Plek or take a chance with fret files?

[Napthol]

This tech I'm currently working with says my guitar may need the frets dressed. But I think he may use fret files instead of a leveling bar. I don't know how a tech can get every fret level with the other fret using files.

I'm really leaning in the direction of sending the guitar to Sweetwater to have them Plek it.

Whatcha think I should do?

 

[ehdwuld]

Cost comparison please

What's the tech charge ( even thought you have little confidence in him)
What's the cost of shipping to Sweetwater and a plek?

Expectations for either process

There are several YT videos on this exact same procedure

Some Amazon tools and time .
Much less time than waiting for a return from Sweetwater

You will want the board as level as possible
then a 18 inch sanding beam

If the beam can't be radius matched flat will do
I prefer flat , I can use it on any guitar

Tape board not over frets

Mask the pickups if you can't remove the neck

Marker over fret tops

Fret rocker over all the frets
Mark on tape where high frets are

Slow and steady check progress with the rocker

Recrown with Crowning tool

Done

 

[solspirit]

Cost comparison please

What's the tech charge ( even thought you have little confidence in him)
What's the cost of shipping to Sweetwater and a plek?

Expectations for either process

There are several YT videos on this exact same procedure

Some Amazon tools and time .
Much less time than waiting for a return from Sweetwater

You will want the board as level as possible
then a 18 inch sanding beam

If the beam can't be radius matched flat will do
I prefer flat , I can use it on any guitar

Tape board not over frets

Mask the pickups if you can't remove the neck

Marker over fret tops

Fret rocker over all the frets
Mark on tape where high frets are

Slow and steady check progress with the rocker

Recrown with Crowning tool

Done

This

 

[Mincer]

I say choose whatever will make you rest easy and enjoy playing your guitar.

 

[ICTGoober]

I don't know how a tech can get every fret level with the other fret using files.

That's right - you DON'T. And yet you are drawing conclusions.

I've been doing fret levels professionally for over 45 years.
Here are the files I use the most when leveling frets - a Ken Donnell fingerboard plane (it has a glass plate on the sole), an experimental file given me by Dan Erlewine back in the 80's - (it's very heavy, and cuts nicely all these decades later), and a 3 cornered fret rounding file.

I've made a LOT of money using these 3 tools.


https://i.imgur.com/MHmzULC.jpg

 

[switchman]

If a person has decided that Plek is the benchmark for fret levels, and questions how other methods could be competent, then they should just get a Plek. I would never take on a job from a customer who seemed like they were doubtful it could be done to their satisfaction. There's a dozen variations of how to level crown and polish with a variety of tools and techniques. All of them are valid if they get the proper end result. Sure, we've all encountered work that wasn't done so perfectly so its reasonable to ask how it will be done. But to question the tools so directly is like asking a painter what type of spray gun they use.

 

[Mincer]

If a person has decided that Plek is the benchmark for fret levels, and questions how other methods could be competent, then they should just get a Plek. I would never take on a job from a customer who seemed like they were doubtful it could be done to their satisfaction. There's a dozen variations of how to level crown and polish with a variety of tools and techniques. All of them are valid if they get the proper end result. Sure, we've all encountered work that wasn't done so perfectly so its reasonable to ask how it will be done. But to question the tools so directly is like asking a painter what type of spray gun they use.

Yeah, this is my point. If you get work done by someone, and you already have an idea in your head that they can't give you what you want, then just go ahead and pay for what you want. I can't imagine having all your frets level to 10000th of an inch would be a bad thing. However, it is just one thing in the context of a setup.