Worn out neck

[YnJ]

Hi!

 

I've got an 1988 model Fender HM Strat with a very worn neck. The frets needs replacing, but I'm not sure what to do with the fretboard. It looks like whatever it was coverered with has been worn off. Do I need to sand it down and oil or lacquer it or something?

 

 

Edited August 12, 2023 by YnJ

[Crusoe]

Check out Louie Shelton's fretboard?.

 

 

[ezbass]

  On 12/08/2023 at 01:30, YnJ said:

Hi!

 

I've got an 1988 model Fender HM Strat with a very worn neck. The frets needs replacing, but I'm not sure what to do with the fretboard. It looks like whatever it was coverered with has been worn off. Do I need to sand it down and oil or lacquer it or something?

 

 

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That’s mojo right there, I’d leave it. YMMV.

[YnJ]

It was the only proper guitar I had for a while, so it has been used a lot. I got it brand new, and I still used it a lot after I got my other HM Strat as well. So, I should just leave the fretboard as it is? It really needs new frets though

[Dad3353]

  On 12/08/2023 at 01:30, YnJ said:

... I've got an 1988 model Fender HM Strat with a very worn neck...

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I'm assuming from reading your post that you're not going to try re-fretting yourself (a wise decision, I'd say...). You don't give your location, but there must be a reputable guitar technician somewhere close enough. Show him/her the guitar, and they will advise as to the best course of action, probably with several options, depending on budget and result requested. It may just need a fret dressing, or it could be a complete 'good as new' job; you decide on what seems the best choice for yourself, guided by competent professionals. Good luck with it; let us know how it goes, please..? 

[YnJ]

I'll have to admit I thought about refretting it myself. I've never done it, the internet says it really easy though

 

There are a couple of music stores around here with their own workshop, I'll guess I have one of them send it in for refretting. I was thinking about having the original frets replaced with slightly larger frets, is that a good idea?

[Dad3353]

  On 12/08/2023 at 12:41, YnJ said:

I'll have to admit I thought about refretting it myself. I've never done it, the internet says it really easy though

 

There are a couple of music stores around here with their own workshop, I'll guess I have one of them send it in for refretting. I was thinking about having the original frets replaced with slightly larger frets, is that a good idea?

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Yes, re-fretting is easy, for experienced guitar technicians..! It can be done 'at home', but results can be disappointing, especially if one doesn't have adequate tools for the job. Best done, for the first (and second, and third..!) time on a neck with no particular value.
What would 'slightly larger' frets bring to the party..? If it played well before, have the same fitted, and it will play well again. Remember the old adage : 'If it ain't busted, don't fix it.' 

[YnJ]

  On 12/08/2023 at 12:54, Dad3353 said:

What would 'slightly larger' frets bring to the party..? If it played well before, have the same fitted, and it will play well again. Remember the old adage : 'If it ain't busted, don't fix it.' 

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My other HM Strat has larger frets, and I find it more to my liking in that regard

[Dad3353]

  On 12/08/2023 at 12:58, YnJ said:

My other HM Strat has larger frets, and I find it more to my liking in that regard

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Take both to your luthier, then, so that he/she can see what you're after. 

[EdwardMarlowe]

I would also seek the luthier's advice on the fretboard. Of course you could have it refinished,though personally I would prefer to keep the wear. With the finish worn off, I would lookat some sort of oil on thosebits,though, just to keep it protected. 

[YnJ]

Thanks! I don't mind the wear as long as it's not affecting the guitar, what sort of oil should I use?

[EdwardMarlowe]

  On 13/08/2023 at 19:32, YnJ said:

Thanks! I don't mind the wear as long as it's not affecting the guitar, what sort of oil should I use?

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Anyone here who's ever own a guitar with an entirely unfinished maple neck would be great to chime in for what they use. For the sort of thing you have, I'd probably just try a bit of lemon oil (guitar lemon oil - Jim Dunlop and all the big guitar care brands will sell it - it's not from juiced lemons, they'll just make your fretboard sticky!) once or twice a year. 

[Dad3353]

  On 14/08/2023 at 09:25, EdwardMarlowe said:

Anyone here who's ever own a guitar with an entirely unfinished maple neck would be great to chime in for what they use. For the sort of thing you have, I'd probably just try a bit of lemon oil (guitar lemon oil - Jim Dunlop and all the big guitar care brands will sell it - it's not from juiced lemons, they'll just make your fretboard sticky!) once or twice a year. 

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I've never used, or even been tempted to use, oil of any kind on any of my guitars or basses. I do clean them upon acquisition and after heavy use, using a very tiny amount of Dr Duck (I have had the same bottle for a couple of decades now, and it's still over half-full; really only a drop or two at a time, for the whole guitar or bass...)...

 

[YnJ]

I found some BigBend Fret Board Juice I've forgotten I had, I guess I could use that? I used to use something that was almost like a stick on the fretboards of my guitars back when I was most active

[Dad3353]

  On 14/08/2023 at 18:23, YnJ said:

... BigBend Fret Board Juice ...

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'... Contains only 100% highly refined, ultra pure, white mineral oil (petroleum distillates)...' 

Edited August 14, 2023 by Dad3353

[YnJ]

  On 14/08/2023 at 18:56, Dad3353 said:

 

'... Contains only 100% highly refined, ultra pure, white mineral oil (petroleum distillates)...' 

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It's that not good?

[Dad3353]

  On 14/08/2023 at 18:58, YnJ said:

It's that not good?

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Neither good nor bad, if used very, very sparingly. A couple of drops on a soft cloth (old, clean tee-shirt, or kitchen roll..?) and wipe it on, count to three slowly, then wipe it off. Guitars don't need regular oil changes like internal combustion cars and motorbikes. As with many things, less is more. Wipe it on, wipe it off and get back to practising. (Clean hands when playing, and wiping down the strings afterwards, are a Good Thing. That's really all a guitar or bass needs...). 

[Matt P]

if i were in your position i wouldn't put anything on the fretboard, find a reputable local Luthier and take it there for the new frets, (taking the other one along as a reference is a good idea)

 

normally a maple neck is lacquered to protect it (Musicman being the major exception to that rule) the wear is a sign that you've really played it and presumably enjoyed playing it, i would leave it as a badge of honour, people are paying extra to have that kind of wear faked on new instruments.

 

if you give us a general idea of wher you live (rough area is enough eg north London or just the county) then we might be able to suggest someone locally that can be trusted with the re-fret . I certainly can suggest a couple of people local to me in the north east of England.

 

Matt

[YnJ]

I live east of Shetland, Bergen in Norway

Edited August 15, 2023 by YnJ

[Dad3353]

  On 15/08/2023 at 18:19, YnJ said:

I live east of Shetland, Bergen in Norway

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In that case, contact Bergen Backline; they will know who to confide your guitar to. No personal experience of them, but they are reputable, with wide contacts. Worth a visit..? 

[YnJ]

I'm not familiar with them, I'l give them a try though