Guitar Fret Dressing Part 1

[JMBDesignsLI]

You should look into the Brownells rifle draw file for fret sanding. It's a great size. I look to make my own stuff before using Stew Mac. My fret rocker is more accurate and cost 3 buck from a local hardware store because I made it myself. Anyway, the Brownells draw file has been out-of-stock since Spring 2011. I'm on their top priority list for the item. Made in USA. Good luck!

[bravedwarf]

i would love if you gave my esp 2001 custom shop a look over, u seem very good and go into alot of detail. i think the guy at my guitar shop just re-strings it and sets it up quickly and just takes £50 off me..... hmmmmm

[UKToneKing]

also if U were to install new frets, would it change how the guitar played ? some people say new frets are use less ? or is that just mith ? as to me new frets would be great

[davey4557]

@UKToneKing

when the frets are worn to nothing

replace

otherwise rock on

[UKToneKing]

NICE DEMO MAN, if i was to take it every year to get done, would they not disappear in no time ?, my frets were perfect on my guitar, and 3 month on I am seeing the wear marks pretty bad, seems I am heavy handed or somit, how many times can U fret dress before they are toast ? thanks for your time

[I4L3XXI]

hi davey, awsome vid! quick question, how do experts file a jackson compound 14-16 radious? and also my jackson has a few small dips in the frets near the 12ths fret where i shred alot, however they are only reasonably small, how do i know when they become big enought o get them filed?

[davey4557]

@I4L3XXI

you use a beam to level the frets on a compound radius finderboard

the beam can only follow the original radius of the neck

take yer guitar at least once a year to have fret diverts corrected

wait to long and yer GOOCHED

[I4L3XXI]

@davey4557 i called a luthier a few months ago, and he said i wouldnt need them doing for abit, the diverts arent to big at all, and if you run a string over it, there is only a very slight bump, think i need them doing? and what sort of price is it to have them leveled, filed and dressed? thanks dude :)

[davey4557]

@I4L3XXI here's the truth dents in yer frets cause minor intonation problems if yer at home and just play alone no big deal when you play in a band and everyone has dented frets and minor intonation probs you sound shitty that's why a world class act on a big stage sounds so good all the instruments are perfect and intonated together if it's not bugging yer playing no worries just don't let it get bad fret dress and a setup can be over a hundred bucks at some shops

[I4L3XXI]

@davey4557 there isnt a playing problem at all with this guitar,and i wouldnt ever let it get bad enough to be un fixable! that seems very very pricey considering the wear is only really on the high E strings, is there anything they would do to just touch up that area or would it need a full dress?

[mmonti1]

you didnt explain what you use the hemostats for, most likely your most important tool of all =)

[MrTimcrawlin]

@mmonti1 That was the first tool I noticed.I guess it's because it's the only tool that I have that's the same as one that he has.Guess it's time to invest in some more tools if I'm gonna do this.

[snakeman32695]

Hey Davey, i have a quick question, I was wondering how i know if my frets need to be replaced. My previous guitar teacher said they should be replaced but i dont quite know why. If you could just tell me what the signs are of needing new frets it would be great. Thanks, Matt

[davey4557]

@snakeman32695

you need an eye

if the have serious dents that can't be dressed out. need replacing

if it's a CHEAP guitar it's not worth the cost

look for a new guitar

[snakeman32695]

@davey4557 No dents, frets are just flat, and its definitly worth it, my LP is staying with me forever

[davey4557]

@snakeman32695

take it to a pro

they may just need dressing

how old is the LP

[snakeman32695]

@davey4557 Its an 89 classic

[davey4557]

@snakeman32695

It's old enough to warrant replacing frets, but

how did they get flat?

the really should have dents in them

I think dress re crowning would solve it , but I'd have to see the guitar

cheers !!!

[snakeman32695]

@davey4557 im not quite sure, my guess would be meddling done by the previous owner

[zachmcfatridge]

What catalog is that around 3:00?

[davidmonroy86]

5:30 XD XD XD LOL



[ProfetikusHangok]

Thanks Fella,

it was really useful, you are a really good teacher, eh ! :-)

[grejpfroot]

Fret Dressing and Nut Sauce - the perfect condiments!

[davey4557]

@grejpfroot

lol

nice one !!!

Cheers !!!

[woz943]

It was informative for sure, Thanks

[davey4557]

@woz943

Thanks for the comment

[luthier67]

Dave-

What grit do you have on your leveling beam?

[davey4557]

@luthier67

I have 120 grit on the beam

[BarneyFife00]

Personally, I wait until the fret pits are deeper than what I see in your vid. There's only a finite amount of metal in the frets so I want to preserve it for as long as I can. I know what you're saying about not letting the frets go for too long otherwise they become impossible to dress but I don't think it's wise to dress them too often. Most guitars will play buzz-free even with pitted frets.

[davey4557]

@BarneyFife00

I agree. The fret damage on the guitar was not that bad. Problem is all the frets was shaved flat by a no nothing last time.

[Tritono9]

@BarneyFife00 Ok, but what about the intonation? what about the tuning? when you use frets in that condition, your intonation will sucks. Is not a matter only of fret buzz, is a matter of sound too.

[RcUniverseGuy]

thanks for the vid man very informative once i finish buying the right tools I'll have to grow some balls and give it a shot. i own a shit load of guitars so i think its a skill definitely worth learning. awesome vid!!

[davey4557]

@RcUniverseGuy

I'll get part 2 up and yer in business, maybe?

LOL

Cheers !!!

[herrfilm]

great vid

[iPodbunny]

1st! awesome