Opinion: Would you trust your 7VWH to a luthier?

bridrive55 · #1 05-30-2007, 04:42 PM

First post, guys! My name is Brian, I'm in Madison Wisconsin. Anyways, I have an ebony fretboard JEM7VWH that I've been playing *lots* over the past three years. Fretwear is now at that dreaded point: refret. I wouldn't trust this guitar to anyone but the most skilled of luthiers (guild members), and I found a great one in Minnesota. I brought the guitar to him and he agreed that it needed new frets. He'll also do it for $350 with a setup, all I have to do is bring him the fretwire and 3 sets of strings.
Now I trust this guy, and his work is amazing. He builds fantastic jazz archtops, almost all with ebony. The one thing that I have read is that when the original JEM7VWHs were being made, they often had to refret the scalloped frets because of problems with the inlay during scalloping. I've heard that when removing the frets from the scalloped frets, some of the ebony can tear off.
Ok guys, have any of you refretted a JEM7VWH? Was there ever a problem with removing the frets from the scalloped nether-regions? Should I tell him not to mess with those last few frets? Do you think he'll be able to work with it? Thanks for the advice, boyos!

**jim777** · #2 05-30-2007, 04:58 PM

I've never had to refret a VWH but $350 and you provide the fretwire?! Are you going stainless? That's a VERY high price. Why do you need to provide 3 sets of strings? In NYC, where prices aren't typically low, a pro refret is just under $250, and they throw in the new strings

bridrive55 · #3 05-30-2007, 05:11 PM

The only other luthier I found was closer to me, but wanted $650.

bridrive55 · #4 05-30-2007, 05:13 PM

The three sets of strings are for the setup. He is going to shim the neck as well during the setup. I'm sure he could provide his own strings, but who wants flatwound 14's on their JEM7VWH?

**Ayrton** · #5 05-30-2007, 05:21 PM

$350 would be a bit steep even including the wire and strings, but if that is the only guy close to you that can handle the work...

I would ask these questions before dropping off the guitar.

What happens if the fretboard becomes damaged?

How many scalloped boards has he refretted?

Can you see some of his refrets?

The bottom line is you can get the guitar back and it is better than new, then the $350 may be worth it.

bridrive55 · #6 05-30-2007, 05:24 PM

He has never done any sort of work on a scalloped instrument, but I have seen one of his refrets. He has walkthroughs of a few of the jobs he's done on his website as well. What do you think guys, does this guy look legit?

www.nielsenguitars.com

Dee · #7 05-30-2007, 05:32 PM

With a full setup, it's not an over-the-top price, IMO. If he's good, and he should be for that price, then it's OK. Rich charges $250 for a pro setup, so if he's at Rich's kind of level, you're getting a refret for $100. Not so bad.

**jim777** · #8 05-30-2007, 05:36 PM

For $350 you could likely ship the guitar to nearly any luthier in the States, get the work done, and get the guitar shipped back as well. I think I'd ask for opinions of guys around the country and find the best for your money.

And yeah, he looks legit alright, he just might not be the man for the job.

**elcid** · #9 05-30-2007, 05:42 PM

What are you going to do if you dont trust a luthier? Do it yourself?
Give the Guitar Hospital in Michigan a look. I had them refret and fix a twist in the neck of my 76 LP Custom and I've seen their work on restoring a pre War Martin acoustic. Top notch work all the way

bridrive55 · #10 05-30-2007, 05:50 PM

I'm certain this guy would leave the guitar in great shape... I'm going to bring him the guitar this Friday and we'll see what he says. I have to provide the wire because he doesn't know JEM's (who can blame him), and I have to decide Dunlop vs. Warmoth (same tang size, right?)
Overall this is complicated. I feel like I'm chosing a doctor to perform surgery on my baby daughter.

bridrive55 · #11 05-30-2007, 05:51 PM

BTW, who is Rich?

**jim777** · #12 05-30-2007, 06:00 PM

Rich Harris at IbanezRules, see the swirly banner on the top of the page

jemplayer55 · #13 05-30-2007, 06:00 PM

I'd be willing to drop the $350.00 but I'd be damn if I'd buy the strings too! Gotta remember if he doing a pro setup and his fret dressing and level work is top notch...... plus he stands behind his work! Well you often get what you pay for..... just verify that with some of his clientele. (be sure he uses the correct fret wire)

Oh and verify time-line..... don't just hand it to him without a firm return date.... especially if she's a workhorse in your stable!