|
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 4071
Location: Utah | I picked up a nice Ibanez electric guitar off of the 'bay for a great price. So far the only issue is a slightly high spot on the 4th fret at only the 6th string. It buzzes when fretting the 6th string on the 3rd fret only.
So, is it reasonable for me to try to gently file the one end of the 4th fret? Or is this job something well beyond the capabilities of anyone but an experienced luthier?
FWIW, I'm pretty handy and am confident that I can be careful and can polish it smooth after filing. But I don't know diddly about frets. I wouldn't want to screw up the guitar. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | I often do my own minor fret leveling and dressing. Start by using a good 2 or 3 inch metal straight edge (I use an old piece of machine steel). With the strings off, test the frets by spanning three frets at a time, if there is a high fret the straight edge will rock on it. Mark the high spot with a magic marker. Sometimes only part of a fret is too high, test it and mark it accordingly. Tape off the fret board between the frets with masking tape, make sure to get right up against the frets where you will be sanding. Then use 150 grit or 200 grit sandpaper wrapped around a flat hardwood block to sand away the high spot (I use a small Stanley Block plain with the blade retracted).
To crown the fret, wrap sandpaper around two of your fingers and sand length-wise with the fret so that the fret is between your two fingers, this will give it a passable crown.
Then polish with steel wool or finer sandpaper. Of course it's best to error on the side of removing too little instead of too much, so take it easy.
Also some people get good results with a high fret by giving it a "wack" with a hammer to force it down tighter to the fretboad. Use your own descretion as to the size of the hammer and the power of the hit.
A good site to visit for guitar repair info is Frank Ford's site, frets.com.
Good luck |
|
| |
|
Joined:
December 2004
Posts: 4394
Location: East Tennessee | These will work also
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/3-Corner_Fret_Dressing_File...
A little more $$$ but you'll have them for the future. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Originally posted by BrianT:
[QB] To crown the fret, wrap sandpaper around two of your fingers and sand length-wise with the fret so that the fret is between your two fingers, this will give it a passable crown.
[QB] Hey Brian - when you crown with this method how do you keep from grinding away part of the fretborad while you're crowning. I'm trying to imagine getting the fret between your two fingers without picking up the fretboard as well on either side of the fret witht the ends of your fingers. Thanks! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2004
Posts: 338
Location: SE Michigan | Robbie, I tape the fret board off with masking tape to avoid damaging it. I guess if you sand hard enough you can sand through the tape, but it's never been a problem for me. But again this is for minor fret dressing when you dont have to remove a lot of material |
|
| |
|
Joined:
June 2004
Posts: 580
Location: NW NJ | Gracias! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
October 2005
Posts: 400
Location: North Texas | If you've got good hands, go for it. Just file until it stop the buzzing. I use a smooth mill file and stay parallel to the neck. Light touch! |
|
| |
|
Joined:
January 2006
Posts: 208
Location: Illinois | I used small piece of Arkansas knife sharpening stone. Filing for this little bit is too coarse and the polishing and smoothing take too long. Just hone it and polish and you're done. |
|
| |
|
Joined:
April 2003
Posts: 183
Location: Denver, PA USA | I prefer this file.
http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/Files/3/Diamond_Fret_Files.html |
|
| |
Fret Filing
