Ethical Question regarding my Les Paul

[Cholo]

Well, well, well...I've come to grips with the fact that I don't care for my Les Paul as much as I used to. I have a 74' Les Paul Custom (20th Anniversary) which I'm sure is a "fretless wonder". Now I have had this guitar for quite some time and I really dig the sound but I am tired of fighting the frets on this thing. It's a chording dream but I REALLY dig into a neck when I play lead and I am really struggling with the fretboard on my guitar. It's not a new thing but as I'm getting older I'm wondering just what in the heck am I doing? Why not make it easier on myself?

I'm wondering if it would be more ethical to sell my Custom in order to pick up another Les Paul (like a standard with the large frets) OR should I refret my guitar and reduce the value of the instrument in the process?

Has anybody been in this situation? What did (or would) you do? I hate to sell the thing but the truth is...I just want to play an instrument that I can work with over the long run.

I could really use some wisdom.

Thanks.

 

[Ed Rafalko]

ARe you worried about resale? If you are, sell teh thing. If you aren't, put the big frets on it and start loving it again.

 

[lpnv59]

If you really still love it.....

Do the guitar a favor and refret it. Those original frets now have 28 years of wear on them and they were handicapped to begin with. If it was a 50's guitar where you're talking 5 digit values, I probably wouldn't refret unless it was absolutely necessary. I did refret a '64 Firebird 7 once and it didn't have a huge effect on the value when I sold it. I have never met someone who loves to play on those original fretless wonder nonfrets. I think you should support your local guitar repairman and bring it in for a fretjob. :lolspin

 

[George]

I agree. Its hard to find a guitar that you really like. If you like everything about this guitar except the frets, change the frets.
You could always restore it to its "fretless wonder" original condition. Good luck!

 

[Cogswell]

Refret. 6105s. You'll love 'em. If I was buying a '74 Custom I'd PREFER it refretted.

 

[Cholo]

Thanks guys...you've talked me into it. Gotta save some $ for a refret!

 

[JDPS150]

I've been thinking about real frets for my 85 custom too.
& understand what you're saying.
If you get it done anytime soon keep us posted.

 

[Scott_F]

you're lucky to have a 74 LP. refret it and play it for another 28 years.

 

[Mitchell]

REFRET

REFRET-REFRET-REFRET

 

[Greystoke]

Another vote for refret. I have an '82 Custom with alot of sentimental value that I had mostly stopped playing a couple years ago. I refretted it last year and now really love to pick it up again.

Greystoke

 

[Fandango]

Changing fret is not a hard job for a pro ! and it's not very expensive.

If you like your LPC, make it !

 

[Zhangliqun]

No controversy here -- definitely put me in the refret camp.

 

[Burstboy]

Re: If you really still love it.....

[

Do the guitar a favor and refret it. Those original frets now have 28 years of wear on them and they were handicapped to begin with. If it was a 50's guitar where you're talking 5 digit values, I probably wouldn't refret unless it was absolutely necessary. I did refret a '64 Firebird 7 once and it didn't have a huge effect on the value when I sold it. I have never met someone who loves to play on those original fretless wonder nonfrets. I think you should support your local guitar repairman and bring it in for a fretjob. :lolspin

I agree with Ed and Billy...if it is done right, it should not take too much off it's value...couple hundred of bucks? Who knows. It should be a HUGE improvement, and it might be worth more if you do sell it since it will probably play a lot better.

Like Ed said. If you love it, refret it and keep it. If you want to make some cash, dump it.

 

[Burstboy]

I have a MINTY white '74 20th Anniversary Custom which I love. I bought it from the original owner who lived in Kalamazoo. He was a studio jazz player in the 70's and put it away for good in 1980 and never touched it. He just quit playing. I will refret it when it needs it...I hope that makes my point.

 

[lpnv59]

Les Paul Customs needed to be refretted right off the rack IMO. RCoggin I agree, if I was looking at LPC's, I'd prefer it refretted with big frets.

 

[LesPauloholic]

If you love the guitar, refret it.... if you don't love it, sell it and find one you do.

 

[Doug H]

I had my '75 Dlx refretted last year, and never looked back. KILLER playability. When it's time to refret my '76 Custom (soon), I'm going for it.