time for a fret job??

[ricky22]

hey guys, since acquiring my second rick (04 4003) i have not really been able to get the action as great as i would like without massive fret buzz, the problem seems to be massive grooves warn in some of the frets around the 5th. Im not sure if it just needs a fret dress, total refret or fret levelling, i have even thought about pleck!
I live in London and was wondering if any uk members could advise me on where would be a safe place to have the job done, and how much moolah it will set me back.
Cheers
James

[antonius]

James,

My 1975 4001 is currently with Dan MacPherson in Southend (http://www.dm-guitars.co.uk/) for a refret and fretboard levelling and refinish. Basically my frets were badly worn down and the fretboard had some slight warping with humps and dips causing some localised fretbuzzing and playability issues. Although I live up in York I went with Dan all the way down in Essex because he is able to refinish the fretboard in polyurethane rather than nitrocellulose which most luthiers use. I found a post on the Ric forum where John Hall said Dan's work was good too (he did the finishing for a special Ric bass for Chris Squire). That kind of recommendation was good enough for me and I'm looking forward to seeing what he can do with my bass. His estimate of the costs seemed reasonable to me and comparable with one or two other good luthiers I initially contacted. But just getting it done properly by someone who understands Rickenbackers was the most important thing.

I think you'll need to get your bass to one or two luthiers and get their opinion on what the best course of action is and then consider your options. I've learned a lot from the conversations I've had with the luthiers who looked at my bass. Good luck!

[ricky22]

ahhh i see. thats makes sense as to be honest i dont know 'how bad' the frets really are! i hope its only enough for a crowning or leveling, but i guess i might need to go the whole way like you are. Thanks for the advice =p

[scott_s]

I agree with Antony, a pro tech will be able to tell if there's enough fret height to allow for a levelling, or whether you'll need more serious work. Nice thing about bass is that you can let the frets get pretty low before they're a problem, but you can only go so far...

- Scott

[spongebob]

Hi James

Pop down to Kent, and give this place a try -

http://www.simscustom.com/html/home.htm

Martin is a total genius. He's set up and both of my 4003's, and repaired one.

Really trustworthy, and years of experience. He's worked on loads of Rics, so you know it's in safe hands.

If you ring up, make sure you ask for Martin, and tell him that I (Iain) recommended him. Mention my two Ric set-ups (Jetglow and Mapleglow) from a few months back, and that'll remind him. I told him a while back that I would give him a mention on here if anybody needed work in the area.

He recently repaired our guitarists' Les Paul, too. Prices are very good.

No, I'm not related or affiliated in any way!

Let me know if you give him a shout - good luck.

[ricky22]

ahh cool. thanks for the quick responses guys. Hmmm kent sounds like a sweet option, still a bit hard to get to for a 20 year old in london without a car =p

[henry5]

Take it to the Bass Gallery in Camden and let Martin Petersen look at it (tell him Shaun sent you). Any refinishing from Martin goes to Martin Sims anyway but if it just needs a fretjob (either stoning or refret) or fingerboard work Martin's your man; he makes Sei Basses, which are as well-made as they come. He's a fabulous luthier.

Both Dan and Martin are also sound choices of course (ironically I've been talking to both recently about refinishing); if you need to go outside London just take the train; easy as pie.

[Tom Patterson]

My '81 Jetglo is in serious need of re-fret (After 30 years now I've had to park it in that the fret board is beginning to take a beaten at the 3rd & 5th frets), any recommendations (west coast?) on where to send it to have it completed (professionally) re-done frets/finish would be appreciated (Quality then cost). Thanks

Tom

[Tom Patterson]

Not takers on a west cost re-fret Luthier recommendation?

[paologregorio]

Not takers on a west cost re-fret Luthier recommendation?

There are probably a lot of recommendations, but we fellow forum members need to know whether you're referring to the "west coast" of the U.K., or of the U.S. :

If it's the U.S., the state and metropolitan area you live in would be helpful for your fellow forum members to know when recommending a luthier/tech.

[doctorwho]

Not takers on a west cost re-fret Luthier recommendation?

There are probably a lot of recommendations, but we fellow forum members need to know whether you're referring to the "west coast" of the U.K., or of the U.S. :

If it's the U.S., the state and metropolitan area you live in would be helpful for your fellow forum members to know when recommending a luthier/tech.

+1

If you are in California (USA), there are some highly qualified luthiers that can do it right.

[Tom Patterson]

Thanks for the reply,

I'm in Arizona, USA.
My '81 4001 jet glow is very highly "Road worn" what I'm seeing is that a PROFESSIONAL restoration (fret replacement and refinishing) by a RIC specialist is really what is needed to restore this instrument to its former glory (and best value). So my question is geared toward someone recommending a RIC specialist who does (and likes to do) restorations.

Thanks again

[heinpete]

Hi Tom, from my personal experience and from what you can see here in the forum there are two most recommended guys:
Paul W. and Dale F.

[jps]

Hi Tom, from my personal experience and from what you can see here in the forum there are two most recommended guys:
Paul W. and Dale F.

You can add Larry D. to that shortlist.