Fret Repair Fret

1 fret repair

1.1 fret leveling
1.2 fret crowning
1.3 fret dressing
1.4 exposed frets ends

fret repair

fret repair common job performed luthiers , guitar technicians, though necessary fretted instruments. there many factors can contribute fret damage including regular wear, mishandling of instrument, , humidity.

a fret leveling file


fret leveling

regular fret wear causes flat spot on round top of fret. can result in buzzing, poor intonation, , difficult playing. unless damage severe or fret has become short, issue can resolved without replacing frets. generally, frets shorter .030 inches not have enough material remaining , replaced instead of repaired.

fret leveling process sets frets uniform height, ensures minimal fret buzz @ low action. before leveling can occur, neck of instrument checked straightness placing straightedge along neck. leveling frets while neck curved results in uneven frets once neck corrected. on modern guitars , electric basses, necks straightened adjusting truss rod. loosening truss rod corrects neck backbow, while tightening correct neck upbow.

before performing fret work, fingerboard , body of instrument covered low tack tape prevent damage files , other tools. leveling achieved running leveling file or leveling bar lengthwise , down neck. process takes .002 .005 inches of material off frets, bringing them uniform height while creating flat tops on frets.

a triangular crowning file


fret crowning

the flat tops on frets result leveling process removed achieve intonation , comfortable playing. crowning file used remove material sides of fret, creating round shape reduce area of contact between strings , fret. common types of crowning files triangular or concave. top of fret left untouched leaving small flat strip along fret. creates ideal fret shape, while leaving top of fret intact , keeping of frets @ same height.

fret dressing

leveling , crowning leaves frets marred , rough. sandpaper used remove marks , smooth frets. different grades of sandpaper used smoothing process, starting low grade sandpaper between 220 , 400 grit, moving sequentially higher grade sandpaper between 600 , 1000 grit. once frets smooth, polished abrasive pad. grade 0000 steel wool commonly used polishing leaves tiny metal fibers magnetically attracted guitar pickups.

exposed frets ends

dry weather , low humidity causes wood in many instrument necks shrink , contract. because metal frets in instrument not shrink, ends of these frets protrude on each side of neck. avoid uncomfortable playing these ends filed flush neck. file tilted between 20 , 40 degrees match bevel of frets. filing stopped before contacting wood or finish of instrument. once frets flush neck , beveled smoothed , dressed avoid sharp edges. prevent exposed fret ends , other common issues, ideal humidity instruments between 40% , 50% humidity.