Jakester Posted September 1, 2018 Share Posted September 1, 2018 I'm looking to have a crack at defretting an old bass of mine. I need some fret pullers as I don't have access to the machinery to grind my own. The Stewmac ones have a good review: https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Fretting/Pullers_nippers_sizing/Fret_Puller.html But there are some on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elmer-Guitar-Fret-Wire-Puller/323213285026 including some that appear identical to the Stewmac ones: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-Bass-Pliers-Fret-Puller-Fret-String-Cutter-Luthier-Scissors-Tool-W0R9/112980533892?hash=item1a4e2a2284:g:E4kAAOSwa0la7LKS Has anyone bought a pair of the eBay ones? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 The Stewmac ones seem to be ground away much more at the the nose. The others look like regular cutters to me, would need to be ground much more. I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 11 hours ago, Jakester said: I'm looking to have a crack at defretting an old bass of mine. I need some fret pullers as I don't have access to the machinery to grind my own. The Stewmac ones have a good review: https://www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Fretting/Pullers_nippers_sizing/Fret_Puller.html But there are some on eBay: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Elmer-Guitar-Fret-Wire-Puller/323213285026 including some that appear identical to the Stewmac ones: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Guitar-Bass-Pliers-Fret-Puller-Fret-String-Cutter-Luthier-Scissors-Tool-W0R9/112980533892?hash=item1a4e2a2284:g:E4kAAOSwa0la7LKS Has anyone bought a pair of the eBay ones? Great close up photos on thst second ebay one! But they are not fret pullers. The pullers need to get under a seated fret both sides, so the jaws are ground down to almost knife sharpness at the ends and a flat, even surface at the fretboard contact point. These are standard string / wire cutters, shown in use in one of the photos. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakester Posted September 2, 2018 Author Share Posted September 2, 2018 Thanks both. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 These are the best ones I've had. https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/fret-cutter-end-nipper.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
songofthewind Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 Hosco is good gear. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 2, 2018 Share Posted September 2, 2018 3 hours ago, Grangur said: These are the best ones I've had. https://tonetechluthiersupplies.co.uk/fret-cutter-end-nipper.html Not sure those are fret pullers @Grangur ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grangur Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 8 hours ago, Andyjr1515 said: Not sure those are fret pullers @Grangur ? They certainly do that job well. As well as nipping the ends of frets. The only word of warning I would add is to not use them for stainless steel frets. SS wrecks the blades. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 3, 2018 Share Posted September 3, 2018 1 hour ago, Grangur said: They certainly do that job well. As well as nipping the ends of frets. The only word of warning I would add is to not use them for stainless steel frets. SS wrecks the blades. Useful to know. I'll try mine next time I need to lift one. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 8, 2018 Share Posted September 8, 2018 I just bought the regular plier type and ground down the jaws. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakester Posted September 10, 2018 Author Share Posted September 10, 2018 (edited) Quote I need some fret pullers as I don't have access to the machinery to grind my own. Edited September 10, 2018 by Jakester 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
yorks5stringer Posted September 10, 2018 Share Posted September 10, 2018 12 hours ago, Jakester said: Yes, I missed that.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hellzero Posted September 11, 2018 Share Posted September 11, 2018 When I had my repair shop, I used this : https://www.amazon.co.uk/Facom-418-MT-Pliers-Microtech-Micro-Tech/dp/B00B1C6CR6 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nash Posted September 16, 2018 Share Posted September 16, 2018 https://crimsonguitars.com/store/fret-puller/ I personally use my fret end cuts for pulling frets as they’re also ground flush. Don’t forget to heat the fret before you pull it out to help minimise tear out. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jakester Posted September 18, 2018 Author Share Posted September 18, 2018 (edited) In the end, I bought a set of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fret-Pullers-Guitar-Tool-Luthier-Tool-Precision-Ground-tool-TF001/180954416883?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Smaller than I anticipated, but they worked perfectly to lift the frets from the neck of my Yamaha RBX. Heated the first couple of frets but it seemed to make no difference - minimal tear out which was pleasing. Edited September 18, 2018 by Jakester Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andyjr1515 Posted September 18, 2018 Share Posted September 18, 2018 1 hour ago, Jakester said: In the end, I bought a set of these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Fret-Pullers-Guitar-Tool-Luthier-Tool-Precision-Ground-tool-TF001/180954416883?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649 Smaller than I anticipated, but they worked perfectly to lift the frets from the neck of my Yamaha RBX. Heated the first couple of frets but it seemed to make no difference - minimal tear out which was pleasing. Sounds like a result Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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