Have you tried a cotton wheel on a slow rate rotary with polishing compound #3 for matte finish then 5 to put on the shine? I've done it on a few of my guitars. It looks pretty good and wasn't all that expensive.
I enjoy this type of video. As a new player these types of videos cut down on all the trial and error I would have to go through to find out what is best. Using your vast knowledge it removes so much of the trial and error process. Thanks for sharing this.
Phil, just use Flitz metal polish. It will shine your frets better than any of these and cost is less and a tube of it will last a LOT longer than these.
Agree. I have found by holding the blowtorch directly on the fretboard, finger grease and oil not removed by modern methods bubbles out of the wood leaving a substantially cleaner playing surface.
@@AsianDinner Agreed back to you my friend, yep you're right sometimes you have to bight the bullet coz stew mac might be the only guys in the world that have what you need. The thing that drives me mad is I bought one only "flatwork" kit from a UK seller, with postage it was AUD $20 then of course I found the same on AliExpress a few days later, a pack of THREE for AUD $13 including postage !
Oddly enough, I just did one of my guitars today! I generally do the frets when I change the strings. Today I used Gorgomyte because I have it and I'm trying to use it up. What I found a while ago is that virtually any automotive aluminium or chrome polish will work great, and you'll get far more product for your money. You can also use auto paint polish. I found this out when I sanded and polished out a 10 inch long scratch on the upper bout of one of my Strats. I was using Meguiars Ultimate Compound to remove the fine scratches from sanding it out, and decided to try it on the frets. It worked great! The advantage, in my mind, is that I have one product that covers two things. Taking fine scratches out of my finish, and polishing my frets. It also did wonders for my finished maple finger board. For $15-20 bucks for a 15.2 ounce bottle, I don't think you'll find a better bargain. In fact, you may need to buy more guitars just to use it all up in one lifetime.
When I want to clean my frets I just play 'em some yoko ono - scares the crud right off them in no time ! Of course there's an obvious down side to this method.
In the days before CDs and even blessed Spotify, I had to play "Double Fantasy" on vinyl, having to jump up at the end of each track to physically skip the Yoko tracks. This was increasingly hard as the alcohol and - ahem - other substances kicked in over an evening. I had a few cats slit their own throats as a result of accidentally playing a Yoko track. In some cases the police were called.... Then I just recorded all the John Lennon tracks quite sensibly onto a cassette tape (hey kids, ask your grandparents) and then no more cat deaths, no more police, no more tears and blood pouring from eardrums. I often wonder if Mark Chapman listened to a Yoko Ono track before he was driven insane enough to murder one of our all time greatest songwriters? It makes as much sense as anything I've heard so far. Oh and I just use a fretguard and various grades of micromesh papers to clean my frets. I couldn't inflict Yoko on my guitars. They are the love of my life.
For Polishing only. Music Nomad Frine and Fret Guard with Dremel and Cloth polishing wheel. Fast and does not take metal away. Most people have a Dremel or equivalent. Gorgomite is ok but more like Steel Wool without the mess. Erasers and the others take off too much material. I level, crown, dress all my guitars and have a small community of guitarists I do that for. They all come back for the same treatment. Buttery smooth frets that look like jewelry. Great video.
The following description is my method of getting perfectly rounded hemispherical fret ends mirror polished frets and fretboards all at once. First of all I get the assortment pack of 3M trimite polishing paper from Rio Grande jewelry supply because you get two full size 8-1/2" × 11" sheets of six different grits, a total of 12 sheets for $11.95. Everybody else charges $17 and up. Amazon's prices $16.95 and all of them only give you six sheets, one of each Grit whereas Rio Grande gives you two sheets of each grit. The Grits are as follows green 30 Micron 400 Grit. Gray 15 micron 600 grit. Blue 9 Micron 1200 Grit. Pink 3 Micron 4000 Grit. Mint 2 Micron 6000 Grit light green Almost White 1 Micron 8000 Grit. I do not waste time taping up my fretboard or waste the tape it takes to do this. I use a fret Guru ultimate fret in file starting from left to right I go up from the bottom where the Fret meets the fretboard and over 2 light Strokes on each side of the fret, both left and right sides. I go left to right on the left side and then come back right to left on the right side knocking off the little Edge where the bevel and fret meet. I chamfer this little Edge of the bevel. This is my rough shape for my hemispherical fret ends. I use the fretguru ultimate fret in file because it will not Mar up your fretboard. Afterwards I hold the 1/8 sheet of the 3M trimite polishing paper folded in a tri-fold pattern at approximately a 35° to 45° angle running up and down the fretboard approximately 16 times on each side of the neck. I use the same Grit starting with the green coarsest 30 Micron / 400 Grit and I polish the side of my Frets and the fretboard at the same time using my finger. Your finger will go up and over the top of the Fret a little but you will have very little pressure on the top of the Fret this will prevent you from wearing away the top of the Fret and knocking your fret level off accidentally, you will also be polishing the fretboard at the same time since it is not taped. You will notice a little piece of the fretboard in the center between the frets on the first five Frets that doesn't get polished where your finger does not overlap. You will have to rub the little piece of the fretboard in the center between the two frets. After you get to the fifth fret or so you will notice that your fingers overlap in the center and you will no longer have to rub that little piece because the Frets are close enough together so that when you rub on the right side of one fret and the left side of the other fret your finger overlaps in the middle. Do this the entire length of the fretboard rubbing the left side of one fret and the right side of the other fret as well as the fretboard after having run down the sides as I described above. Repeat with each successive finer grit until you get to the finest one micron 8000 Grit. This will give you perfect the rounded hotdogs or hemispherical ends on your frets, it will leave your Frets looking like polished chrome or mirrors and leave your unfinished Rosewood, ebony, Etc, fretboard looking like a polished Rock, shining like lacquered Maple even without a finish on it. Once you try this method you will never do it any other way. It doesn't leave chemicals everywhere, no steel wool dust, everything looks spectacular and you accomplish everything at once. Be sure you mark the back side of each piece of the finest 1 micron / 8 thousand Grit paper because the color is so light you will easily get the back and the front mixed up. The backside won't do anything as far as polishing up your fret and fretboard. I made this mistake several times until I started marking the backside of the paper so I would know which side was which. Feel free to call me at 910-818-3279 anytime night or day. God bless y'all. Jimmy in NC....
Thanks for sharing, Jimmy. That’s quite the write up. This method removes little material on the fret or fretboard? I’m assuming most of the change happens from the friction and the material of these pads? Cheers and God Bless you and your family.
I wonder if you could make a short video showing the process. I’m having a little difficulty understanding the exact process even though it was well written. I do appreciate the tips and I strive to find a way to get that hemispheric fret end look.
Thanx Jimmy ! I just ordered two 3M trimite assortment packs. One for me and a surprise gift for a luthier/ small business owner, who does set ups etc. I think he is gonna dig it! Thanx for the knowledge. P.S. was in the Outer Banks NC in October. One of my favorite vacay destinations!
EXCELLENT VIDEO! ⭐️⭐️ Super informative. ⭐️⭐️ The only thing not covered is using a Dremmel tool with the buffing tip with some polishing paste on it. This method works about as well as any, and is about ten times faster to finish a whole neck with.
Gorgomyte was developed by Jimmy Johnson guitar tech for Rush and Styx. It's more intended for everyday fretboard cleanup. Unfortunately, Jimmy has passed on. It's a good product.
In all honesty, AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME video, this will help so so many people and your honesty truly goes along way, once again great video and hope to see much more, would like to see you do a video on polishes and explaining what finishes benefit from what polishes and how to safely clean finishes according to type of finish (NITRO/POLY etc) Love the channel, Again Awesome Video. Hope All Is Well - Kevin
Hey Phil, have you ever tried using a leather strop after polishing? The concept is similar to chefs who sharpen their knives. The leather strop actually helps smooth and compound the metal at a microscopic level, making it more resistant to wear. I started doing this after every polish and frets come out incredibly smooth. I've even used a leather strop to smooth rough fret ends. Just thought I'd share.
You may already know this. Back in the old days barbers used cut-throat razors to shave their customers. The barber would dress/hone the razor blade on a leather strop that was usually hanging at the back of the barbers chair.
Hi Phil. I have a question about the resting cradle which you are using to inspect your guitar. And I know these are an industry standard design. But what I find amiss is how can you get a true determination of the neck bow status when the lateral weight of the guitar body is making the neck undergo longitudinal stress caused by the cradle underneath the neck? That is, shouldn't the guitar be resting on it's body back with the neck free floating off the edge of the table it's situated on? Thanks
This was a very informational needed video. Everyone should learn to do at least this level of maintenance of their guitars as way to be familiar with the health of their instrument. Finally, for me its a good feeling knowing when I see those polish frets it was from my work. Good one! Thanks!
Phill you forgot one....and you introduced me to it....Micro Mesh pads...they work great ..no more steel wool shavings all over the guitar.. I start with 1500 than 3600 than 8000 or 12000 to finish. Great shiny and slick as ice.
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
@@shawnadams1693 No sir I've never had any issues. Protect your fret board of course and go back and forth a few times not leaving dremel in one spot 👍
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
@@shawnadams1693 If you're using a Dremel to polish fret wire ,you shouldn't be using metallic or bonded abrasives . That will cause heat . Felt bobs would be appropriate but I personally avoid powertools anywhere near my guitars.
1st video fr the new space? I appreciate these comparison videos for tools as I am a novice to guitar and upkeep. Money saved for best for money tools and doing it myself puts more money in the new guitar fund.
Nice video Phil. I just started using Frine. I like it the best of all the methods I have tried. Keep up the great content man! Looking forward to the podcast Friday.
I have 15 guitars/bass and 0000 steel wool has served me just fine. One bag for $4 will last a lifetime (plus a $4 fretguard from Amazon) or make your own fretguards out of an old beer can.
I also highly recommend Mothers Metal Polish, I started out with mag wheel polish decades ago though. Normally use it after a micromesh scrub down for really tarnished Frets. When I'm doing a bunch of guitars I use micromesh velcro backed sheets for use on a D/A sander. mask all the fretboards and zip down each with the D/A on slow for each grit, then a bit of metal polish by hand for an encore.
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
I use a Dremel polishing wheel and some compound. Nothing comes close to that method but I appreciate you have a lot more money in that method. Also you have to be a bit careful not to heat the fret too much but really it's harder to cause issue than not. Also to add I use steel wool first, but 0000 steel wool alone isn't even close to the dremel and polish finish
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
I like the d'addario fret polishing system. Pro tip though, the sheets are exactly the same as the blue 3M sheets. So save a heap of money and just buy the blue 3M sheets. On eBay I got the equivalent of about 30 of the small sheets for the same price as the kit.
The video I've been waiting for during my whole (short) guitar making carrier. Thank you ! I was relieved that the fret erasers weren't last in the ranking
Dude, I have to say that I've been a guitarist since 1977 and the only things that I've ever done was simple set ups and, on occasion, change pups. I've subscribed to your channel and I must say that you've inspired me to advance out of my comfort level. I've ordered, thru Stewmac, the 6 different grit polishing papers and misc other tools, via Sweetwater ( Christ Stewmac is pricey ), to take care of my frets, which I've never done. Thank you for educating me on these things.
The D’Addario template is fine for people like me who had never polished frets before, I’d say three times max, but the proper tool is so cheap and lasts forever. Still, the polishing sheets are awesome. A dremel tool with a polishing wheel will certainly do the trick too.
As for the dremel: yes, it will, but be aware that it might heat up the frets, so don't run it at full speed and keep it moving constantly as to not overheat the fret else it might come loose
Really nice video. I shared it in my face book group.(Grandpa Dan's Precision Guitar Works) Thanks for taking the time and money to put it all together. Please keep this kind of videos coming...
Id like to see you do a fender telecaster comparison. From the player, to the nashville deluxe to the ultra series. Is it better to buy something not top of the line and then customize it as you go ? Or just drop the coin for the top of the line the ultra ? Thanks!!!
Love the SM fret erasers. Try turning them 90degrees (long way pointing to headstock and p/ups) and go up and down without tape. Works great, super quick and no mess. Also works great for polishing small friction surfaces on firearms to speed up break in.
Stew mac pulled a fast one on the small guy. Gorgomyte has been around forever and if I recall the only place you could get was from Gorgomyte themselves or Stew mac. Nowhere else had it. Good on Stew mac on saving us money AND selling the other guys product too. Great video Phil, Thanks.
Awesome informative video Phil! I bought the 2,000 to 10,000 grit sandpaper from Amazon. I regret not taking before and after pics. I inherited a 2002 Goldtop LP that's been in its case since 2006!
Frine works good on hardware, like bridges and tailpieces as well. . Always like trying something new but trusty ole steel wool and a bit of metal polish usually does the trick.
I have been playing since 1977. I have done done 4 re-frets jobs and 10 or 12 level and crown jobs. I have NEVER perceived a reason to polish frets after the initial time taking tool marks after the crowning. This strikes me like waxing your chrome plated shovel. OK, I'm mostly just having some fun being a snarky old man, but I betcha Rory Gallagher never spent any time polishing frets that could have been time spent actually playing guitar.
i believe the Gorgomyte was the original one that came out first. (or at least to be used on instruments). Miracle cloth looks like its meant to be used on anything.
I bought a few packs of these many years ago and I just got around to opening them today. They are pretty dry. Is that how they’re supposed to be? Also, with mine, it left her very, very heavy white residue on my fingerboard, which doesn’t seem to happen in this video.
Great video, good to see a comparison of how the systems work and it looks like a combination of a couple is best. I’ve gone for the 3m sheets and the little orange patches. I already have fret guards. No Stewmac in the UK so I’ve gone to small local shops.
What a great video! Thank you so much for all the effort and a complete thorough comparison. You should try the frine polish with a dremel. Starting from the lowest rpm all the way up in gradual increments. I think the result will surprise you. Have a lovely day.
I just did ( both ) my Suhr strat & Taylor 414ce-R with the Music Nomad frine-kit and they came out Fantastic. Bending notes are a breeze. I also try to use fret-guards whenever possible.
Great comparison. I just ordered the Music Nomad Total Fretboard Care kit that also includes the F1 fretboard conditioner for about $25. I’m glad to see that the fret polisher works so well.
I recently got the Music Nomad kit from Sweetwater, honestly because they were out of Lizard Spit. I have to say, it works really good & you had the same results as I have had. I went a year in between a setup & a polish and I can tell you that is to long. I am still learning so I practice an average of 1.5 hours a day every day, so it doesn't take long to make the frets nasty.
Thanks but I'm a little confused. The title of your video is "Top 10 Guitar Fret POLISHING Systems" but in the end, your favorites are good at "cleaning" the frets. There is quite a bit of difference. Polishing is usually the last step in a fret dress. Or it could be the only step for rough or tarnished frets. But cleaning is just that - cleaning. Which (if any) of the products are good for smoothing rough and.or tarnished frets? Thanks again!
i just checked in Europe Thomann sell gorgomyte for 25€ that's about 30$us ... Sic!!!! But there is this thing called DMI Fret butter that seams to be the same thing for 5,5€ anyone ever tryed it ?
The D Adario I use both sides, rough then the softer back side and they work well. I play in my back yard, so I polish my frets every time I change strings. I also like the music nomad kit, but I use a Dremel and polish wheel but only once a year, D adario sheets in between. Maybe I should try that nomad kit full time, looked way easier just cloth buffing with some frine
Just get the music nomad kit for fret polish. Simple process with zero mess vs your approach is cumbersome and all that taping up unnecessary and waste of time.
FYI the black residue is the fine grit of metal being removed from the fret,this is how metal is polished it is not dirt! although it appears to be but it is not > I worked for a company that did Research and development for 3M and Meguiars,so I do have experience in this area
Do you know how the ibanez fret eraser kit stacks up to the set erasers? It's 2 erasers and a brush for 14 euro, so 16 bucks. Frine gets the result of the micro mesh set, but in less time? (But more leakage onto the fretboard) Great info here :) Can you get in with a string manufacturer and test string "cleaners" on worn strings, or get into a lab where they can measure the oscillation (Or go DI and check the recorded waveforms) ?
Good video, as always! The $10.00 shipping always makes me back out of the cart in Stewmac. I can always find something as good for my purposes elsewhere (usually Amazon) at a significantly lower cost. Too bad, otherwise they would be my go-to.
I have always used 0000 steel wool. It will work as good as anything with enough elbow grease. Hate polishing compounds because it turns white and gets into the grain of the fretboard.
00:23 Steel Wool
amzn.to/3lJwX2z
01:45 D Addario Fret Polishing System
imp.i114863.net/LMYvY
02:46 Miracle Polishing Cloth
www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/supplies/cleaners-and-lubricants/miracle-polishing-cloth.html
03:48 Gorgomyte Cloth
www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/supplies/cleaners-and-lubricants/gorgomyte-fretboard-conditioning-cloth.html
05:16 Lizard Spit Polish Kit
imp.i114863.net/Kr52a
06:35 Dunlop Fret Kit
imp.i114863.net/qQdNn
07:56 3M Polish Sheets
amzn.to/3faSCOo
09:36 Micro Mesh pack
amzn.to/32SXSkU
11:09 Music Nomad FRINE Kit
imp.i114863.net/kydQM
12:49 Fret Erasers
www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/polishing-and-abrasives/fret-erasers.html
Have you tried a cotton wheel on a slow rate rotary with polishing compound #3 for matte finish then 5 to put on the shine?
I've done it on a few of my guitars. It looks pretty good and wasn't all that expensive.
Please try the ghs fretboard care, its the only one that i find here in Brazil
I enjoy this type of video. As a new player these types of videos cut down on all the trial and error I would have to go through to find out what is best. Using your vast knowledge it removes so much of the trial and error process. Thanks for sharing this.
Phil, just use Flitz metal polish. It will shine your frets better than any of these and cost is less and a tube of it will last a LOT longer than these.
Hey Phil McKnight, will polishing my frets help for if I’m having issues with rough sounding frets as I’m bending??
I just go old school...angle grinder followed up by a blow torch.
Great reason to go watersking for final polish. The wife always has a towel , we're good to go .
Agree. I have found by holding the blowtorch directly on the fretboard, finger grease and oil not removed by modern methods bubbles out of the wood leaving a substantially cleaner playing surface.
Too high tech for me. I use a rock. Flintstone when I'm feeling fancy
Are you “that guy” from the Great Guitar Build Off? 😃
😂😂😂👍👍
Buying sandpaper from stew mac is like buying candy at the checkout. (Overpriced)
Most goods from Stew mac are overpriced, every time I get to the checkout the shipping cost to Australia kills me so I don't end up buying anything.
Agreed! but to stew mac's credit, they do have a few tools that just can't be outdone, like the nut slotting files and neck shims.
@Stratman 74 you realize that they don't actually get to keep the money for shipping, right?
@@AsianDinner Agreed back to you my friend, yep you're right sometimes you have to bight the bullet coz stew mac might be the only guys in the world that have what you need. The thing that drives me mad is I bought one only "flatwork" kit from a UK seller, with postage it was AUD $20 then of course I found the same on AliExpress a few days later, a pack of THREE for AUD $13 including postage !
@@AsianDinner the neck shims are A++. The nut files are great but I found a set of Japanese files that are even better and cost about the same.
And that's the type of content I'm subscribing for ! Well done Phil !
I just used a fingernail buffer stick divided into 2 grits on each side - It cost me $2.50 with truly beautiful results.
Oddly enough, I just did one of my guitars today!
I generally do the frets when I change the strings. Today I used Gorgomyte because I have it and I'm trying to use it up.
What I found a while ago is that virtually any automotive aluminium or chrome polish will work great, and you'll get far more product for your money. You can also use auto paint polish. I found this out when I sanded and polished out a 10 inch long scratch on the upper bout of one of my Strats. I was using Meguiars Ultimate Compound to remove the fine scratches from sanding it out, and decided to try it on the frets. It worked great!
The advantage, in my mind, is that I have one product that covers two things. Taking fine scratches out of my finish, and polishing my frets. It also did wonders for my finished maple finger board.
For $15-20 bucks for a 15.2 ounce bottle, I don't think you'll find a better bargain. In fact, you may need to buy more guitars just to use it all up in one lifetime.
When I want to clean my frets I just play 'em some yoko ono - scares the crud right off them in no time ! Of course there's an obvious down side to this method.
You win the Internet.
In the days before CDs and even blessed Spotify, I had to play "Double Fantasy" on vinyl, having to jump up at the end of each track to physically skip the Yoko tracks. This was increasingly hard as the alcohol and - ahem - other substances kicked in over an evening. I had a few cats slit their own throats as a result of accidentally playing a Yoko track. In some cases the police were called....
Then I just recorded all the John Lennon tracks quite sensibly onto a cassette tape (hey kids, ask your grandparents) and then no more cat deaths, no more police, no more tears and blood pouring from eardrums.
I often wonder if Mark Chapman listened to a Yoko Ono track before he was driven insane enough to murder one of our all time greatest songwriters? It makes as much sense as anything I've heard so far.
Oh and I just use a fretguard and various grades of micromesh papers to clean my frets. I couldn't inflict Yoko on my guitars. They are the love of my life.
I don't know you but I already know I like you
Wow. You owe me a small ice caramel latte that just came out of my nose upon sudden and extreme laughter
Lol, It probably cleans out all the ear wax build up too, like a 2 for 1😂
For Polishing only. Music Nomad Frine and Fret Guard with Dremel and Cloth polishing wheel. Fast and does not take metal away. Most people have a Dremel or equivalent.
Gorgomite is ok but more like Steel Wool without the mess.
Erasers and the others take off too much material.
I level, crown, dress all my guitars and have a small community of guitarists I do that for. They all come back for the same treatment. Buttery smooth frets that look like jewelry.
Great video.
Gorgomyte was invented by a Guitar Tech of Alex Lifeson of RUSH .
The following description is my method of getting perfectly rounded hemispherical fret ends mirror polished frets and fretboards all at once. First of all I get the assortment pack of 3M trimite polishing paper from Rio Grande jewelry supply because you get two full size 8-1/2" × 11" sheets of six different grits, a total of 12 sheets for $11.95. Everybody else charges $17 and up. Amazon's prices $16.95 and all of them only give you six sheets, one of each Grit whereas Rio Grande gives you two sheets of each grit. The Grits are as follows green 30 Micron 400 Grit. Gray 15 micron 600 grit. Blue 9 Micron 1200 Grit. Pink 3 Micron 4000 Grit. Mint 2 Micron 6000 Grit light green Almost White
1 Micron 8000 Grit.
I do not waste time taping up my fretboard or waste the tape it takes to do this.
I use a fret Guru ultimate fret in file starting from left to right I go up from the bottom where the Fret meets the fretboard and over 2 light Strokes on each side of the fret, both left and right sides. I go left to right on the left side and then come back right to left on the right side knocking off the little Edge where the bevel and fret meet. I chamfer this little Edge of the bevel. This is my rough shape for my hemispherical fret ends. I use the fretguru ultimate fret in file because it will not Mar up your fretboard. Afterwards I hold the 1/8 sheet of the 3M trimite polishing paper folded in a tri-fold pattern at approximately a 35° to 45° angle running up and down the fretboard approximately 16 times on each side of the neck. I use the same Grit starting with the green coarsest 30 Micron / 400 Grit and I polish the side of my Frets and the fretboard at the same time using my finger. Your finger will go up and over the top of the Fret a little but you will have very little pressure on the top of the Fret this will prevent you from wearing away the top of the Fret and knocking your fret level off accidentally, you will also be polishing the fretboard at the same time since it is not taped. You will notice a little piece of the fretboard in the center between the frets on the first five Frets that doesn't get polished where your finger does not overlap. You will have to rub the little piece of the fretboard in the center between the two frets. After you get to the fifth fret or so you will notice that your fingers overlap in the center and you will no longer have to rub that little piece because the Frets are close enough together so that when you rub on the right side of one fret and the left side of the other fret your finger overlaps in the middle. Do this the entire length of the fretboard rubbing the left side of one fret and the right side of the other fret as well as the fretboard after having run down the sides as I described above. Repeat with each successive finer grit until you get to the finest one micron 8000 Grit. This will give you perfect the rounded hotdogs or hemispherical ends on your frets, it will leave your Frets looking like polished chrome or mirrors and leave your unfinished Rosewood, ebony, Etc, fretboard looking like a polished Rock, shining like lacquered Maple even without a finish on it. Once you try this method you will never do it any other way. It doesn't leave chemicals everywhere, no steel wool dust, everything looks spectacular and you accomplish everything at once. Be sure you mark the back side of each piece of the finest 1 micron / 8 thousand Grit paper because the color is so light you will easily get the back and the front mixed up. The backside won't do anything as far as polishing up your fret and fretboard. I made this mistake several times until I started marking the backside of the paper so I would know which side was which. Feel free to call me at 910-818-3279 anytime night or day.
God bless y'all.
Jimmy in NC....
Thanks for sharing, Jimmy. That’s quite the write up.
This method removes little material on the fret or fretboard? I’m assuming most of the change happens from the friction and the material of these pads?
Cheers and God Bless you and your family.
Crikey!! That's some detail. Thanks for sharing.
I wonder if you could make a short video showing the process. I’m having a little difficulty understanding the exact process even though it was well written. I do appreciate the tips and I strive to find a way to get that hemispheric fret end look.
@@johnnyh64 Call me at (910)-818-3279 and I'll tell you anything you need to know. I don't really have any way of making a video.
Thanx Jimmy ! I just ordered two 3M trimite assortment packs. One for me and a surprise gift for a luthier/ small business owner, who does set ups etc. I think he is gonna dig it! Thanx for the knowledge. P.S. was in the Outer Banks NC in October. One of my favorite vacay destinations!
I got the Music Nomad kit and cleaned up my Dad's American strat. Man what a difference!
You rock.. can you talk to my son ha.
_,,Wipe down _*_THIS!!!_*_ "_ **grabs crotch**
(Walter Hartwell White, Breaking Bad, 2008)
Just kidding 😄
Great video Phil!! Thanks for including us!
Music nomad makes great stuff. Always clean my guitars with their cleaners and polish
Gorgomyte fan here, never saw a reason to switch. May try the Miracle Cloth tho.
I use that too! I mostly use it for the fretboard. I'm now realizing I should be doing the frets when needed as well
A nail buffer block works Ok too. You might even be able to “borrow” one... Really like these types of videos Phil
Yeah , that works . I tried it out on cheap guitars years ago to make sure and haven't a problem using them with care on my better instruments.
EXCELLENT VIDEO!
⭐️⭐️ Super informative. ⭐️⭐️
The only thing not covered is using a Dremmel tool with the buffing tip with some polishing paste on it.
This method works about as well as any, and is about ten times faster to finish a whole neck with.
Big fan of the music nomad. Great for a beginner!
Every time I check out this channel I learn something new and useful! Thanks Phil! Keep Rocking!!
great video Phil, excellent topic and to the point with no BS. This is why we subscribe. Thanks for all your great videos, you've taught me a lot :)
Gorgomyte was developed by Jimmy Johnson guitar tech for Rush and Styx. It's more intended for everyday fretboard cleanup. Unfortunately, Jimmy has passed on. It's a good product.
In all honesty, AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME video, this will help so so many people and your honesty truly goes along way, once again great video and hope to see much more, would like to see you do a video on polishes and explaining what finishes benefit from what polishes and how to safely clean finishes according to type of finish (NITRO/POLY etc) Love the channel, Again Awesome Video. Hope All Is Well - Kevin
Hey Phil, have you ever tried using a leather strop after polishing? The concept is similar to chefs who sharpen their knives. The leather strop actually helps smooth and compound the metal at a microscopic level, making it more resistant to wear. I started doing this after every polish and frets come out incredibly smooth. I've even used a leather strop to smooth rough fret ends. Just thought I'd share.
You may already know this. Back in the old days barbers used cut-throat razors to shave their customers. The barber would dress/hone the razor blade on a leather strop that was usually hanging at the back of the barbers chair.
A pure leather strop is kinda slow. Puffing compound on a leather strop speeds things up.
@@demokraatti I use the strop as a finisher. Not to fully polish the frets.
I do the same thing! 0000 steel wool followed by a polish with a piece of leather hide, works great!
I cant play guitar at all, but i love this channel and learning a lot.
1000 grit fret eraser, steel wool then metal polish= bling!!
Bingo! 💯👍🤘
Meh, I don't like the steel wool. Even if you mask off the pick up, those steel wool bits get everywhere, all over the bench ect.
Yes mate. The higher the grit the more it’ll polish, even finish with a mini leather knife hone to super polish.
that micromesh kit is bs, 1500 is not that aggressive, buy 3m instead
For once Stew Mac not the most expensive, red letter day.
I use Gorgamyte it’s been around forever never fails me comes in ziplock baggy
FYI, the Gorgomyte guy passed away a while ago. If you have any left, don't waste it. It's gone for good man.
Oh wow!! That sucks I love that stuff ☹️☹️☹️
Hi Phil. I have a question about the resting cradle which you are using to inspect your guitar. And I know these are an industry standard design. But what I find amiss is how can you get a true determination of the neck bow status when the lateral weight of the guitar body is making the neck undergo longitudinal stress caused by the cradle underneath the neck? That is, shouldn't the guitar be resting on it's body back with the neck free floating off the edge of the table it's situated on? Thanks
This was a very informational needed video. Everyone should learn to do at least this level of maintenance of their guitars as way to be familiar with the health of their instrument. Finally, for me its a good feeling knowing when I see those polish frets it was from my work. Good one! Thanks!
I have to stop watching these, every time I do I end up spending money!!
Phill you forgot one....and you introduced me to it....Micro Mesh pads...they work great ..no more steel wool shavings all over the guitar.. I start with 1500 than 3600 than 8000 or 12000 to finish. Great shiny and slick as ice.
Excellent comparison Phil,I tape off my fingerboard and use Autosol (metal cleaner) then Finger Ease the frets have a mirror shine and feel great.
What about using a rotary tool such as a dremel and polishing pads with something like jewelers rouge?
I wouldnt use jewelers rouge but maybe some kind of friction paste (but VERY high grit) and that seems to work pretty dang well
🦎Lizard spits 🦎
And a buffer on my Dremel.. Omg frets like glass 👍
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
@@shawnadams1693 No sir I've never had any issues. Protect your fret board of course and go back and forth a few times not leaving dremel in one spot 👍
@@seniordh500 Awesome, thanks!
#11 The guy you pay to do it for you cause you're too lazy to do it yourself.
12:46 Same? Same as which product?
Fret guard, dremel, and a polishing wheel. Fast and it creates a mirror finish.
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
I avoid powertools and expensive guitars personally.
@@shawnadams1693 If you're using a Dremel to polish fret wire ,you shouldn't be using metallic or bonded abrasives . That will cause heat . Felt bobs would be appropriate but I personally avoid powertools anywhere near my guitars.
1st video fr the new space? I appreciate these comparison videos for tools as I am a novice to guitar and upkeep. Money saved for best for money tools and doing it myself puts more money in the new guitar fund.
Thanks Phil. Would love a video on rounding fret edges with micro mesh!
Who’s the best at ripping me off? Family court :/
Nice video Phil. I just started using Frine. I like it the best of all the methods I have tried. Keep up the great content man! Looking forward to the podcast Friday.
I have 15 guitars/bass and 0000 steel wool has served me just fine. One bag for $4 will last a lifetime (plus a $4 fretguard from Amazon) or make your own fretguards out of an old beer can.
Great comparisson test, Phillip. Thank you, and best wishes from th U.K.
0000 steel wool,and Dremel,polish with Mothers metal polish.they look better than when new ad stay shinny along time.all together about 10 bucks
I also highly recommend Mothers Metal Polish, I started out with mag wheel polish decades ago though. Normally use it after a micromesh scrub down for really tarnished Frets. When I'm doing a bunch of guitars I use micromesh velcro backed sheets for use on a D/A sander. mask all the fretboards and zip down each with the D/A on slow for each grit, then a bit of metal polish by hand for an encore.
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
I use a Dremel polishing wheel and some compound. Nothing comes close to that method but I appreciate you have a lot more money in that method. Also you have to be a bit careful not to heat the fret too much but really it's harder to cause issue than not. Also to add I use steel wool first, but 0000 steel wool alone isn't even close to the dremel and polish finish
Have you done stainless steel frets?
I use Nevr-Dull wadding metal polish. For $9 at Walmart, a whole container will last for years. It shines, and polishes the frets to a mirror shine.
Me too
Frine is good and lizard spit
Have you ever considered Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Cleaning Pads?
Hi Jeff, In my experience trying one to see it was horrible and almost damaged the guitar I was testing.
Brooo! I just polished my frets with the frine polish! I got a little buffer adapter for my dremmal and it worked pretty good. No complaints
I’ve read concerns about frets “overheating” and coming loose from dremel polishing. Have you experienced that at all? Have you done stainless steel frets?
@@6nosis 😂 Thanks man. I ended up using a Dremel and the frets got warm, but I’d move to the next one before they got hot. Came out great.
I like the d'addario fret polishing system. Pro tip though, the sheets are exactly the same as the blue 3M sheets. So save a heap of money and just buy the blue 3M sheets. On eBay I got the equivalent of about 30 of the small sheets for the same price as the kit.
Ah just noticed you mentioned this in the video. I couldn't wait to comment though haha
Great video!
I had great result using the Music Nomad stuff. After many polish job, what is the best way to clean up your cloth?
The video I've been waiting for during my whole (short) guitar making carrier. Thank you ! I was relieved that the fret erasers weren't last in the ranking
Dude, I have to say that I've been a guitarist since 1977 and the only things that I've ever done was simple set ups and, on occasion, change pups. I've subscribed to your channel and I must say that you've inspired me to advance out of my comfort level. I've ordered, thru Stewmac, the 6 different grit polishing papers and misc other tools, via Sweetwater ( Christ Stewmac is pricey ), to take care of my frets, which I've never done. Thank you for educating me on these things.
I'm also using the same type of steel wool to remove gunk and finger residue from the fretboard before putting on fretboard conditioner.
The D’Addario template is fine for people like me who had never polished frets before, I’d say three times max, but the proper tool is so cheap and lasts forever. Still, the polishing sheets are awesome.
A dremel tool with a polishing wheel will certainly do the trick too.
As for the dremel: yes, it will, but be aware that it might heat up the frets, so don't run it at full speed and keep it moving constantly as to not overheat the fret else it might come loose
I bought 2 8000 grit sheets in a package from Dunlop. They worked good for a while but don't seem to do much now.
They say you can wash them but that didn’t seem to work that well 😂 I usually just buy some new ones after a while
That’s pretty useful, I’ve just bought a Harley Benton with pretty rough frets, so I’ll use one of the solutions
Thanks for doing this video Phillip. Very helpful. I had only used the MusicNomad Frine system before.
Really nice video. I shared it in my face book group.(Grandpa Dan's Precision Guitar Works) Thanks for taking the time and money to put it all together. Please keep this kind of videos coming...
Id like to see you do a fender telecaster comparison. From the player, to the nashville deluxe to the ultra series. Is it better to buy something not top of the line and then customize it as you go ? Or just drop the coin for the top of the line the ultra ? Thanks!!!
If you're going to use steel wool please remember to wear a dust mask. I like using a sanding or polishing sponge.
Question for Phillip McKnight : would you still need to do this on stainless steel frets ( maybe just not as often)?
That's what I'm wondering. They feel smooth to me after two years, but it's really hard to notice gradual changes.
I'd like to know this also Phillip. Thanks for doing this type of video for us all. Cheers!
Love the SM fret erasers. Try turning them 90degrees (long way pointing to headstock and p/ups) and go up and down without tape. Works great, super quick and no mess. Also works great for polishing small friction surfaces on firearms to speed up break in.
Stew mac pulled a fast one on the small guy. Gorgomyte has been around forever and if I recall the only place you could get was from Gorgomyte themselves or Stew mac. Nowhere else had it. Good on Stew mac on saving us money AND selling the other guys product too. Great video Phil, Thanks.
Hi Phil, just a tip, Crimson Guitar also sells fret erasers and they are a lot cheaper for me (in Europe) than the ones from Stewmac.
Nice vid, I’ve always taped my fretboard and used a fret guard with Nevr-Dull wadding, and then buff it off
I am what is commonly known in some circles as first.
285,000 subscribers and you were first. What are the chances.....
I don't know but maybe you should go buy a lotto ticket. It's your night, my friend.
i have been happy with 8000 grid sandpaper so far. should i go 16000?
Awesome informative video Phil! I bought the 2,000 to 10,000 grit sandpaper from Amazon. I regret not taking before and after pics. I inherited a 2002 Goldtop LP that's been in its case since 2006!
I use 1000,1500,2000, and then 3000 trizact, then polish to a mirror shine with simichrome
Frine works good on hardware, like bridges and tailpieces as well. . Always like trying something new but trusty ole steel wool and a bit of metal polish usually does the trick.
Music Nomad make the best of every thing by MILES i personally own everything the make Dunlop 2nd BUT make a lot of GREAT stuff
I have been playing since 1977. I have done done 4 re-frets jobs and 10 or 12 level and crown jobs. I have NEVER perceived a reason to polish frets after the initial time taking tool marks after the crowning. This strikes me like waxing your chrome plated shovel. OK, I'm mostly just having some fun being a snarky old man, but I betcha Rory Gallagher never spent any time polishing frets that could have been time spent actually playing guitar.
i believe the Gorgomyte was the original one that came out first. (or at least to be used on instruments). Miracle cloth looks like its meant to be used on anything.
I bought a few packs of these many years ago and I just got around to opening them today. They are pretty dry. Is that how they’re supposed to be? Also, with mine, it left her very, very heavy white residue on my fingerboard, which doesn’t seem to happen in this video.
Great video, good to see a comparison of how the systems work and it looks like a combination of a couple is best. I’ve gone for the 3m sheets and the little orange patches. I already have fret guards. No Stewmac in the UK so I’ve gone to small local shops.
What a great video! Thank you so much for all the effort and a complete thorough comparison. You should try the frine polish with a dremel. Starting from the lowest rpm all the way up in gradual increments. I think the result will surprise you. Have a lovely day.
Lizard Spit is the BOMB...2 frets per pad👍🏻👍🏻😊😊
I just did ( both ) my Suhr strat & Taylor 414ce-R with the Music Nomad frine-kit and they came out Fantastic. Bending notes are a breeze. I also try to use fret-guards whenever possible.
Great comparison. I just ordered the Music Nomad Total Fretboard Care kit that also includes the F1 fretboard conditioner for about $25. I’m glad to see that the fret polisher works so well.
The Lizard Spit kit is impregnated with metal polish. I just use Mother's metal polish and a microfiber cloth. Like glass.
I recently got the Music Nomad kit from Sweetwater, honestly because they were out of Lizard Spit. I have to say, it works really good & you had the same results as I have had. I went a year in between a setup & a polish and I can tell you that is to long. I am still learning so I practice an average of 1.5 hours a day every day, so it doesn't take long to make the frets nasty.
Thanks as always for a great comparison. You Rock brother 👍🇺🇲🏁
Ah the joys of inflation, the Miracle cloth is $7.24 now
Are those yello microfiber towels from Costco. Love your channel……. ❤❤❤
Indeed the Miracle Cloth (Dunlop) and Gorgomyte are the same thing…
Thanks but I'm a little confused. The title of your video is "Top 10 Guitar Fret POLISHING Systems" but in the end, your favorites are good at "cleaning" the frets. There is quite a bit of difference. Polishing is usually the last step in a fret dress. Or it could be the only step for rough or tarnished frets. But cleaning is just that - cleaning. Which (if any) of the products are good for smoothing rough and.or tarnished frets? Thanks again!
i just checked in Europe Thomann sell gorgomyte for 25€ that's about 30$us ... Sic!!!!
But there is this thing called DMI Fret butter that seams to be the same thing for 5,5€
anyone ever tryed it ?
The D Adario I use both sides, rough then the softer back side and they work well. I play in my back yard, so I polish my frets every time I change strings. I also like the music nomad kit, but I use a Dremel and polish wheel but only once a year, D adario sheets in between. Maybe I should try that nomad kit full time, looked way easier just cloth buffing with some frine
I’m repairing a burnt Warwick corvette looking for advice great vid as usual
Just get the music nomad kit for fret polish. Simple process with zero mess vs your approach is cumbersome and all that taping up unnecessary and waste of time.
7:20 Dunlop is overpriced crap. I’m surprised you said that you like their stuff at all.
My god I thought that was Matt Pinfield! Nope. Mr. McKnight!!
Know Your Gear meets Project Farm! (Check out that channel if you don't know what I'm talking about.)
FYI the black residue is the fine grit of metal being removed from the fret,this is how metal is polished it is not dirt! although it appears to be but it is not > I worked for a company that did Research and development for 3M and Meguiars,so I do have experience in this area
Do you know how the ibanez fret eraser kit stacks up to the set erasers? It's 2 erasers and a brush for 14 euro, so 16 bucks.
Frine gets the result of the micro mesh set, but in less time? (But more leakage onto the fretboard) Great info here :) Can you get in with a string manufacturer and test string "cleaners" on worn strings, or get into a lab where they can measure the oscillation (Or go DI and check the recorded waveforms) ?
My wife gave me a cheap nail polishing block which has different surfaces from fine to very fine. Not for the massive crust but works well 😅.
A 4 sided nail polishing block does a great job €2 (about $2) from the supermarket.
Good video, as always! The $10.00 shipping always makes me back out of the cart in Stewmac. I can always find something as good for my purposes elsewhere (usually Amazon) at a significantly lower cost. Too bad, otherwise they would be my go-to.
We all hate their $10 shipping. Hopefully they will ditch it one day
I have always used 0000 steel wool. It will work as good as anything with enough elbow grease. Hate polishing compounds because it turns white and gets into the grain of the fretboard.