1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Exceptional restoration is in the details

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godber
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1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Post by godber »

Paul - I tried this query on the bass section and was pointed in your direction.
viewtopic.php?f=2&t=395045

Could you recommend a near match for the original fret wire for a 1978 4000 bass. It has massively wide & flat non-original frets at the moment which play OK, but feel like a "semi-pro" job on a few of edges.

Image

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Is there anything here close?
http://www.tonetechluthiersupplies.co.u ... ?TreeId=31

http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/ttwp9.html

http://www.allparts.uk.com/online-shop/ ... 1_129.html

The only thing I've got to compare it to is a 4001C64, which has very different, very skinny frets. I'm not looking to attempt DIY (although I would like to learn how to do it and refinish the board!), I'm just looking to be "informed" when I take it in to be done.

Many thanks, Mark.

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godber
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Re: 1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Post by godber »

HELP!
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jingle_jangle
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Re: 1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Post by jingle_jangle »

Thanks for the bump, Mark. I don't often miss a request...

OK, somebody has refretted your 4000 with jumbo wire. This was a comfort zone thing for a previous owner, I'd imagine.

A match for what you've got (non-original) is Stew Mac #0154.

A close match for both guitars and basses from Rickenbacker is Stew Mac #0148 or #0155.
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godber
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Re: 1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Post by godber »

Hey, smashing info, thanks Paul. :D
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scott_s
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Re: 1978 4000 bass in need of a "proper" re-fret

Post by scott_s »

jingle_jangle wrote:Thanks for the bump, Mark. I don't often miss a request...

OK, somebody has refretted your 4000 with jumbo wire. This was a comfort zone thing for a previous owner, I'd imagine.

A match for what you've got (non-original) is Stew Mac #0154.

A close match for both guitars and basses from Rickenbacker is Stew Mac #0148 or #0155.
Hey Paul,
Slightly OT, but I've used #155 wire on a Strat where I was going for the tall-fret, can't-feel-the-fretboard bendy thing... what are your impressions of using it on a Rick? Does it completely ruin the traditional feel?

I'm considering it for mine, partly because I want to get in better habits wrt fretting technique/pressure, and partly so I won't need to refret it again for a long time. :D

Thanks!
- Scott

P.S. If you have any pics of completed jobs with #155 wire, that'd be sweet, too. :mrgreen:
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