Time to refret

[Clint 55]

Re: Time to refret

Why the heck did you NEED to level a brand new Warmoth neck? Their stuff is usually better than factory stuff, fresh out of the box.

I tested it and it was close, but there was a low spot centered at the 14th fret 2nd string.

 

[dystrust]

Re: Time to refret

Why the heck did you NEED to level a brand new Warmoth neck? Their stuff is usually better than factory stuff, fresh out of the box.

It's normal to level and crown frets after installation because they tend to not be perfectly level for whatever reason. Finished guitars that you buy have all had this done, whereas Warmoth can't really do it since you need the neck attached to a body in order to properly level the frets.

 

[Chris Pile]

Re: Time to refret

You people get all your exercise jumping to the wrong conclusions, don't ya?

In the almost 40 years I've been installing Warmoth necks for clients (several of them are pretty damn picky), only 1 has needed to be leveled when brand new. The quality of their work is better than most factory stuff. As far as I am concerned, Warmoth sets the bar for quality fretwork right out of the box.

 

[Clint 55]

Re: Time to refret

You're right, when I unboxed the neck I was blown away by the quality. I looked down the frets and everything seemed level. I rocked all the frets with a credit card and everything was right. But after I bolted it on and strung it up, there was a buzz right in one of my sweet spots - the 12th fret A shape. I played with the truss rod and made sure the neck was bolted securely. Also tried raising the saddle a tad, no dice. I ain't playing my brand new neck that I'm all excited about if it has buzz. I got the largest fret size - 6100 Jumbo so it wasn't really a big deal. Besides I think they play better in the upper frets with some fallaway anyways. I cut the nut slots a little higher than my usual med/low measurement of .020" - .016". Instead went with .022" - .018" feels bomb with the huge frets.

 

[ChAoZ]

Re: Time to refret

Please note, Warmoth does not perform fret leveling. Most Warmoth necks are playable as they are received and do not require fret leveling. However, because wood moves with changes in temperature, humidity and string tension fret leveling may be required. This is best done after the neck has been strung up to pitch for several days and allowed to adjust in the assembled state. For this reason, Warmoth leaves this fine tuning to the end user.