Make pro guitar luthier tools out of stuff you have (Guitar Hack #1)
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- Опубликовано: 12 апр 2017
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Guitar hack #1: How to make professional guitar luthier tools out of stuff you already have
This is how to make your own professional guitar luthier tools out of stuff you probably already have lying around your house
Tool #1
The first tool we will be making is a guitar neck notched straight edge. To build this you will need something made of metal with a straight edge. For that reason, I highly recommend a metal straight edge
If you don't already have a metal straight edge lying around you can use for this project, you can pick up one exactly like this at Walmart or harbor freight tools.
Step 1) line up your straight edge with the guitar neck you will be working on and mark the fret spaces with with a sharpie. You'll notice I already have one side cut out for guitar, but I'll be using this other side to make a notched straight edge for bass.
Step 2) using about an 1/8th" radius, mark a semicircle around your fret markings
Step 3) grind away the semi circles. You can use a file, angle grinder, or my personal favorite, a dremel tool. Quick tip for dremel users: if you double up your cutting wheels, you won't have to change out your cutting wheel as often.
Step 4) file off any burrs and sand with a medium or fine grit sandpaper to remove any sharp edges. You don't want to scratch up a nice fretboard with your new tool.
Tool #2
Fret sanding beam
Again, you'll need something with a straight edge for this, but much thicker than a metal yard stick. For this I chose to use my level. If you don't happen to have a level like this, firstly, you really should. It's very handy tool, and unlike the notched straight edge, the mods we will make to this thing won't effect it's original design and purpose. Secondly, if you don't have one, again, you can buy one just like this at Walmart or harbor freight. Just make sure the one you get is actually flat all the way across. Sometimes these mass produced plastic levels can be a little wonky.
To make this level into a sanding beam,
Measure and cut a few strips of 320 grit sandpaper to width of the level.
Attach the sandpaper to one side of the level using double sided sticky tape.
The beauty of this design is this sandpaper starts to wear out, just peal it off and slap on some fresh strips.
Tool #3
A Fretboard guard. Tool make this tool you'll need a can of dr thunder, or other frosty beverage. Take the can directly from the fridge, and, while it's still cold and frosty, enjoy. The way soda should be enjoyed. Not out of a plastic cup from a flat room temperature 2 litre bottle and a bowl of half melted ice. No one actually enjoys drinking soda that way. Seriously, if you serve soda to your guests like that, should be ashamed of yourself. Just do yourself a favor, buy a 12 pack and leave it in the fridge overnight before your guests arrive. It doesn't cost that much more, and you don't run the risk of your guests making fun of you later on their RUclips channel...
Once you've finished your soda, cut the top and bottom off with a sharp knife. If you're into pockets knives, I recommend a spyderco or better for this task. If you're not into knives, I don't know just use a butter knife or something. Just make sure you wear protective gloves so you don't cut your hand off and sue me.
Okay next using your wife's favorite pair of scissors, cut down the center of the can. Now take that aluminum sheet you just cut out and roll it backwards to flatten it out. Take a rough measurement of how wide your frets are, and cut a square to that dimension. Lastly, fold the square in half, cut a small sliver out of the folded side, and there you have a fretboard guard!
*Prices mentioned in this video are subject to change without notice, please check the links below for current pricing.
Full disclosure: I am an Amazon Associate, and the links in this description are affiliate links, which means that if you make a purchase, it doesn't cost you any more money, but I will earn a commission. 
Видеоклипы
Dude isn’t just cheap with tools, he drinking Dr. Thunder😂
And here I was about to buy a cheap Squier and luthier tools and when I can be EVEN cheaper and buy DIY kits and make tools! I'm glad I found your channel
I'm glad you did too! Good luck with your project!
Banggood has some cheap luthier files....SAVE $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
Just get a used Mexico Strat. A few minor upgrades and you’ll have a real players guitar. 🎸
@@dennisnashville7114 or a Giannini strat from Reverb. My Giannini tele is terrific.
Stay cheap, my friend. Pennies make dollars and dollars make stacks. Hope your guitar turned out well.
What a fantastic video! I bought a 48" Aluminum Straight Edge, 24" aluminum level, mounting tape, and some 320 grit sandpaper to follow along with this. The results were fantastic! I have one side for my Strat and the other for my bass! I now have 3 very usable tools for my guitars! Thanks so much Dan!
PRO TIP: When creating the notches for the frets to sit in on the notched straight edge, I found it best to start with a triangle file to get a small groove, then move to a round file. It creates a perfect semi-circle and looks great and works even better! if you can, make sure to secure the material in a vise- it helps a lot!
Meanwhile on his wife's channel " Take your Hubbies best T-shirt & proccedd to polish the table in a circular motion, making sure to put plenty of wax on "/ LOL.
I took your advice and made my own tools. I then leveled my frets and did what nobody else ever mentioned and repeated the process on the higher frets. Wow! What a difference! I was able to get my action super low and made the guitar so comfortable to play. Thanks so much for the great advice! Really appreciate it!
Awesome man! Sounds like you did a great job with it!
Guns and Guitars yep...it was your help that put the final touch on that action! Thanks again!
I almost bought a notched straight edge thinking I couldn't make one myself. I had already done the leveling beam, and I just tape off the neck instead of doing the fret guard. I have never thought I could do a straight edge, but this morning before work, I'll be making a trip to my local Walmart, and project straight edge is on! Thank you for the excellent video.
John Morris glad you liked it! Yes masking tape works well, you just have to use a lot of it, especially if you do this often like me, so the guard is just a quick hack to save some time and money long term
Just wanted to drop a line to say how much I enjoy your channel. Lots of vids show how to do something cheaply but not professional, or pro but not cheap, and I feel like you do a really good job of sharing where and how we can save money vs. where it doesn't pay to go cheap! Keep up the great content!
I've been binge watching your videos for a week now. Love your content! Thanks for all you do!
Your videos are getting better and better. Good job. I might try this on my old Fender.
Nathan Millsap thanks man! Practice makes perfect. It's taken a while for me to dial in my systems, trying to get to the point where I spend no more than 2 hrs filming and 2 hrs editing per project. Almost there! Editing time is still in the high side. Filming I get better every time!
Damn, I just spent 40 minutes watching other videos where this one gave me more info in 6. Thank you for that! Time to go grind notches in my straight edge.
... Well, I wasn't specting this kind of awesome videos. I'm glad I found your channel dude... one more subscriber (from Chile), mate!
Thanks! and thanks for the sub!
Oh wn, ni ahí si estoy dos años después del comentario, pero de pana encontrar a otro chileno skskks
Really loving your vibe and your channel. Well done, good sir, well done.
Very Helpful, thanks for making this video !
good tips man , very cool channel
+sdmcustom woodworking thank you
Good vid dude. Perfect edit too. Straight to the point.
this channel packed a lot of useful tips - subbed!
One of the best channels I Have found !!!! Thank You!!!!!!
Brilliant video with great tips, thanks! 👍
A little tip for making the level sanding beam.... before attaching the sandpaper to the edge of the level, make sure it's flat by sanding it down. Tape/glue some sandpaper to a flat surface. A marble counter top is a good surface... just make sure the missus is not home. A large piece of glass could also work. Mark the edge of the level with a sharpie and then run the level across the sandpaper until the sharpie marks have disappeared. Repeat until the edge of the level is sanded perfectly flat. It won't take much to sand it flat , even with a metal level. Then attach the sandpaper to the edge of the level and level the frets.
Thanks for the smart tips here! Cheers.
Thanks, Dan. You've got some great ideas here. I look forward to using these on the 3 projects I have laying around.
Hey Dan, found your channel a couple of weeks ago and have been watching your videos. Great content! I have an old squier strat that was plagued with fret buzz and dead notes which I wasn't able to remedy without high action. I followed this video and some of your other videos making the simple tools. I leveled the frets and recrowned them. The thing plays like a different guitar! It's incredible. I now can get away with lower action, no dead frets and hardly any buzz. I just wanted to thank you for making this task seem so simple and doable and also for breathing new life into a crappy old guitar!
Good shit. Glad I found this channel.
Dan, these tutorials are EXCELLENT as well as entertaining, thank you!
Man, I forgot about your channel but this is exactly what I'm looking for! I remember watching a few of yoir videos when i was in highschool getting ready to attempt my first build
Awesome hacks man! Thanks for the killer vids! I'm so glad I recently found your channel, super cool and love your attitude and sense of humor!
Good stuff I like your work, subbed.
Bro, you are the bomb for all of us who have no easy access to these.
This has literally got to have been the most helpful 6 min. of video I have ever watched. Had superb instructions delivered fast but clearly. Most definitely subbing.
+Michael Alberts thanks for your sub!
Love your video. Running out right now to Harbor Freight Tools to get some luthier tools. You got a new subscriber.
Currently building an explorer kit and I can’t say enough just how helpful this, and your other videos have been so far. Thanks for all the content!
thank you and you're welcome!
Finally...you have a great way of doing these vids.. and Have some killer ideas on all of it.. just wanted to say that..I'm trying to start guitar build from home..I'm finding out somethings are pretty expensive toolswise and stuff...but I'm still diehard about tying it out... wish my dad was still alive to help me with this stuff..but cancer had other plans :( so now I'm relying on youtube..your definitely a huge help..so thanks sir. I'm a fan for sure!
How did I miss this video? This is the best, get down to business, kick ass video I have seen in a while. And I subscribe to your channel. Dude, you rock! Keep up the great work.
Thank you! And thanks for your sub!
Can't wait to try this
Great Job! Getting better and better.... Thanks Guns, Guitars and Guts
+Michael Stead thank you!
You are gold my friend. Very funny but so informative
I love this guy!! Very creative :)
YAY!!! Guns and Guitars!
its been sometime since i've found such a good and funny (at the same time serious and informative) channel! Thx man, i will be sticking around
+Corái Fiorini thanks! That's my goal :)
Thanks for the tips man.
Dan, thanks for confirming what I was about to do anyway! Love the channel. Thanks for making Luthierness available to the masses.
Thanks for your fast answer. You are correct. My confusion was in the use of the term "frets". I didn't realize you meant fret Wires not the space between them.
I know I can buy these tools for very cheap on Amazon but I still love watching these videos and I learn something every time. Such a great channel 🤘
props ! excellent hacks!!! TWO THUMBS UP !
Your videos are very informative and entertaining all in one!
great video man, clearly presented and love that you show how to use as well as how to make it.
Thanks!
Thanks Dan Great tips and advise. Keep up the excellent sharing...
+Ed Caffey will do! Glad you like it!
Thanks so much for the info. Love your channel 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Clear concise and useful! I have been doing fretwork for decades and rarely seen a video this straight (pun) to the point
with solid info for people looking to jump in DIY !
+Zero-Mod thanks for the compliments!
Brooo this is what nobody wants to talk about you’re mi hero!!! Cheers from chile 🇨🇱🇨🇱🇨🇱
Great video and lots of good fun watching it
Thanks!
Thanks for this video, these are all great ideas for the home guitar shop :).
Love this! I’m going to get me those tools and prepare myself for the diy guitar! Thanx bro!
Just want to say thank you for the awesome videos. You've inspired me to learn to actually sit down and learn to do these things myself.
MORE VIDS LIKE THIS PLEASE!! SUPER USEFUL!
Most Helpful DIY Channel!
THANKS A LOT DAN!
kick ass video! I like all these ideas. I do my own bass setups and these will come in very handy .
+TheMightybasstone awesome! Glad you liked it
This is a great series. Very cool and easy to understand. Thanks! Can't wait to build a Rick!
one of the best videos on fret leveling out there, can't wait to see how the bass ends up
+lewis walker thanks! Hopefully I'll get that video filmed this week!
I really dig your videos! I look forward to watching more and watching your channel grow :D
Thank you!
Thanks. Great ideas.
I've now seen all your guitar videos, great execution!! Eagerly waiting for more....
+Bryson Gainey thanks! The P bass build video is almost done, should be up soon!
Dude! Love your presentation style. I'm a newbie to guitar at 60 and busy reconditioning a Godin Artisan (by looks of my research). Found your channel looking for info on testing pickups and then this tools one. What a find! Thanks heaps mate 👍
Great info!
great stuff, thanks
Great video. I really like the way to give us the information. Fun to watch. I subscribed man. Keep up the great work.
+SnapPunch Robert thanks for the sub!
Subbed! Awesome channel thanks for the videos!!
This is the best diy fret leveling video I have seen. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
The most useful guitar DIY video ever. That levelling beam idea saved my guitar. Don't even think about bying "the real deal" on ebay.
Totally worth the watch 🤘🏼🤘🏼🤘🏼
Very Useful!! Thanks, dan..!! :) I Love The Contents!!
You're welcome!
Dude, best video on DIY tools i've seen. Cheers!
+radamesd81 thanks!
all the quirky snarky lines are great... keep it up!
Great stuff Dan and yes I'll be doing the cold can thing great tip, so thanks for that mate
+Dean Macka haha awesome!
great job,thanks.
This is a seriously great channel
Very clever, thank you.
What an awesome channel!! Your instructions are excellent, minimal BSing without being too boring, and unbelievably helpful, especially to cheapskates like me. Can't wait to do some fret work to my beater basses!
A lot of useful information here. I've had pretty good results using the self-adhesive style of sandpaper on the metal level to use in fret leveling.
a metal level is better than a plastic one!
Awesome video, thank you much!
you're welcome! glad you enjoyed it
Nice video! I liked the soda can fret cover the best. Brilliant!
You have a career here on RUclips bro. Your videos are helpful and easy to understand for everyone , so yeah, subscribed ! :D
Thanks for the sub!
Good job!
Thanks dude! I couldn't find the right notched straight edge for a used bass I got, and then I stumbled upon your video... this was easier (and MUCH cheaper) than I thought it would be lol
I am hooked on your channel. I keep learning more and more, and I have had fun setting up my bass all by myself. I can hear the positive results. Thank you!!!
You’re welcome!
I discovered this channel today and I'm surprised I haven't heard of it before. This is a great channel.
It a new channel, just launched it this year!
First video of yours I've seen. Really cool stuff man. I dig your energy and your approach. Well done. I just sub'd. Thanks for the channel.
Hell yeah !! Now to test this method on my friends guitars 🎸 LOL great video man!! Thanks
+Luis Hernandez you're welcome, good luck!
Very informative. Well done Dan!
Thanks!
wow. tnx for this video. big help brother.
Just subscribed. Great stuff, Dan!
+Limadito Porlamenesunda thanks for your sub!
great tips thanks.
Nice tips thanks,
The tip to double up on disks on the Dremel to make them last is worth the price of admission. Going to mangle a straight edge as soon as I can.
Great video! I am assembling a Solo headless guitar kit right now and it needed a lot of work. I had to lower the bridge over 6 mm!! To do so I had to route out the bridge cavity. Once I did that, I realized that the frets weren't level. This video helped me learn how to make some basic tools needed to get the guitar in good working order. I enjoy your video style, too!
Thanks again!!!
gold..thanks !
You're thoughts about a can are so true!!!
+Jamie Beattie right? Stupid two liter bottles were the worst invention ever
Awesome tip with the sanding beam
Thank you for these tips! I made a fret guard with two pieces of plumbers tape held in position with masking tape. Thanks for the idea!