Rickresource Rickenbacker Forum

My MG 4001V63 will need some fret work done at some point in time. Hopefully not too soon, since I alternate with my C64 and my Jazz Bass. My question is the guy who does these things for me says that the issue in filing the frets on this particular bass, is the heavy finish coat that's on the board and the frets, and risking damaging the finish and forcing a respray. Is there a way to make this less of an issue? And could the finish be removed from the fretboard only, and not the entire neck without ruining the bass, if a refret was ever needed. I don't ever plan on selling it since I've got a lot of touring memories with it. I just want to know what I would be up against before doing anything.

The C64 BTW, does not have anywhere near the heavy finish on the fretboard that the V63 has.

I don't have a lot of in depth repair knowledge as you can tell. I play them.... don't know much about fixing them. Any information would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

Randy, if you look the finish is not on the frets, just up to them a bit. Why wouldn't your guy tape off the area between frets to file the frets??

The finish is actually all built up all along the sides and the tops of the frets. It may have been sprayed over what was first done at the factory. It's on there pretty thick. Since I got it used, there's no way to know for sure. On the other RIC's(4001/4003/C64) I have owned, this never has (or would be) an issue since the finish hasn't been as heavy. The first 6 frets are getting worn, and of course if they are filed, the rest must be too.

I've asked if it could just not be taped up and done. He told me it could, but there would still be a chance of finish damage. I would have had it done long ago, but for that reason. He's done excellent work for me in the past, so I've no reason to doubt him.

For finished fingerboards with the finish coming over the sides of the frets I would carefully score the finish along each fret first. I would then use a soldering gun to apply heat to each fret as it is being removed. This works to soften the finish to lessen the possibility of chipping and/or lifting. As long as the new frets are the same size as the original ones they will fit nicely in the same area between the finish edges. For filing and polishing the frets it will be necessary to tape off the finish between the frets. This has always worked for me.



Jim

if the whole bass is being refretted, and the finish chips off the fretboard surface , some light sanding will smooth it out enough that some finish can remain as a base for a new coat after refret. the binding at the sides of the removed fret will be scraped or filed down to be in the same plane of the fretboard (like the fretless). then as the new fret is pressed in the ends will extend over the binding and filed smooth so there is no snagging or sharp edges. if there is any problems with the fretboard being untrue, it will have to be planed, thus the finish will have to be removed anyway. you can have it re-laquered or oil it. the frets will be taped off and filed after laquering. this wont affect the finish on the sides or rear of the neck, (if done carefully).

Good. Thanks guys. I just wanted to be sure that taping up the fretboard would be enough to protect the finish and not mess it up. The frets just need to be filed, not removed just yet. There's still plenty of fret left there still. I just have to set the action slightly higher than normal to prevent buzzing in that area that is worn.