Will a refret effect the value of a vintage LP ?

[doublestop]

Experts,

I have a '56 Jr that I love but...I would like to have bigger frets and am considering a refret.

Will this hurt the resale value? At this moment the original frets are on it.

Thanks,

Peter

 

[Rich R]

I'm sure opinions will be severely divided on this one. My opinion is that a PROFESSIONAL refret doesn't hurt value much at all. It certainly doesn't stop ME from considering a guitar for purchase. In the case of the Black Beauties, many of these guitars have been re-fretted to adapt them to contemporary tastes, and it has had a trivial effect on values.

In terms of Bursts, if I was buying a factory larger fret model, I would prefer to have one with the original frets, so long as they are in good shape. The reason is that I have a light touch, and my hand sweat is not particularly corrosive, so I can play an original neck and frets for years without causing significant wear. That's why I like my vintage Strat necks as pristine as possible--I don't wear them out, and they stay original.

In terms of my 58 Burst with the smaller frets, if it ever needs a refret, I would have DE refret it with the 59 frets, and not give it a second thought.

 

[sunburst1]

It depends on alot of factors. Is the Jr. in player or collector cond. ? What do you do with it: play out in a band or only in house use? Bottom line is it's your guitar do what you want to it. As far as killing the value unless it was near mint I wouldn't worry about a refet, yes it dose derease the value , but only 10-15% IMO. You can't play a guitar with shity dented , flat frets.:hippy

 

[DrRobert]

If you're thinking eventual collector value, it really depends on how long you're thinking of keeping it, too. In the short term, there're still good playing 50s Gibsons with original frets, but eventually they're all gonna need refrets unless they're purely case queens. As time goes on I suspect (and Gruhn agrees FWIW) that a refret will have less and less effect on the value of a guitar that's being played, till eventually it won't matter... As to whether you should use vintage correct wire (small in the case of your 56) that might have more of an effect later (wrong wire is an obvious mod) but I suppose if it's a question of thousands of dollars in 20 years time, you could have it refretted for sale with the correct wire. I'd go with what plays well for you (and yes, I did have my 58 Custom refretted with vintage 59 sized wire so that I can play my style on it-course it's a player not a collector for other reasons).

 

[Mike Shaw]

I agree, make it play the way you like. I'm not too sure a refret will drop it's value if it's a top notch job. Of course, if you put huge bass frets on a guitar that is known for small frets, that could turn some people away! As a matter of fact, a lot of people like a little bigger fret on early Gibsons so it could be a plus.

 

[loverocker]

I've never tried selling a vintage guitar, but I'll bet there are at least some non-playing collectors who would pay extra $$$ for a guitar with unplayably worn original frets compared to a perfect refret.

This goes double for any guitar played by someone famous, natch.

But for the rest of the potential market, a refret is OK, and may not harm value at all.

 

[fretwire]

Save the old frets, as I 've been told, it makes a difference to some buyers???

 

[burstin'don]

Definitely affects value...! I would say 10% for whatever guitar .. Also turns off some buyers..If the guitar needs it then do it...Or sell the guitar and buy one with good frets.....But definitely affects price.......

 

[Sunburst79]

Save everything! As long as ats a pro refret it Shouldn't be a big deal.

Given the fact its not bound you could conceivably put the original frets back in. (way to much work)

Save'm for the Anal.

 

[Rich R]

Gruhn's got it right (not unusual)--refrets are part and parcel of a quality instrument's life of making music. Would anyone keep playing the original strings?

 

[professor]

Lemme see... I'm going to buy a 57 Impala... are the brake linings original?

If they ARE, you can bet your ass I won't be driving it anytime soon...! LOL!

What about guitar strings? Do I want to play on originals that have been on a guitar for 46 years...? Ummm... I don't think so.

I cannot imagine that a guitar that was good enough to have actually been "played" for nearly 50 years would have anything remotely resembling decent frets left on it. I have had all of my vintage pieces -- including a '56 Junior, a '56 LG-2, a '41 L-50, a '51 Epi Zephyr Deluxe Regent, and a '53 ES-175 -- refretted with 6105s, so that I can actually enjoy playing them.

As to whether or not they've been "devalued" now, I really can't say. But I CAN say that they're a hell of a lot more valuable to ME, now that they're actuallly playable...!

 

[Shovelhead]

I had an appraisal done on my '54 a few years back. The guy told me that it had replacement pots in it. I replied that the originals are still in the case, but that they didn't work anymore. He told me that I should put them back in, even if they don't work - that it would make the guitar worth more money. I told him that the guitar's NOT for sale, and I plan on playing it for years to come! The guy just could not understand that. The whole time I was there, he kept muttering that I should put the non-working pots back in it...

 

[gmann]

I have a '56 TV Jr. It had small frets when I got it. They were worn completely out. I had it refretted with larger frets and it is now an amazin' guitar. It's a beater anyway but stock except for the frets. George Gruhn doesn't seem to think it is a big deal. I know some guys will always insist on 100% orig. and that's fine for them I think. IMO, ya gotta be able to play it ya know?

 

[AXE752]

A guitar is meant to be played. To be played it's got to be playable. . . . . 'nuff sed.

One man's opinion.


As for the original question of whether value is affected: I think it depends on the buyer--for some yes and for some no, and I think that the no's will become more prevalent as time goes by. The only exceptions to this may be the "museum pieces" that don't get played--not much danger for fret wear on these, though.

 

[burstin'don]

I have a '56 TV Jr. It had small frets when I got it. They were worn completely out. I had it refretted with larger frets and it is now an amazin' guitar. It's a beater anyway but stock except for the frets. George Gruhn doesn't seem to think it is a big deal. I know some guys will always insist on 100% orig. and that's fine for them I think. IMO, ya gotta be able to play it ya know?

Hi Gman I guess Geoge was selling you a guitar. See what his opinion would be if you are selling him a guitar...Like all dealers he has two faces...

 

[585960]

I don't think that a refret, done pro, would hurt a thing. Sure, origiinal frets w/life on them is nice, but would it stop you from buying that certain guitar? I doubt it. And the 10% rule, will soon fade away. Its inevitable that one day, if its going to be played, its going to be refretted.

 

[eddie101]

Lemme see... I'm going to buy a 57 Impala... are the brake linings original?

If they ARE, you can bet your ass I won't be driving it anytime soon...! LOL!

As to whether or not they've been "devalued" now, I really can't say. But I CAN say that they're a hell of a lot more valuable to ME, now that they're actuallly playable...!

As always, good analogy there Prof :lol

Btw, what amp(s) are you using/playing now? Still using Turbo pup?

I don't mean to highjack the thread.

 

[burstone]

Yes, you did! Budda rocks!:lol2

 

[Matt3]

If I was buying one, I would probably TRY to get the price down using any arguement I could. If the guitar has been refretted, then I would probably TRY to get the price down using that as an excuse. I tend to agree that frets are a wear item and need to be replaced from time to time.

I guess I'm just trying to point out that just because a collector says the value has been decreased by a refret, that doesn't make it so. He may be feeding you a line of BS just to get the price down. I would venture a guess that when the collector tries to sell that same guitar, then the refret is no big deal.

Or maybe I'm just a cynic.

Matt

 

[Litcrit]

One good thing about Fenders: you can avoid this whole issue by putting on a NEW REISSUE NECK. Save the original for when you sell it. That's what my vintage playing buddies do. Difference in tone? Slight, but they still get to enjoy their 50's guitars with nice new frets.