1916 Gibson A4 re-fret

[Plainsman]

I recently acquired a 1915-1916 Gibson A4 from original family that had it stored under a bed for the past 40 or so years since "grandpa passed." The instrument needs some work as there was some damage to the first 2-3 frets and fret board (photo). It appears that someone got into the fret board a bit with a file, presumably trying to dress the frets. Hopefully, the original fretboard can be salvaged. Otherwise this instrument is sound with no cracks or damage. I am looking for advice from anyone that has experience re-freting these older instruments. As mentioned the original fret board and wire has some damage in the first 2-3 fret area and has the older style tiny fret wire. My goal is to have this mandolin as a great player, not so much as a collector original. Discussing this with luthier our original thoughts were for him to try to pull and re-level the first five or so frets and replace frets with original style wire. I am looking for advice/thoughts/tutelage in maybe considering a complete re-fret and changing/upgrading to a heavier, more modern style fret wire to improve playability? Pros and cons? She is on the table under the knife anyway... Your input is appreciated.

[Tobin]

As this is a family heirloom that you want to play (and presumably keep in good strong playing condition for further generations to enjoy), I'd go all-in. New fretboard and modern frets, and a new nut, based on what I see in the photo. Yes, it will lose some of its originality and charm, but it will still have its family history. What it will gain is playability and longevity.

[pops1]

I have a '22 A2 and have replaced the first 5 frets. It is a great mandolin. I would not worry about the fingerboard marks it is not worth replacing the fingerboard for. Replace as many frets as you need and play it. Keep it as original as possible. I have been playing mine withe the 5 new frets for 10-12 years now still works great.

[pfox14]

I think you should remove all the frets and re-level the fingerboard to get rid of those nasty ruts. Then do a fret job with narrow wire and she should e good as new.

[Frank Ford]

Same here - leveling and cleaning up the board, and refretting with the tall, narrow (.040x.039) Jescar wire can make your A-4 play better than new!

[Nevin]

I think that a qualified luthier wih the instrument in hand could probably best advise you. Fret jobs and nut replacments are a part of life for fretted instuments and when don'e right will vastly improve playability. They should not have a negative impact on value. The board may be a different case but I would do what was best for playability.

[Bill Snyder]

Plainsman, I agree with Paul and Frank about leveling the board and a full re-fret.

[Jake Wildwood]

I think you should remove all the frets and re-level the fingerboard to get rid of those nasty ruts. Then do a fret job with narrow wire and she should e good as new.

100% agree. Cost-effective, playability-effective, and better choice overall.

[Jim Garber]

I agree also with those above who say full refresh of the board and full refret with appropriate narrow frets. Personally i do not like to play on wide frets on a mandolin and to me they just wrong on a vintage instrument.

[gda(v)e]

Another vote for full refret and board-leveling. I recently bought a 1914 A3 which had a slight, almost imperceptible bow in the neck and significant fret-wear below the 5th fret. The bow was so slight that I didn't even really notice it until playing around the 10th fret where the intonation started getting funky (bad funky, not James Brown funky). I had the board leveled, full refret, and new nut and now the intonation and playability is near perfect, probably better than when it left Kalamazoo a hundred years ago. It was a bit spendy but I figure it's my contribution to this mandolin on its journey through time. I'm happy I had it done.

[High Lonesome Valley]

As this is a family heirloom that you want to play (and presumably keep in good strong playing condition for further generations to enjoy), I'd go all-in. New fretboard and modern frets, and a new nut, based on what I see in the photo. Yes, it will lose some of its originality and charm, but it will still have its family history. What it will gain is playability and longevity.

Ditto, just keep all the old parts. Repairmen covet old collectible parts and you'll want the fretboard, nut, etc. tagged, bagged and returned to keep with the original mandolin.