Tech: replacing a fretboard

Subject: Tech: Replacing A Fretboard
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 04:51 PM

Greetings!

I have a Montoya dreadnaught that I have played for over 25 years now and the fretboard has developed some serious ruts.
I'd like to have the fretboard replaced as the guitar has beautiful tone and I'm sentimental about it as it is my first guitar.

There are very few places in the DC area that can manage replacement and I'd like to get a sense of the cost involved so I can be sensible about it.

Your information and opinions would be greatfully accepted.

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: Peace
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 05:21 PM

Try asking at

info (at) guitaror.ca

They are in Calgary, but they'd give you an idea of what cost SHOULD be. Also ask at

info (at) myhresmusic.com

They are in Edmonton and they too would give you an idea. (I have dealt with them on a few occasions. They know guitars.

Good luck to you, CC.

Bruce

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: EBarnacle
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 07:36 PM

Try Pietro Diero. I have seen them resurrect disasters back to professional instruments.

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: Escapee
Date: 24 Jun 08 - 11:08 PM

I'm almost sure that a pal of mine had that done The Heritage Guitar factory in Kalamazoo.

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 12:09 AM

The fret board may need to be leveled and not replaced. Some neck mechanics replace only a portion of the board. In any case this is a pricey job. Figure a couple hundred dollars just for the re-fret job.
Then add the labor(labour for you Brits) and materials for the new finger board. Is the old Montoya worth that kind of expense? Sentiment and the perfect fit may say yes for you, no to some others.

Good luck but have a pro look it over.

Don

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: GUEST,Chief Chaos
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 03:38 PM

Thanks for the info everyone.
I don't think anyone would call it a "professional instrument" but I seem to have lucked into a cheap Korean made that puts many lower end American brands to shame. I didn't know it at the time, I only had $80.00 (1982)and it's what I could afford. I have played against Fenders, Yamahas and Martins and mine always got compliments from the other artists (some offered to trade for theirs).
At a couple hundred I might just have to retire the old girl, It's not really that much but at the same time I've never really spent much money on myself. I'll have to think about it.

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: GUEST,DonMeixner
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 04:03 PM

Hi Chief,

Get it estimated. Less may be needed than you suspect. I have a Yamaha 180 from 1970 or so that I would spend a large bill on to take care of the problems it has. It was my first guitar and I has such a soul as to need to be heard by more than me.

Don

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 06:31 PM

"but at the same time I've never really spent much money on myself"

Ah no - you are spending it NOT on YOURSELF, but on a an instrument that is deemed (by more than just YOU) worthy to outlast YOU.

:-)

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: Bert
Date: 25 Jun 08 - 11:13 PM

A little woodfiller maybe?

Subject: RE: Tech: replacing a fretboard
From: Grab
Date: 26 Jun 08 - 09:31 AM

Is the problem really the fretboard? Strings often don't actually contact the fretboard unless the frets are very low, so maybe the real problem is that your frets are worn down. A refret won't fix the existing wear on the fretboard, but the fretboard wear will likely only be superficial and not actually affect playing.

My first classical and my first steel-string both need the same job doing to them - cheap instruments, so they probably had low-grade fret wire, and the amount of playing I did on them plain wore the metal down. Neither is worth the money to get someone else to do it, so I figure I'll do it myself and learn how. If it all goes pear-shaped, I'll have damaged an instrument which has some sentimental value but little financial value; and if it goes OK, I'll then have the skills to do the same job on my more expensive instruments if/when it needs doing. Just need to find the time to do it!

Graham.