1976 X-500 with short frets

[Longnose Gar]

I acquired this guitar about six months ago. The frets are noticeably shorter/lower than my other guitars. I don't know how short because measuring that is kind of hard and I don't want to take the strings off. Is it likely that the frets were sanded down, or did these models come with short frets? The guitar is completely playable, and I can see why someone may prefer the shorter frets. I may want to sell the guitar, and I want to represent it accurately. Thanks!

 

[nmiller]

'70s X-500s had wide but not very tall frets. They weren't originally super low, but it's entirely possible that they've been filed down over the years.

 

[geoguy]

Post a photo or two, and folks can give you more-accurate advice.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Here's a profile pic. Thanks in advance for any theories on the fret height.

 

[Stefan Eff]

For sure 1-2 fret dressings over the years...

 

[GAD]

The frets on the late-70s Guild electrics I've had have all been low and wide (.04"x.105") but those look like they have no crown at all.

 

[AcornHouse]

They have been leveled a couple of times and are due for new ones.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Thanks everyone!

 

[Nuuska]

Long/short - across the fretboard
Wide/narrow - direction of the strings
High/low - off the fretboard

 

[Nuuska]

If the action is fine and it is easy to play - you could say that the frets are LOW

 

[dreadnut]

Hi Gar; looks like a good candidate for a refret. My '76 D25M has been refretted twice, and recently levelled.

Just curious, what is your serial number? In 76 they ran sequential serial numbers regardless of the model. Mine is 146147

 

[Longnose Gar]

Just curious, what is your serial number? In 76 they ran sequential serial numbers regardless of the model. Mine is 146147

Hi Dreadnut, my serial number is 137191. It's a blonde. I wanted a sunburst, but this was the one that wasn't priced ridiculously high at the time. Maybe it was the frets.....

 

[dreadnut]

Thanks, sounds like yours was earlier in the year and mine was later.

Well it's certainly worth the investment in new frets.

 

[Longnose Gar]

Well, I bit the bullet and had this guitar re-fretted. It plays and sounds like a different guitar. Now I see what all the fuss is about with these '70's HB-1s. I'm amazed what a difference a fret job can make. Sharing in case anyone else is pondering a re-fret.

 

[The Guilds of Grot]

Thanks for getting back to us. Always nice to hear a successful follow-up story!

 

[Jeff Haddad]

So, is it a keeper now?

 

[HeyMikey]

+1 on the re-fret or even just some really good professional set up work. Sometimes a little fret leveling, sting height and intonation adjustment and make a difficult guitar sing. I wonder how many great guitars get sold that just need a little maintenance to bring them back to life.

 

[Longnose Gar]

It's a keeper. I was on the verge of selling it, but didn't feel good selling it with the low frets. I actually had it professionally set up previously. The fret job made all the difference. I had them match the fret shape on my L-5, which is my favorite. So much of the tone of a guitar is how you play it, and now it plays how I want.

 

[walrus]

Great to hear! Enjoy it!

walrus

 

[SFIV1967]

Could you maybe post a similar picture like in post #4 to see a "Before" "After" ?

Ralf