Refret. Cost guess? Nut required? Realistic Do it Myself?

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

I've got a 1973 solid body Ovation Deacon which has some irregular frets. Probably a few have been replaced recently, and likely they have been leveled once or twice in the distant past. One option is to level them myself, which I've done on other guitars and am not afraid of. But the frets are kinda low and I'd be happy to go to medium frets.

I'm pretty handy with tools and detailed work. I'd be willing to take on a refret job if it makes sense. I've done nuts, saddles, and tons of non-guitar projects.

So, what is a reasonable range to expect to pay a good local luthier to refret it? It is a 24 fret neck. The fretboard could use a little bit of cosmetic sanding once the frets are removed, it is in ok shape without major divots.

Is a new nut standard as part of a refret? I've done nuts and am happy to do one for this guitar if the existing nut is cut too low after new frets are installed.

Is it rational to believe I could refret this guitar myself and have great looking results? It is a bound neck, btw. I'm willing to buy good tools.

A couple of the frets have possible super glue showing. Does this suggest a pro needs to look at it? I've heard a soldering iron can loosen super glue. Should I be worried about this project?

[carfish7]

I have had estimates locally and they are all north of $300 for a rosewood fretboard with no binding. It ain't cheap and you want to make sure it is done right.

That said, if you have the patience and some skills, and the right tools, I am reasonably sure you could do it yourself. The tricky stuff is getting the old frets out without taking chunks of the 'board along, and the leveling/crowning of the new. If the nut has been re-cut to accommodate fret wear, you would likely need to cut a new one, or shim the existing.

[BadgerDave]

I took a three day fretting course at Specimen Guitar in Chicago and did one full refret in the process. In my opinion, you can't do a professional job the first time. Fret work is one of those things that takes a lot of practice and experience to do well. It's an art.

I do wiring, set-ups, cut nuts and do basic repairs, but I leave fret work to the professionals.

[bubs_42]

This ^^

[Toadroller]

Then again, if you're handy with tools and detail work, finding a junker neck to experiment and learn on is easy. I started with fret leveling and worked my way up to a refret on a cheapie and then new frets on a home build.

Would I do it on my most treasured guitars? Not yet. But with 4-5 behind me and more of the right tools, I would.

And for the second time today on the HFC, I'll reference this incredible series for research:

[DaveH]

I took a three day fretting course at Specimen Guitar in Chicago and did one full refret in the process. In my opinion, you can't do a professional job the first time. Fret work is one of those things that takes a lot of practice and experience to do well. It's an art.

I do wiring, set-ups, cut nuts and do basic repairs, but I leave fret work to the professionals.

This is good council. If you want to re-fret, get a couple of old beaters and practice on them before attempting it for real on an important guitar. I would also add that you will easily spend $300 on necessary tools and supplies. Of course, that is just an investment if you plan to keep doing it.

[murkat]

200 to 300 ish, depends on the guitar, neck, what needs to be done.

Hand cut, slotted nut adds to it.

[Uncle Thor's Hamer]

Sounds like a big learning curve at first. And not like a nut where a screwup only costs the price of a new blank.

Jay, thanks for the data point. If I can get some overnights in Nashville during March I'll bring it to you without hesitation.

[ARM OF HAMER]

Take it to someone who has a lot experience with such things as it will save you time and $$$ in the end. It will be done right and will make your guitar play and sound [And look] so much better.The reason people like Jay do this work is because its NOT something a novice should attempt.The fretboard is literally your "Playground" so you want to make sure its a great place to hang out on.