A now classic 1983 SG that needed refretting. It was an interesting job. One, because it is an SG and two, because of it’s age. I thought I would post the highlights of the job so that those of you with older SG’s and Les Pauls can see how it’s done and not be fearful. Every electric I do is done with stainless steel fret wire and this is no exception. If you have doubts about this wire you should try it or talk to someone who has it. I have never met anyone that did not like it. Once you go stainless you never go back!
Classic 83 SG
Classic 83 SG
Back in the day Gibson put plastic nuts on these guitars.
Back in the day Gibson put plastic nuts on these guitars.
You can see cracks in the binding. This was caused by the neck expanding and contracting over the years but the frets wouldn't budge so when it contracted the frets would push against the binding cracking it eventually.
You can see cracks in the binding. This was caused by the neck expanding and contracting over the years but the frets wouldn't budge so when it contracted the frets would push against the binding cracking it eventually.
Oddly the glue holding the inlay in has oozed out over the years.
Oddly the glue holding the inlay in has oozed out over the years.
Original control cavity. It's original and very clean. Notice the ceramic caps.
Original control cavity. It's original and very clean. Notice the ceramic caps.
The fingerboard and slots are pretty nasty from years of playing.
The fingerboard and slots are pretty nasty from years of playing.
Removing the frets. The dark area is water used to help steam out the frets on this guitar when removing.
Removing the frets. The dark area is water used to help steam out the frets on this guitar when removing.
Fret nibs on the binding. These are sanded off with a radius block. The new frets will run to the edge of the binding providing a little more real estate.
Fret nibs on the binding. These are sanded off with a radius block. The new frets will run to the edge of the binding providing a little more real estate.
Sanded the fretboard to a 12 inch radius. The dark area at the first fret indicates compression in that area. It is not deep enough to fill and it would remove too much wood to sand out.
Sanded the fretboard to a 12 inch radius. The dark area at the first fret indicates compression in that area. It is not deep enough to fill and it would remove too much wood to sand out.
Another view of the sanded fretboard and dark areas of heavy playing.
Another view of the sanded fretboard and dark areas of heavy playing.
The rose wood was so dry there was moderate chipping when the frets were removed. It was later filled in with dust and cyanoacrylate.
The rose wood was so dry there was moderate chipping when the frets were removed. It was later filled in with dust and cyanoacrylate.
Tapping frets after pressing. This one is so solid they went in great.
Tapping frets after pressing. This one is so solid they went in great.
Filing fret ends.
Filing fret ends.
It's done! Beautiful stainless frets. Everybody loves these once they play them. I have never met anyone who did not like these on an electric.
It's done! Beautiful stainless frets. Everybody loves these once they play them. I have never met anyone who did not like these on an electric.
