.

This is all I needed to read. Why is this a difficult decision again?

 

[KokoTele]

Keep in mind that the way a particular neck resonates is part of the tone of the guitar. When you swap necks, you often change the tone of the guitar. Sometimes it's a little, but sometimes it's a lot. For that reason, I usually recommend a refret over a neck swap.

Cost: A good tech can refret a finished maple fretboard without having to refinish. Depending on who you use and where you live (if you use a local tech), the cost will be between $200 and $300. You can't get a new finished neck for that price.

I read here that having the larger frets put on a 7.25 neck make it seem like having a flatter radius.

That's not correct. It is possible to have bigger frets installed and have a flatter radius filed into them. It eats away a lot of meat in the middle of the fret while still retaining the full height on the ends. It's a pretty good solution, though not a perfect one.

How much do you love the tone of your guitar? If it's perfect and you'd never change a thing, I'd get it refretted with bigger frets and a 9.5" radius filed in. If not, I'd go the easy route and swap the neck. You'll likely be able to sell your '52 neck for more than a Baja neck would cost.

 

[tap4154]

I just had my 2001 '52 AVRI leveled & dressed. I really thought it might be too far gone, but was happily surprised when I got it back. Plays as good as new (maybe better, since I never had it leveled before). My cost was $150.

Here's some "after" pics. I didn't take any "before" close-ups but it had bad divots 1-3, squared/flat frets up higher and looked like a mess.

 

[DeTerminator]

Decision made...new Baja neck is the best route! Didn't take as long as I thought to figure out... thanks for sharing your time, as well as opinions. Have a great weekend!

 

[tap4154]

Cool!

But I'd bundle that AVRI neck up and put in the closet, loosening the truss a bit so it doesn't back-bow. Always a chance you may want to reunite it with it's body in the future

 

[songtalk]

Tough call here, as there are pro's and cons to each choice. That's why I think this one is going to take a while to figure out! Probably the easiest is to spring for a new Baja neck. I REALLY like the neck on my Baja! It has all the features I prefer. The old AVRI neck isn't too shabby, though. It's got some chunk to it, which is nice. With medium jumbo frets, it would likely be good to go. The radius difference isn't TOO big a deal, with the right frets. I appreciate your advice! Like I said, some serious cogitatin', and time, is in order. Who knows, maybe some other idea will come up, as well.

Springing for a new Baja neck is definitely not the solution. I have owned four different Baja necks and all of them felt astronomically different from each other. I don't think that is going to be a solution if you love THIS neck.

Send the Baja neck you love to Tommy at USA Custom Guitars and have him clone it for you.

 

[BariTele]

Keep in mind that the way a particular neck resonates is part of the tone of the guitar. When you swap necks, you often change the tone of the guitar. Sometimes it's a little, but sometimes it's a lot. For that reason, I usually recommend a refret over a neck swap.

I've had the tone of a guitar change due to a fret level. I imagine a refret could produce a similar change (mostly in the attack).

 

[DeTerminator]

Yeah, I'd like the new neck, but definitely taking my time about it! I have another concern. The '99 AVRI is a very light guitar. The body is thinner front to back, compared to the Baja, which weighs 7 b. 10 oz., and is noticeably lighter. I'm wondering if the thick Baja neck on the light AVRI body is going to amount to a poorly balanced guitar, while standing. So, I still need to do more head scratchin' on this! That was another idea, brought up by Songtalk. That is, going to Tommy at USA Custom Guitars. It is hard to say if my Baja neck is the absolute best neck for me, since I've only played one Baja. It is very nice one, though. I like the dimensions, and V shape. It would be cool to have two Tele's with the same neck specs, but, then again, there's the balance concern to think about.

 

[songtalk]

He can hand pick for weight.

Give him a call and ask for his advice in real time.

 

[DeTerminator]

He can hand pick for weight.

Give him a call and ask for his advice in real time.

Thanks for the good advice, songtalk, duly noted! I was also wondering what the owners of very lightweight Baja's have to say about the balance with their guitars. I know somebody out there has mentioned one that's around 6 lb. 10 oz. It seems a great deal of them are on the heavier side, and wondering if maybe there's a reason behind that. Counter balance, for the fat neck?

 

[DeTerminator]

I just had my 2001 '52 AVRI leveled & dressed. I really thought it might be too far gone, but was happily surprised when I got it back. Plays as good as new (maybe better, since I never had it leveled before). My cost was $150.

Here's some "after" pics. I didn't take any "before" close-ups but it had bad divots 1-3, squared/flat frets up higher and looked like a mess.

Nice pics...those frets sure look round!

 

[Blackguard13]

New warmoth neck man. Get your dream neck for just as much as a refret. Just my two cents.

 

[moosie]

I'd have mine refretted with those tiny vintage frets it came with. But in stainless. Something you won't find on a bought neck, and you'll never wear 'em out. Plus, they bend like glass.

 

[songtalk]

I'd have mine refretted with those tiny vintage frets it came with. But in stainless. Something you won't find on a bought neck, and you'll never wear 'em out. Plus, they bend like glass.

This is the best idea if you really love that 52 the way it is.

SS frets are so nice.

 

[DeTerminator]

I'd have mine refretted with those tiny vintage frets it came with. But in stainless. Something you won't find on a bought neck, and you'll never wear 'em out. Plus, they bend like glass.

Thanks, I'm definitely considering all the suggestions. I could try to make it more suitable for my playing style (new neck, with 9.5 radius and larger frets), or keep it more traditional (with original neck, and same type of frets, but stainless). I'll be weighing the options carefully. It does seem a shame to try to turn it into something else other than it's original configuration, when I have the Baja as an alternative.