I know this vid is pretty old know but I wanted to say to those afraid to take a file to their frets/fretboard, I just ran my polishing erasers across the fret ends & fretboard as shown in this vid & it made a really nice difference. Smoothed out the edges nicely without the need for filling or sanding. Not as "prestige" as thr full process, but feels really nice on my mid tier Ibanez. Great vid, thx!
Hi, I'm from the 6 years in the future and just wanted to say this video is still awesome! I have a few guitars purchased during the global thing during lock downs and most of them have fret issues. Cost wise I could take it to my friend but that's about $300 bucks a guitar so I'm going to do it myself. I've done it in the past a long time ago, it was nice watching this video and really seeing the meat of how this is done properly. So thank you for that!
Just what I needed to learn what to do with my Crimson fret dressing file and polishing rubbers. 12bn cool beans well spent. Looking forward to improving my 6 day course guitar!
I just used some cheapo needle files from Harbor Freight and they worked great. There was a 3 sided file that worked perfectly. Think the set of 15 different files was about $3. They have good options for straight edges there as well I think I’m gonna use with sandpaper to roll a bit more of the fingerboard. Turns a $400 Epi Sg special into a Gibson!
Very helpful, love these mini-torials. I purchased several of your fret files, fret leveler, and fret erasers a while back and just dusted them off today (haven't used them in awhile). This was a fantastic refresher course. Cheers!
Amazing tutorial mate! Just refretted my classic vibe jazz after the previous owner tried to turn it into a fretless bass and your videos have been immensely helpful! Subscribed!
excellent tutorial. have you ever thought about putting your cavity covers on the front side of a guitar? I really like the look of your descendant model and the back plates are so stylish it seems a shame to put them on the back. I understand that it's a practical solution and that putting them on the front may seem silly but I really think that this would be an interesting design mod.
Thank you from the US. I have 3 Fenders with sprout and sharp fret ends. No sprout on any other of my guitars that I have noticed. I only have 10 total so the sample size is small, but the fender frets are the worst I have seen. All 2021 75th Anniversary MIM.
Idea for a mini-torial .. Can you get Tom to show us how to sharpen scrapers. He showed me on a course it was quick and slick and of course I've forgotten what he did now LOL.
Thank you so much! I got a (used) Kala tenor uke and the fret ends are like razors. I want to keep the uke, but it's...like you said: the user interface is horrible if the frets are bad. So now I can fix it. Thank you!
What grit sandpaper are you using on the leveling beam to roll the fretboard edges and what sort of angle are you working at? Is rolling the edge of fretboard supposed to also create that fret end angle?
We have a whole playlist devoted to guitar necks with many, many videos on fretboards and fret levelling. I have attached the link: ruclips.net/p/PLp6z5fUMeeAZDHOM1_45XwI_L7EmHF9UG DC
I would like a better description of your fret dressing file at around 3:00. You call it flat and round but as it goes past the camera it look like it might be concave? I have seen both round (convex) and concave available so which are you using?
So if there's binding or something like that, do you just tap over the ends of the board so that only fretwork is exposed? It seems almostt impossible on say, $10k+ guitars, that a luthier could completely avoid ANY tooling marks at all after dressing ~48 fret ends. How?
I have to say that I'm completely against the sanding technique on the edge of the fretboard. Even without binding, I wouldn't want my luthier taking off any wood , especially because most wood is gonna end up showing different coloration where the sanding takes place . Not everyone wants a rounded edge either. I understand this is a fast method, but I would have to be absolutely sure my customer wants that and understands the wood might end up being lighter in color along the edges. And if we're talking a maple meck, you then have to worry about the finish being removed. I'm surprised he didn't mention the downsides to this method and how not to do it with a neck that has a lacquered finish, especially.
A nice concave crowning file could work as well, yes. Especially a diamon coated one 😊 Hosco actually makes a similar file - this one: www.google.com/search?q=hosco+fret+end+dressing+file&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwijze6_5qffAhXM7WEKHVy4B4kQ_AUIDigB&biw=1536&bih=754#imgrc=oc0Xh3vr_DwwnM: It's an all-in-one type fret dressing file - featuring a concave side along with a rounded and flat side. They are quite nice, and does an excellent job. Cheers 🍻
I could use a tutorial: I have a laminated solid bass guitar body. It's already cut for a pickup and controls, but I'm putting an active pickup in it. That means I need to make a battery pocket somewhere. I have no idea how to proceed. Can you help?
Good question, @Sasmitha 😊 When it comes to refretting finished fretboards, on a guitar that you haven't built yourself, for example with a lacquered maple neck, the fretboard edges wouldn't really need any "roll off/over"... That would've been done from the factory. If it's on a guitar you're building yourself, then you would have done this, when carving the neck, etc. Finished fretboards are always a bit harder to refret, because you have the lacquer to pay attention to.. The important part, refretting a finished fretboard, would be to cut the fret ends flush, after being installed. Then carefully filing the ends flush with the fretboard edges - followed by beveling the fret ends, giving them the proper angle - typically 35 degrees. That being done, you would start to dress the fret ends, using a fine fret end dressing file, taking down the sharp corners and sides. The rest is generally shown in this excellent video! On lacquered fretboards it would probably be a good idea to protect the finish with masking tape - causing a minimal amount of marks on the lacquer 😊 I hope this helps. Cheers.
Hi Ben....thanks for getting to the nitty gritties of dressing those fret ends.....you make it look easy but this part can so easily skrew up a beautiful instrument.....great job. good luck with your guitar sales...wood looks amazing.
I meant on an already lacquered board. I know to round over the fret board it would require removing the lacquer just curious if there are any extra steps/ precautions to take.
I have done this on expensive and cheap guitars and it works flawlessly. When you use the sand paper eraser (fret dressing rubber) it gets rid of all marks on the bindings. If you want to save time and get an awesome outcome, this is the key. Step by step until and finishing up with the final step.
Can't help thinking the fingerboard could do with more protection ?? I've Jusrt bought a new Les Paul and the fret ends are sharp so need to do this or get it done, not sure 🤔.
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars I've had a go and because I'm a bit frightened of running the Guitar I've not done enough. It's still a bit sharp here and there 🙄.
what if you don't have carbon fiber binding.. and you're guitar is already built.. and you're fixing the fret ends because the fretboard shrank over time... the sandpaper would damage the edge of the fretboard wood correct?
I've done just as you said, but my frets are still sharp on the bottoms. I've tried filing them and polishing them, but the fret bottom edges are still relatively sharp. It seems the binding on the neck files faster than the frets no matter what I do. Otherwise they are good. How do I fix this? Thanks!
Allen, have you made sure that the frets are actually flush to the fretboard edges? They might stick out a little, catching your hand.. making things uncomfortable.. When refretting a guitar neck, and when it comes to filing the fret ends flush, followed by beveling and dressing, I tend to lay down a strip of masking tape, to protect the edges, when I file it all flush. Once the ends are flush, and the bevel is right, then I make sure I have no fret ends sticking out.. Only leaving me with the fret end dressing to be done. A proper fret end dressing file would be really good here. Then make sure to really get those corners filed out and then rounded. Cheers.
So no one's come up with like a miniature "ice cream scoop" device to do this? If one is not a Luthier, or doesn't have a collection of guitars, is it cheaper to buy all these materials and DIY, or pay a Guitar Center guy to do this for one or two guitars?
Yes I understand but, if a fret board is properly prepared it shouldn’t need any additional sanding along the edges ;)). Just my opinion. Thanks for the reply
It is a tutorial showing how to properly finish the frets, of course a properly finished fretboard wouldn't need this because... It has already been done lol. Sometimes cheap guitars dont have a lot of work done to the frets (My cheap Squire strat for example). Sometimes people have guitars that need the frets replacing, people build custom guitars etc.
Do NOT do this if you don't want a rounded edge, have binding, or especially if you have a finish on your maple neck. Many people think they want a rounded edge until they realize how much having the sharper corners helps with their fretting and feel while playing. I guarantee most luthiers would tell you that this method is lazy and not advisable in most cases without customer approval of having rounded edges. So be careful. I would personally just tape off around the frets and use a detailing stick to sand down the ends into a nice rounded shape. It takes more time but looks and feels great
It's funny - I always find that if there's one thing that gives away that a guitar is cheap, it's that the neck has razorblades up it. You'd think smoothing it off is a pretty quick and simple job so they'd just fix it to up the perceived quality of the guitar.
![Twenty One Pilots - The Line (from Arcane Season 2) [Official Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/XCz7WUotXs8/mqdefault.jpg)
This the most comprehensive tutorial on how to fix and smooth fret ends. I’ve saved this video. Thank you!
This is absolutely the best explanation and tutorial I've seen about fret ends. Thank you.
Great looking guitar too!
Great tutorial, plus, the first time I've heard someone with head tatts speak with that accent. Bonus.
Both equally valuable experiences
Rob Halford from Judas Priest has head tattoos and a British accent
Skurge from Thor Ragnarok, tatts beard same facial expressions, and accent
@@ProtomanBlues This isn't an British accent.
Amazing how-to. Can you please do a vid on how to roll tight spliffs? Your technique at 03:53 was quite impressive.
I know this vid is pretty old know but I wanted to say to those afraid to take a file to their frets/fretboard, I just ran my polishing erasers across the fret ends & fretboard as shown in this vid & it made a really nice difference. Smoothed out the edges nicely without the need for filling or sanding. Not as "prestige" as thr full process, but feels really nice on my mid tier Ibanez. Great vid, thx!
Hi, I'm from the 6 years in the future and just wanted to say this video is still awesome! I have a few guitars purchased during the global thing during lock downs and most of them have fret issues. Cost wise I could take it to my friend but that's about $300 bucks a guitar so I'm going to do it myself. I've done it in the past a long time ago, it was nice watching this video and really seeing the meat of how this is done properly. So thank you for that!
what about if its a nitro glossy strat neck?.
This is the best video about this subject that I have seen and I've watched many of these videos. Bravo
The only vid (and I've watched many) that address pointy frets. Thank you!
Just what I needed to learn what to do with my Crimson fret dressing file and polishing rubbers. 12bn cool beans well spent. Looking forward to improving my 6 day course guitar!
this is probably the fifth MOST IMPORTANT thing about a guitar ive learnt from Ben haha
I just used some cheapo needle files from Harbor Freight and they worked great. There was a 3 sided file that worked perfectly. Think the set of 15 different files was about $3. They have good options for straight edges there as well I think I’m gonna use with sandpaper to roll a bit more of the fingerboard. Turns a $400 Epi Sg special into a Gibson!
Thanks for sharing. Was wondering whether those would work well.
Very helpful, love these mini-torials. I purchased several of your fret files, fret leveler, and fret erasers a while back and just dusted them off today (haven't used them in awhile). This was a fantastic refresher course.
Cheers!
Amazing tutorial mate! Just refretted my classic vibe jazz after the previous owner tried to turn it into a fretless bass and your videos have been immensely helpful! Subscribed!
This is massively instructive, exactly what I’ve been seeking! Thank you, sir! Count me in.
My pleasures thank you for watching! B
excellent tutorial. have you ever thought about putting your cavity covers on the front side of a guitar? I really like the look of your descendant model and the back plates are so stylish it seems a shame to put them on the back. I understand that it's a practical solution and that putting them on the front may seem silly but I really think that this would be an interesting design mod.
Thank you from the US. I have 3 Fenders with sprout and sharp fret ends. No sprout on any other of my guitars that I have noticed. I only have 10 total so the sample size is small, but the fender frets are the worst I have seen. All 2021 75th Anniversary MIM.
Can i do that in a maple neck, maple fretboard or will i scrape off the lacquer? thanks!
You should be able to do this on any neck. Check the link I have given you DC
Idea for a mini-torial .. Can you get Tom to show us how to sharpen scrapers. He showed me on a course it was quick and slick and of course I've forgotten what he did now LOL.
Would love to see a mini-torial for wiring up a PAF hollow, or any hollow really, something that doesn't have control cavities.
I've rewired semi solids. Not the easiest job dude
Best video about doing fret ends.
Thank you so much! I got a (used) Kala tenor uke and the fret ends are like razors. I want to keep the uke, but it's...like you said: the user interface is horrible if the frets are bad. So now I can fix it. Thank you!
Nice binding! It would be interesting to hear some more about where it's from, how easy it is to apply and so on.
This made me realize I was overthinking it and overdoing it. Thanks.
What about doing completely rounded fret ends? Like to the point where they look like semi-circles?
All of your videos are outstanding.
Great camera work on this tutorial! New sub!
Very nice how much do these guitar cost one like this one but with a chamber body one f hole? Thank U for your time and so much great information 🎸🎶🎸
as always, best video on the topic.
Absolutely love all of your videos! It is such an amazing resource
This is a fantastic tutorial and video. Thanks!
What grit sandpaper are you using on the leveling beam to roll the fretboard edges and what sort of angle are you working at? Is rolling the edge of fretboard supposed to also create that fret end angle?
We have a whole playlist devoted to guitar necks with many, many videos on fretboards and fret levelling. I have attached the link: ruclips.net/p/PLp6z5fUMeeAZDHOM1_45XwI_L7EmHF9UG
DC
Spot-on . Just what I was looking for . Also - what a nice dragon-fly inlay . ♥
I would like a better description of your fret dressing file at around 3:00. You call it flat and round but as it goes past the camera it look like it might be concave? I have seen both round (convex) and concave available so which are you using?
Would you recommend the same technique for guitars with vintage style frets?
I love your channel so much, and your guitars are just...amazing.
So if there's binding or something like that, do you just tap over the ends of the board so that only fretwork is exposed? It seems almostt impossible on say, $10k+ guitars, that a luthier could completely avoid ANY tooling marks at all after dressing ~48 fret ends. How?
I have to say that I'm completely against the sanding technique on the edge of the fretboard. Even without binding, I wouldn't want my luthier taking off any wood , especially because most wood is gonna end up showing different coloration where the sanding takes place . Not everyone wants a rounded edge either. I understand this is a fast method, but I would have to be absolutely sure my customer wants that and understands the wood might end up being lighter in color along the edges. And if we're talking a maple meck, you then have to worry about the finish being removed. I'm surprised he didn't mention the downsides to this method and how not to do it with a neck that has a lacquered finish, especially.
What about using a concave fret crowning file to help dress the fret ends? Thanks.
A nice concave crowning file could work as well, yes. Especially a diamon coated one 😊
Hosco actually makes a similar file - this one:
www.google.com/search?q=hosco+fret+end+dressing+file&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwijze6_5qffAhXM7WEKHVy4B4kQ_AUIDigB&biw=1536&bih=754#imgrc=oc0Xh3vr_DwwnM:
It's an all-in-one type fret dressing file - featuring a concave side along with a rounded and flat side.
They are quite nice, and does an excellent job.
Cheers 🍻
Thanks a great well-done job on giving instruction to those of us that need to fix the frets.
I could use a tutorial: I have a laminated solid bass guitar body. It's already cut for a pickup and controls, but I'm putting an active pickup in it. That means I need to make a battery pocket somewhere. I have no idea how to proceed. Can you help?
Am I the only one that tried to blow away the metal dust while watching the close up filing?😂
It didn’t work for me either.
Incredible tutorial! Inspires confidence to try dressing the shitty fret ends on my Harley Benton!
Awesome tutorial, Skurge!. But you could treat Asgardians little bit better than you did. Just saying.
How about finished fretboards? Like Mexican Strats with maple necks? And how do you roll the fretboard edges off then?
Good question, @Sasmitha 😊
When it comes to refretting finished fretboards, on a guitar that you haven't built yourself, for example with a lacquered maple neck, the fretboard edges wouldn't really need any "roll off/over"... That would've been done from the factory. If it's on a guitar you're building yourself, then you would have done this, when carving the neck, etc.
Finished fretboards are always a bit harder to refret, because you have the lacquer to pay attention to..
The important part, refretting a finished fretboard, would be to cut the fret ends flush, after being installed. Then carefully filing the ends flush with the fretboard edges - followed by beveling the fret ends, giving them the proper angle - typically 35 degrees.
That being done, you would start to dress the fret ends, using a fine fret end dressing file, taking down the sharp corners and sides.
The rest is generally shown in this excellent video!
On lacquered fretboards it would probably be a good idea to protect the finish with masking tape - causing a minimal amount of marks on the lacquer 😊
I hope this helps.
Cheers.
Hi Ben....thanks for getting to the nitty gritties of dressing those fret ends.....you make it look easy but this part can so easily skrew up a beautiful instrument.....great job.
good luck with your guitar sales...wood looks amazing.
My pleasure, than you for watching, I really appreciate your support. B
Very nicely demo'd. Thank you!
You guys are awesome. Thank you for all your hard work
Going to do my 80s Tokai telecaster tomorrow that has horrible fret sprout...
Would it be viable to have aluminum binding on the neck? I don't recall seeing it anywhere before, but that seems like a Crimson thing. :s
how to make sure not to damage the binding on the side of the neck?
How would this process change for a lacquered maple fret board?
Lacquer after installing the frets and rounding over, once you go to fret level and crown it will remove the lacquer from the fret.
I meant on an already lacquered board. I know to round over the fret board it would require removing the lacquer just curious if there are any extra steps/ precautions to take.
Good point, I really cant think of a way.
You did this BEFORE leveling the frets? Oh gosh I feel like I've been just doing it all wrong then...
I thought the same, when you level your frets are you not putting a flat square edge on top of your newly dressed fret ends? Confused. Com?
Leveling the frets should not affect the fret ends. It should only take material from the top
@@gw2031 that's why you crown the frets after leveling
I got a bass from Fender Mexico and it seems like nobody did this step at the factory haha.
Apparently this can be done with a foam sanding block and no downward pressure, files or anything else.
thanks. how we can know the material of frets wires .
Why not to protect the fretboard with masking tape before the fret work? I can see the fretboard sanded ...
Because when it is oiled it will disappear again :)
I believe part of this tutorial was to explain that you WANT your fretboard slightly rounded over, just like the fret ends. Makes it more comfortable.
What if you bought a cheap guitar that didn't have this much attention paid to it, and you want to do this without refinishing the fretboard?
Connor Bonnell Just put masking tape down on the wood and you would be fine
I have done this on expensive and cheap guitars and it works flawlessly. When you use the sand paper eraser (fret dressing rubber) it gets rid of all marks on the bindings. If you want to save time and get an awesome outcome, this is the key. Step by step until and finishing up with the final step.
I ordered a Warmoth build this month. I hear they don't do these little details so this will come in handy. Thanks
As much as their necks cost they should be perfect and not need any extra work
Never had an issue. Bought a few of them.
Can't help thinking the fingerboard could do with more protection ?? I've Jusrt bought a new Les Paul and the fret ends are sharp so need to do this or get it done, not sure 🤔.
You need to give it a go imo, sharp fret ends are not fun! B
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars I've had a go and because I'm a bit frightened of running the Guitar I've not done enough. It's still a bit sharp here and there 🙄.
Brilliant Tutorial, thank you.
Melbourne, Australia.
Great tutorial, thanks for sharing !
Would you want to do this during the winter so that the frets stick out the most?
Technically I suppose so, hopefully the guitar is dry enough out of the gate that you don't need to do this at home though.. B
Thank you, that helped a lot. I have a fret board I need to dress.
Nice tutorial!
what if you don't have carbon fiber binding.. and you're guitar is already built.. and you're fixing the fret ends because the fretboard shrank over time... the sandpaper would damage the edge of the fretboard wood correct?
yes, it would sand the edge of the fretboard if you aren't careful but that is a easy polish and par for the course. B
I've done just as you said, but my frets are still sharp on the bottoms. I've tried filing them and polishing them, but the fret bottom edges are still relatively sharp. It seems the binding on the neck files faster than the frets no matter what I do. Otherwise they are good. How do I fix this? Thanks!
Allen, have you made sure that the frets are actually flush to the fretboard edges? They might stick out a little, catching your hand.. making things uncomfortable..
When refretting a guitar neck, and when it comes to filing the fret ends flush, followed by beveling and dressing, I tend to lay down a strip of masking tape, to protect the edges, when I file it all flush. Once the ends are flush, and the bevel is right, then I make sure I have no fret ends sticking out.. Only leaving me with the fret end dressing to be done.
A proper fret end dressing file would be really good here. Then make sure to really get those corners filed out and then rounded.
Cheers.
So no one's come up with like a miniature "ice cream scoop" device to do this? If one is not a Luthier, or doesn't have a collection of guitars, is it cheaper to buy all these materials and DIY, or pay a Guitar Center guy to do this for one or two guitars?
Simple & Brilliant: thankyou Ben - KRs' Nom
Yes I understand but, if a fret board is properly prepared it shouldn’t need any additional sanding along the edges ;)). Just my opinion. Thanks for the reply
It is a tutorial showing how to properly finish the frets, of course a properly finished fretboard wouldn't need this because... It has already been done lol. Sometimes cheap guitars dont have a lot of work done to the frets (My cheap Squire strat for example). Sometimes people have guitars that need the frets replacing, people build custom guitars etc.
Great tutorial, thank you very much!
Excellent Man!
Thanks,
Dave in the Adirondacks
Do NOT do this if you don't want a rounded edge, have binding, or especially if you have a finish on your maple neck. Many people think they want a rounded edge until they realize how much having the sharper corners helps with their fretting and feel while playing. I guarantee most luthiers would tell you that this method is lazy and not advisable in most cases without customer approval of having rounded edges. So be careful. I would personally just tape off around the frets and use a detailing stick to sand down the ends into a nice rounded shape. It takes more time but looks and feels great
Is this a jumbo fret?
what grit do you use with evo gold? or stainless steel frets??
Excellent mate
Excellent lesson thanks.
Great video, thanks a lot = muchas gracias
Great video
Superior job. 🙏
Thank you. B
Is this the fret end dressing file you are using in this video? crimsonguitars.com/store/fret-end-dressing-file/
Thanks a lot! Love those "torials" :)
I wish I had thought of that! That's for the great vid
multi laminate scarf joints that go behind the volute!
Nice man !
Great video!
wish the guy I bought a neck watched this. He "rolled" the frets. barely usable with a vintage bridge. Going with a callaham vintage narrow now.
are those frets stainless?
Excellent!
videos like this are so helpful
where can I find the fret polishing rubbers? I live in the US and cant seem to find them on amazon or stewmac
www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Fretting/Polishing_and_abrasives/Fret_Erasers.html?gclid=Cj0KCQjw2f7bBRDVARIsAAwYBBtaBHDTk4veGcDEVnPbDPGvo588BGCCm3skiBth4T3QWA85Qmpre2gaApKHEALw_wcB
Crimson makes them. Those are his tools. Just go on the website.
Thanks.
where can i get that fret end dressing file
www.crimsonguitars.com/collections/fretting
I don’t particularly agree with the sandpaper along the fretboard edge. Nice video though.
Why, I did that on my guitar, even sand down edge of fretboard so it plays smoother.
Thank you.
How do i get the fret ends flush?
Thanks
Yes
Thank you yuri
thank you
It's funny - I always find that if there's one thing that gives away that a guitar is cheap, it's that the neck has razorblades up it. You'd think smoothing it off is a pretty quick and simple job so they'd just fix it to up the perceived quality of the guitar.
not true my fender acoustic that i just bought for $500 had sharp frets but the $200 yamaha i have came with supper smooth frets
i mean granted they both are cheap but still must just be the brand
*sees dragonfly inlay*
*thinks* "its... NOt... a CoHeeD ReFeRENcE!!!!"