Fret Levelling

Re: Fret Levelling

You could, but it does nothing for you that a file and a straightedge wont. But even after the steps in that vid you still need to recrown - to make sure the fret has no awkward flat top which messes up intonation for that note, and then polish the fret so its nice and smooth.
 
Re: Fret Levelling

Oh, ok. Thanks. Want a laugh? A couple years ago when I got the Strat it was the first time I ever touched a guitar, and I knew it had sprouts, so I decided to start with something I thought I could do. . . got my diamond sandpaper nail file out. . . quit real quick, seeing angles and not having discovered YT yet. . . tried intonating it. . . eventually got kicked off strat talk in '17, banned till 11/19 for being stupid. I was never on a forum before either. Made some good friends I still have, but the powers that be decided I was intolerable!! I'll never go back. I call it Chit Talk. They're mean. So I've done a buttload of studying, and besides ya'll, I now know to go see "How to Setup a Strat". Still not the same as personal lesson. Now I have 3 DIFFERENT guitars. Sigh. Masochist. I know a lot of theory, though!! Maybe my tech will give me hand-me-down tools (correct files).
 
Re: Fret Levelling

So will all basic setup tools end up over $120?? I'm on disability, which probably means a file a month.
 
Re: Fret Levelling

Files you can pick up for about $5 at a hardware store. Same with something you can use as a straightedge.

The only thing that is a luthier specific tool is a crowning file.....and those you can pick up on ebay a lot cheaper.....

https://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_fr...rowning+file.TRS0&_nkw=crowning+file&_sacat=0

Then some fine grit (1000-3000grit) sandpapers and painters tape (to protect the fretboard from scratches) from the local hardware too.

Maybe $30 if you spend wisely.
 
Re: Fret Levelling

Thanks! That was really sweet. Been outside w/amp remembering how good these P90s sound. Strat is still crap. Needs at least tuners. Maybe another fret job when the dude is awake.

Do files come in something measurable like sandpaper grit?
 
Re: Fret Levelling

Yes. Maybe ask the nice person in the shop for a couple of finer files.....you're not usually trying to get rid of much material.

And not big files either.....small ones are fine as you are after finesse not brute force.
 
Re: Fret Levelling

Do yourself a favor and treat yourself to one from StewMac! I got one on eBay to save a few bucks and one of the edges is not flat. There's no sense in having one if it's not flat.
 
Re: Fret Levelling

I used to buy everything on eBay. Then it all turned to crap. Then everyone started charging the same price for a used item (likely fkd up), as the price for a new one from a real store. JUST SAY NO
 
Re: Fret Levelling

I've used the stewmac version and a dozen other fretrockers but stewmac's is indeed really, really flat. Now I am skilled enough to by any fretrocker and level it if need be (which it ofen does) it's just like sharpening a knife; use a whetstone, some time and give it a go. A fretrocker is only 7 euro's here, so why not give it a try.

As to this little tool.... no. *insert laughter*
 
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