Fret replacement sizing

[monte65]

I'm new to what seems to be a nicely moderated forum with a minimal level of the extraneous "stuff" found elsewhere and I come hat in hand looking for wisdom.  I have come to guitars rather late in life, and readily confess that I will never be much of a player, but I find I am completely in love with the instruments themselves.  As many rookie consumers, I cycled through a lot of guitars (and thus $$) before starting to get an understanding of them.  In doing so I spent some time looking over luthier's shoulders (while they were correcting my poor evaluations) and becoming very interested in what they were doing.  After doing a lot of homework, buying a library, and messing with a low end trasher, I'm ready to try to rescue a "beginner" OM-01 Larrivee.  It seems these may have been a 1 shot production? with Larrivee, made with average solid tone woods top and back and probably laminate sides (interestingly mine has a section of black wood, maybe ebony? inside the top upper bout).  The guitar is in fair enough condition and sounds sweet, but the first 6 frets-maybe 8 are seriously worn.  I want to attempt to replace these myself, I think I have the skill if I'm careful and patient and I am gathering the tools.  My question, finally, concerns fret size and availability.  They are certainly on the large size, but is the material a "standard" and readily attainable size or does Larrivee use a propritery material that shops only approximate?  I suspect this will go a lot easier if I don't have to make something fit.  Thanks,
Monte

[ffinke]

Monte,
Welcome to the forum. For the purchase of the vast amount of knowledge available you will need to deposit a minimum of 6 donuts in the next post.



Seriously, there are some really good techs available on this forum who will help you (I'm NOT one). Welcome to the forum and I hope you enjoy your time here.

f

[unclrob]

Hey there first the mystert black patch on the inside upper bout is  there for the purpose of reading your mind and your guitar spending habits....just kidding.This was installed so if electronics were installed the screws would have more support.As for the frets size I'm not really sure what they are.BUT I would say that since you have been looking over the shoulders of some luthiers ask them if all you needs is a re-leveling and crowning.I've been doing repairs and service for a really long time and have found in most case's a proper leveling and crowning will do the job you need.You may want to email Larrivee as to the frets size they used then and what they may be using now.

[monte65]

Unclrob,
I just had an "of course" moment reading your explanation for the black patch.  No electronics on anything I have.  The fret wear for both B and E strings is about 65 percent and it would take a lot of leveling to get past the grooves.  Besides, I like the Larrivee size frets and would hate to turn them into Martin frets.  I think I will just go ahead and pull a fret and mic it for size specs, and then shop for the closest material I can find.  Assuming I wont be able to find the perfect match, should I go for just under or just over the thickness of the bar that goes into the slots.  As for donuts, my wife teaches diatetics at a local college so she persuaded me to swear off, but my daughter just made some great Key Lime squares, and I am always willing to serve a friend a quality microbrew
Thanks,
Monte

[unclrob]

Before you pull it email Larrivee I'm sure they can tell you the right size.Though I never requimend a partial refret as you have to dress down the new frets to the the other one's doing a partial will help keep you close to the feel of the frets you enjoy now.I have dress frets when I had to that much and left plenty of fret for a couple of more dressing after that.If your thinking of a full refret I'd like to suggest the new EVO frets harder then the original nickle/silver but not as hard as stainless steel and standard tools work with the metel nicely.You do need to get use the the brassish colour but I have done 2 refrets with them and was very happy with the results.Though I only do refrets for special clients and not many of them.The old hands aren't what they use to be as I can no longer feel the fret seating due to no real feeling in my thumb and first finger of my left hand and it just doesn't feel right doing them any more.Cr*p sorry I carried on.

I'll donate the donuts for you can't have you in trouble with the better half.

[monte65]

UNCLROB,
Again, thanks for the wisdom and the willingness to share it.  Guys like you have the chops to carry on any time they feel like it.  I'll let you know how it turned out when Im done.  Its too bad you arent close enough to rescue my probable questionable work with a masterful setup.  And I'll spring for my own donuts this time!!!

Monte

[unclrob]

Cool bud just didn't want the better half giving you that "what do you think your doing" look.I think its great when guys want to learn how do things on there guitars,it makes its easier for us as repairpeople knowing that the player my not have the skills just yet but can tell us whats going on.I don't mean that statement as a put down in anyway I know for myself that there are time's that I have to explain what is involved in a repair that someone who hasn't spent the time educating themselve's wants to run sceaming into the street.You have the advantage of having skilled people that you can go to and get opinions and hopefully some direction.As I told someone today go slow,if you brain is saying stop do follow that instruction and never be afraid to ask for help or direction.Good luck on your travels into the insanity of the world of guitar tech.

[Zohn]

I'm new to what seems to be a nicely moderated forum with a minimal level of the extraneous "stuff" found elsewhere and I come hat in hand looking for wisdom.  Monte

H Monte and  
Some of us have our "moments" but it is all in good spirit.    Our mods certainly are great and actively involved themselves with this universal passion of ours and keeping things civil.
As you might have noticed the Uncle has a wealth of related exprience with good advice and you're in good hands there - a word of caution - he has a belt sander... 
There are some builders and dealers around here too, offering repair services and advice freely.