I'm Impressed!

[GuitarDoc]

Top L recently did a survey about leveling your own frets. Not many responded, but 75% of those who did said they do their own levelling. That's way more than I expected.
Great work guys!
I'm impressed at how many people (at least on this forum) who do so much of their own guitar work...fret work, body routing, rewiring, painting/refinishing, pup magnet swaps, and hybridding, etc.
It's ok if you don't have the time, the inclination, skill, or desire to do any or all of it. Nothing wrong with those who keep me working. But it's great to see so many that are at least WILLING to try to do some basic and even some very complicated technical stuff.
Kudos.
(Now, if only I could learn to fix my amp)!

[ErikH]

I guess I can say the only thing I haven't done is an entire refret. I don't have the tools to do a refret and haven't had to have any refretted anyway.

[GuitarStv]

I guess I can say the only thing I haven't done is an entire refret. I don't have the tools to do a refret and haven't had to have any refretted anyway.

Re-fretting isn't too bad. Next time I do it though, I want to have a way to press the frets in rather to seat them than trying to hammer them . . . you can do it with a hammer, but I found it a lot more finicky that I'd like. Most of the rest of the procedure was pretty straight forward though.

[ErikH]

Re-fretting isn't too bad. Next time I do it though, I want to have a way to press the frets in rather to seat them than trying to hammer them . . . you can do it with a hammer, but I found it a lot more finicky that I'd like. Most of the rest of the procedure was pretty straight forward though.

I would most definitely use a press for the initial seating and a small hammer for any fine adjustments post seating before leveling/crowning/polishing.

[Mincer]

I think this forum attracts people who like to dig in the dirt a little. I know my own limitations, so I know what I can handle and what I am not comfortable with. But short of being around who does that sort of work, I like to learn about the process from everyone here.

[Napthol]

But where do you go to learn how to level? Or do you just watch a YouTube video? Seems to me you better have a couple of spare necks to practice on. I can change pickups, change pots, replace switches, replace strings, do intonation etc.

But I never learned how to level.

[solspirit]

But where do you go to learn how to level? Or do you just watch a YouTube video? Seems to me you better have a couple of spare necks to practice on. I can change pickups, change pots, replace switches, replace strings, do intonation etc.

But I never learned how to level.

Patience is all it takes.

[Top-L]

But where do you go to learn how to level? Or do you just watch a YouTube video? Seems to me you better have a couple of spare necks to practice on. I can change pickups, change pots, replace switches, replace strings, do intonation etc.

But I never learned how to level.

Youtube videos. Then you have to buy a good quality steel level. That is probably the most important thing. And a set of diamond files (cheap on ebay). A roll of adhesive paper. And various grades of polishing pads/paper. Masking tape. You have to devise a neck jig or some way to hold the neck steady so it doesn't flex.

Based on the questions you have been asking about the truss rod, I would recommend you wait a few years before you attempt a level. You need to understand the neck better.

[GuitarDoc]

Youtube videos.

But be careful. There's lots of misinformation on youtube.

Then you have to buy a good quality steel level.

Or, perhaps, extruded aluminum?

You have to devise a neck jig or some way to hold the neck steady so it doesn't flex.

You don't need to worry about the neck flexing if you use gentle pressure (which you should...no need to be a bull in a china shop). Plus, you should use one of these instead of a "level":

https://www.philadelphialuthiertools.com/luthier-tools/misc-tools/sanding-beam/aluminum-radius-sanding-beam-20-5-520mm-length/

Based on the questions you have been asking about the truss rod, I would recommend you wait a few years before you attempt a level. You need to understand the neck better.

You don't have to wait to start learning.
Yes, do the research and learn all you can about the neck, then start practicing leveling tomorrow.

[larryguitar]

Or buy that Erlewine book (or others he has for more advanced work) and learn how to do it from an authoritative source.

Larry

[Mincer]

There is always Dan's DVD series.

[NegativeEase]

I found leveling pretty easy and enjoyable.

[Top-L]

I found leveling pretty easy and enjoyable.

Leveling is the fun part. Crowning is the "is it over yet" part.

[larryguitar]

Leveling is the fun part. Crowning is the "is it over yet" part.

Not only that, but it's the clearly visible part that will show if you knew what you were doing. MUCH tougher than leveling as well.

Larry

[Top-L]

Not only that, but it's the clearly visible part that will show if you knew what you were doing. MUCH tougher than leveling as well.

Larry

I could never do it for a living. It takes as long as it takes. If I was working on a clock I would lose my mind.