Refreting Danelectro necks?
Hello Guys and Gals, this is only my second post on this forum. So I want to first say Hi and thanks for having me. It had been a little bit since I last visited Frets.com, so when I stopped by the other day I was very happy to find this forum!
My question is concerning 50's and 60's Danelectro necks. The ones with the duel steel beam reinforcements. I just received two late 50's Dano's in piece and have been charged with restoring them. Most of work is simple stuff but I'll a little unsure about the necks. Because I have not seen them with strings on, I don't know just what the necks are doing under tension. On top of that the frets have already been pulled so I couldn't string them up with re-fretting first. Both necks have a little forward bow to them. Nothing that couldn't be made flat again tho.
So my questions are would you guys feel OK truing the fretboard and re-fretting before you've had the neck strung up? Would you add a little relief to the fretboard when you true it or assume that string tension will take care of that?
If I'd seen the necks under tension I wouldn't be so worried but that combined with a lack of experience with old Dano necks make me question the best way to go forward. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
My question is concerning 50's and 60's Danelectro necks. The ones with the duel steel beam reinforcements. I just received two late 50's Dano's in piece and have been charged with restoring them. Most of work is simple stuff but I'll a little unsure about the necks. Because I have not seen them with strings on, I don't know just what the necks are doing under tension. On top of that the frets have already been pulled so I couldn't string them up with re-fretting first. Both necks have a little forward bow to them. Nothing that couldn't be made flat again tho.
So my questions are would you guys feel OK truing the fretboard and re-fretting before you've had the neck strung up? Would you add a little relief to the fretboard when you true it or assume that string tension will take care of that?
If I'd seen the necks under tension I wouldn't be so worried but that combined with a lack of experience with old Dano necks make me question the best way to go forward. Any thoughts would be much appreciated.
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Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Christian Johnson on
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All necks are different. Without having it in my hands, it's impossible to give detailed advice on this project. The flex factor is important. Are the necks really stiff, or are they "noodles?" It's important to know, so the right fret wire can be used. My general rule is to plane the fingerboard with the neck as straight as I can get it. If the necks are real loose, consider fretwire with a wide tang to impart some stiffness in the neck. You may get some of the upbow set out of them too. If the necks are solid, try to straighten them up and proceed as usual. If you can't get them straight and they're solid, I'd true them up then refret as usual.
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Permalink Reply by Jason Hilbourne on
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Thanks Christian, that's what I figured. I just need someone to confirm what I was thinking.
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Permalink Reply by thefishinmusician on
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I have found most old Dano necks stay remarkably straight, especially the ones that have two bars for re-enforcement.
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