New frets

[jeberhardt3]

I am a TOTAL beginner. I purchased a Fender FM-52E at a garage sale for $25. The first 6-8 frets are badly worn (string grooves). I don't have any idea what re-fretting would cost. Since this is a very inexpensive mando ($200? new), do you think it would be worth having the work done? Any estimates on re-fretting costs would be appreciated.

[EdSherry]

You should look into dressing the existing frets first. Much less expensive than a new fret job.

[jeberhardt3]

Several of the grooves are quite deep, they may be well beyond dressing. Any guess on re-fretting costs?

[Dick Hutchings]

Whoever owned it must have enjoyed it to wear out the frets like that. Might be worth finding some newbie luthier nearby who might do it cheap for the experience. I pretty sure the pro's charge 150 and up. If you were in my neighbor hood I'd do it for 75.
Newbie

[Big Joe]

More than the value of your mandolin. If it is a 200.00 mandolin it would be better to buy an different one that did not need the work. If it was a better mandolin it would be worth the cost.

[jeberhardt3]

I really appreciate the replys. I will have my nearby luthier look it over, but, it sounds like I should plan to do some mando shopping. Thanks again.

[moku9]

Worn frets = much loved instrument. Hang on to it until you can get a good deal on the dress/refret, then see if you want to trade/sell.

[mythicfish]

I agree with Big Joe.
True, you may have lost $25 on this purchase, but in this case your first loss is your best loss.
Throwing money at it won't make thing better.

Curt

[otterly2k]

unless you want to try doing it yourself... seems to me that if you're already willing to discard the $25 mando, you don't have much to lose in trying.

[jdura]

unless you want to try doing it yourself...

Fretwire is cheap, but the tools you need to refret it aren't. #Take a look at Stewart MacDonald #and check out the stuff you would need. #Nippers to pull the old frets, nippers to undercut the ends of the wire if there is binding on the fretboard, a hammer to set the new frets and various files, etc. to dress the frets. #It's not hard to do, but I bet it would easily run $100 or more to do the job right. However, it might be worth it for the experience.

[Walter Newton]

Here's a (crazy?) thought...there are always people here on the cafe building their own first instruments or contemplating doing the same; and fretwork is a critical part of the process, a good job makes a huge difference in the end result but requires experience - maybe you could find someone willing to practice on your instrument for a low price before taking the hammer to their own "#1"?

[ErikAitch]

Some luthier types will do a partial refret. I'm contemplating exactly that on a new to me Johnson with nasty 4th fret divot. All I need is the cajones.

[F5G WIZ]

Most would not agree but on a cheap instrument I would look into just changing the frets that are worn. You may be surprised how much wear can be dressed out though. Look at that first

[Martin Jonas]

What F5G WIZ said: divots can look enormous even when they aren't actually all that deep. I would be surprised if even with heavy fret wear, the wear goes deeper than a quarter of the original fret height. Dressing may well work.

Martin

[Steve Davis]

Are the frets causing problems playing it? If not, I'd play it as is and save for a better one when you start to get buzzing.

[thistle3585]

Joe, I see you are in Indianapolis. I am in Columbus. Email me and I think I can help you out. I'm new at it, but have fretted a dozen of my own new electrics. I can also hook you up with a couple very capable people locally.

Andrew

[markishandsome]

Worn frets may indicate a "much loved" mando, but it could also indicate low-grade fretwire. My first mando was a kentucky about the same level as your fender. I wore the frets thru to the fingerboard in about a year, not really playing it more than any other instrument i've owned, none of which have ever needed new frets (though some are getting there). I don't actually know if there is such a thing as llow-grade frets mind you, just speculation really. Even with lousy frets it's still probably good enough to learn the basics on.