Fret pulling

[Dillon]

Ok, so admittedly this is not for a Mosrite, but I figured this would be the best section. I'm trying to do my first refret...the guinea pig is my first guitar, a squier strat, which has been played so much over the years that there's no hope of crowning and leveling the frets. And anyway, this guitar came with a very similar type of fret to Mosrites: low and thin.

Unfortunately I can't seem to even get past the first step They are glued in, so I'm heating them up with a soldering iron. That doesn't help much though, because the frets are so flattened that there's almost nothing left to grab onto. I'm using a pair of DIY pullers which are basically just pincers with the end ground flat. Any advice?

[dubtrub]

Once the fret is heated, starting at the end, slip a thin bladed knife under the fret and gently work it upward. Once you have one section loose enough to raise then use your modified fret pliers to work it all the way out. Work across the length of the fret and do not try to pull it out all at once.

[TerryTNM]

You might have to regrind the face of your nippers so the cutting edge on the jaws protrudes a bit to get a better bite. Just flat might not get it. -Terry

. . . and what Danny said too!

[woodchuck30]

Yup,there right, thats the only way they'll come out, sounds like about two weeks work to me. Good luck Dillon.

[Sarah93003]

A similar thing happened to me as I was trying to catch this rabbit who had invaded our garden. During the chase I somehow slipped and pulled a fret. I found the best treatment was alternating cold packs and hot compresses with a shot of Jim Beam between each exchange. I hope that helps.