How To Polish Frets On Your Guitar (THE RIGHT WAY)
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- Опубликовано: 12 сен 2024
- This Is the way to polish frets
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How to polish frets on a guitar correctly.
I love this fret polishing system so much that I became a dealer after I shot this video.
Just don't use steel wool to do this. You will Wreck Your Pickups
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When I was starting out, my guitar was all crappy and shit, and every time I picked up a guitar from someone who had a better guitar, be it acoustic or eletric, it just felt amazing and I wanted my guitar to feel like that. Saying young players don't care or notice this stuff is nonsense. Put the effort on every guitar, everyone deserves it.
I can believe they might notice the difference and have a preference, even if they don't have the experience to pinpoint exactly what they're noticing.
That's true! When I was just starting out, I had no one to ask, no one to tell me good tips. I had a cheap, shitty guitar, that was still okay, good enough. But I didn't even understand that there were different types of pickups, that they sounded different. Also, I used way too heavy string gauge, I think 12's on standard tuning. Things like that probably set me back years.
Costs more money for every minute spent making them. Multiply that times the number of guitars they build and it adds up.
You have no idea how badly I needed this video a dear friend of mine had passed away and left me a guitar I did everything I could to get the Frets dressed and get rid of all the buzzing after about four different tries and getting some professional help we got rid of nearly all the buzzing but I noticed when I play the fritz themselves feel rough on my fingers for some reason and I couldn't figure out why even though I took the file and tried to grind down any Burrs very lightly I had no idea that this is what I need it's definitely what I need to do thank you so much
Cute guitar! GREAT close-up camera work. Thanks for not playing any annoying background music.
Yeah I forgot to use it. We will be using it in the future just for you ;)
A few years late, but for those who would use steel wool, use only 0000. Remove the neck if it's a bolt-on. If not, cover the body with a trash bag and tape it.
To clean up the shavings, use a magnet. This'll do majority of the work. Follow-up with tape and vacuum if you wish.
Work with lots of lights! You really need to see the fretboard clearly. It's like performing an operation, you're the doctor and the guitar is your patient. You're gonna need all those lights.
Or just use this stuff and not have to do all that Messing around.
“This is MY experience. This is NOT anecdotal.”
so it's alright to use on a acoustic Guitar?
@@architsalvi144 Yes, should be good on acoustic
This guy lost all credibility with that statement….
@@Coty72I found it hilarious
I’ve moved to “Frine” by music nomad same principle but you get a tube of compound and the protectors. If you feel you must use wool try brass wool it’s sold for cleaning stainless etc on boats it’s non magnetic and won’t rust it’s just as messy as steel wool but cleans up easier
I’m into Swiss watches so I already had Cape Cod polishing cloths to polish the scratches away from any of my bracelets that have polished center links. It’s safe on stainless steel, nickel, gold, platinum and some other metals. I decided to give it try on my rusty frets (guitar was sitting in the case for 2 years after a long session). It’s an old guitar as well. An ESP from 1998. I taped off the wood and after doing it a couple of times, I wipe off the frets leaving them as good as new. I used the Dunlop grey micro cloths as well.
I agree about steel wool. A beginner can ruin the frets if they don’t use it properly. It can also mess up the pickups. If they’re covered then it’s not a big problem.
Hi, just looked up Cape Cod and it seems to be promising. Was wondering though, how many packs of cape cod will I need if I plan to use it on a 24 fret bass?
5:40 I timed it: one fret took 46 seconds. When you include the time of switching, 22e fret would take about half an hour.
Not too bad. A good investment of time for a better guitar experience.
Yup half hour sounds right! I dread it everytime, but the payoff is super satisfying.
@Not Expat Joe Restringing should take no more than 5 minutes. Only reason a string change would take longer is if you’re having to completely reset the action and re-intonate.
I'm still using Nevr-Dull because I have more cans of that than I'll ever work through. I do have a small tube of the Music Nomad Frine but I've not tried it out yet. I really like the fret guards more than the taping approach.
Me too on neverdull. I mix with mothers wheel polish. Works on my frets and wheels.
"After i shot this I became a dealer" Yeah...that's how uncle Escobar grows his workforce.
Ash Scott lol!!! Well they are THAT good
😂
@@DylanTalksTone the link on your site doesn’t work anymore for this product
I just did one of those new Epiphone ES-335 Inspired by Gibson with the Amazon micro mesh pack 1500 to 12000. They work great. 6-8 rubs each fret each grit. It had really rough tops and using the mesh grit range built up perfectly smooth frets.
For maintenance shine-ups I use Gorgomyte.
About steel whool, simply unscrew the four screws of the neck so that pickups are safe. On a Gibson, remove the pickups.
Micro mesh works really well for this as well.
I just use a dremel tool with a buffing pad and some polishing compound for delicate metals. Clean up with a soft rag. Quick and it works fine.
I used to really enjoy the Dunlop Fret polishing cloth until I realized it's just 8000 grit micromesh paper. So I bought a pack of 8 sheets of 12"x12" 8000 grit for like $10 and now I think I'm set for life lol
Do you just start with 8000 grit? And does it clean the gunk and oxidization off?
@@natem9890 its polished a d makes your frets shine it can also clean basic dirtiness the oxidation I got out with a microfiber that was included in my dunlop guitar fretboard care kit
Such an underrated, under-subbed channel. What an excellent resource. Thanks Dylan.
Enki Ea thank you so much
Great tips Dylan, I've watched half a dozen video's where guys have used steel wool and I agree with your experience and although I've done it that way, I am no longer going too. So extra special thanks for that!
There are SO many "experts" out there who believe the antiquated thinking that, " Steel Wool was good enough for my Grandfather, it must be good enough for me!"
steel wool is only ok on drum hardware... old hardware not attached to a drum, like a stand or something LOL.
"This is my own experience, this is not anecdotal"
I don't think you know what anecdotal means.
😆
I was gonna post this but you beat me to it...
In my anecdotal personal experience a lot of people say words without knowing their meaning, especially big words, it make them sound all photosynthesis and stuff.
@@Overit5000 lmao
He meant it's his experience, not something he heard around
(But you're still right hahah)
One thing that never seems to get mention anymore - wipe down the fretboard when you’ve finished playing. Frets won’t tarnish as quickly if you clean off the salty sweat.
But how can I wipe with the strings on?
Just run a cloth under the strings?
@@JAF2991 exactly…up & down a few times, makes ya feel good.
Thank you for this. I started playing bass almost a year ago and noticed a bunch of oxidation on my frets and didn’t even know what was going on but I’m going to buy this product and do it myself thank you. Hopefully it can bring back the frets to life I’ve only had it for a year but it looks so dirty and I just realized it. 😩
I just used this kit to polish the frets on a brand new tele that felt good, but a little scratchy here and there especially when bending notes ... and WOW, what a difference. The thing just glides now. I highly recommend this. It's simple to do (even I could do it!) and has a big impact I think.
I tried your method today! Results were amazing!
A couple of years ago, I bought a red Epiphone SG Muse to have a low output guitar for fuzz. The frets were super dirty. I bought a product called Fret Erasers. Once I got it up to 2000 grit, I switched to wet dry. It played really well after.
I have been told to use a piece of leather glued to a small block of wood. The ole barber shop straight razor strop method, works great.
Yes. Add green metal polish to the leather strope.
This is also used by woodworkers to polish chisels and hand plane irons after leveling.
You sir are a professional yapper
Thanks!! I definitely try
Funny that I'm looking at this video getting tips to fix the same exact guitar exact color.
Thanks!
Dylon is worth the time to watch for sure! I work on guitars mostly low cost hanger queens form the pawn shops, and he's right on about what I find is wrong with most of these guitars. We call em guerilla guitars because it's takes a guerilla to play em until they are set up properly.
I also help a lot of people learn to set up themselves! That really improves their playing believe it or not
I have used steel wool to polish my frets before, however even though I taped off the pickups, when I was done I passed a powerful magnet all over the guitar and all areas of my work surface to collect any loose fibres.
@Parvis If you quickly pass a magnet over the front of the guitar, I highly doubt that.
I got my first bass this year second hand, just put new strings on it today and it's mind blowing just how different it sounds. I am so keen to give that fretboard a clean tomorrow and make this thing brand new
Honestly the best feeling
Steel wool works just fine too... all you need to do is cover your pickups with some masking tape to keep them clean :)
Run a magnet over the fretboard perhaps if any dramas ?
6:49 when u finally hit that one and a half step bend
Anectdotal means based on personal experience, so your opinion was anecdotal. Steel wool is acceptable only if you're working on a neck that is separated from the body.
Never mind the haters I just used the product myself and works, feels and looks great. Used it on a used guitar I picked up and believe me the previous owner did not take care of it.
Thanks for the advice on the steel wool. Live and learn.
Done +100 fretjobs with steel wool. Never EVER had a problem. just cover the pickups and remove all steel before removing the pickup covers. Today i went to my local guitar shop. They even told me to keep using steel wool. And they btw your kit doesnt come with a pad for each fret. They are supposed to be used multiple times.. Even says that on the box.
Yeah. I have been using the same kit for like a year. We mention that in the video.
Maybe two kits in a year.
Thanks for good advice! Greetings from Poland!
that was cool. did you ever use a dremel with a polishing pad to get the fret like a mirror shine? if so what did you think?
I always use a Dremel polishing pad with a bit of steel rubbing compound for polishing mine after a re-crowning.....works great!!....Note: Be sure and protect the fretboard when using a Dremel though!:)
Absolutely. I use some 3m ebony compound. If your lucky your fret board is lacquered and you can hit the whole thing. If not protect that fingerboard
Just got the lizard spit polishing kit today from Amazon worked great
Thanks, I watch em all. ADVICE, Try to smile, just a little, once in a while. I love your videos, makes me feel less, like a guitar dummy.
I’m buying a 1000 dollar guitar that has nickel and not SS frets unfortunately, but this actually helps me out. I’ll be buying this kit. Thanks for sharing.
Many ways to do this... I agree that there is no need to take the risk with steel wool.
For heavy scratches I use sanding paper in different grits, fret rubbers, and if the neck is already taped up, I do the last polish with a polishing felt wheel bit and a small amount of metal polish on a rotary tool ("Dremel"). Gets super shiny.
Thank you so much for this video. I'm glad I found your channel! I subscribed.
I had to do this on my daughter's guitar. I used mirco-mesh.
I just tape the entire fret-board leaving the frets open and use a dremel with metal polish. Better than new
I'm just top cheap to buy a Dremel :p
@Nickhead87 did you watch the video?
Dremels can heat up the frets and cause them to heat the adhesive and lift the frets if you're not careful.
I LOVE your videos Dylan, they have helped me so much. Thank you!
Thanks so much!!
GREAT VIDEO MAN!!! just saved my show
Hi Dylan. I just found your channel. I subscribed. Keep up the good work
Agreed. I've seen so many pickups ruined by steel wool particles.....
Thats why I always taped a bag over my pickups and worked in a sitting position so the steel fibers fell to the ground, but I’m thinking about using this instead.
Thanks for posting this!!
Haha I bought that same mini-strat for my daughter a couple years ago...actually plays great and sounds reasonable for an instrument at that price point!
Yeah watching that metal fret guard slide back and fourth as your rubbing the fret is making me nervous, maybe not a big deal with a cheap squire mini guitar neck .. but I wouldn’t want to use that on my high end custom Birdseye maple neck, I’d recommend Stew Mac extra low tack tape between the frets .. yeah it’s more of a pain .. but better safe than sorry.
Tape is far superior:)
Great video as always, frets look shiny shiny :)
I just fixed up an old guitar and the frets feel a little high. Would this help? I’d like to give them a light sanding before polishing, any tips? Great video btw!
I live in the UK. I use Brasso and a fret protector like the one you are using. Never used anything else. Thoughts? Any good? Have I been an idiot for the last 35 years?
Any metal polish is fine. I use "Duraglit".
It put white steaks on my fret board. I taped off the fret board. And the oils still leaked through. Lucky they were cheap guitars.
Great video Dylan, thank you much!😊
Been using wool for years. No issues. Just don't be an idiot.
I used to use 0000 steel wool but switched to 2000 grit wet/dry sandpaper. No filings to clean up and it does a better job. After that I follow up with about a 20 second per fret rubdown with chrome polish and I'm left with mirror finished frets.
I'm no expert, but when I have the fretboard taped, I use a car polish called "Nu Finish" and apply it with an old typewriter eraser.
These things look like they do more with less mess and less effort.
And easier than a dremel.
Just watched this informative video with my real eyes. My normal eyes.
But were they your bare eyes?
Thanks for your informative video, this is great, because of guitar repair shops that are hard to get your rig serviced these days, I'm waiting for my 1st Guitar a Les Paul Lazarus to arrive and want to go over the whole guitar and make sure it is a comfort to play. I have ordered all the necessary accessories and want to polish the frets and condition the fret board and adjust string and pickup height .....etc. put some new strings 10's slinkies
Holy Smokes! LOL! I was about to buy some steel wool to get some of the factory RUST off of my higher fret wires... Gonna order that kit now! Thank you! Oh, your link to the lizard spit is broken... as of Jan 29 / 2:21PM.
I just subscribed, because you're good, and make sense... but I ain't ringing no bell!
Step one..install on all your guitars jumbo stainless steel fretwire.....
There is no step two.....
Still gotta polish them,, I have them and in polish the unevenness out of the crowns. This was on a brand new neck.
Bingo! I bought the tallest widest bass fret wire i could crom stewmac. I used my drill press and pressed them in carefully using straight edges. I did not have to go through the pain in the ass leveling and recrowning, just dressed the ends and thats it. Stevie ray had bass fret wire in his necks and youve heard his guitar. They do need to be polished once in a while but i just use a buffing wheel.
I dream of carbide frets.
Very helpful thank u!!
Sage advice on the steel wool
I use steel wool every time to apply fret board oil on both of my prs custom 24’s. Never ever had a problem. I don’t think you’re being totally honest here on this issue. Idk why you said this is a problem.
LOL!
I have always used an impregnated cloth meant for cleaning trumpets, trombones etc on my frets, and not often. Just held a piece of thin card either side of the fret or improvised a fingerboard gaurd with a discarded cigarette packet. I see many You Tubers, scrubbing their necks with steel wool , scotchbrite pads etc . I would say that's maybe a last resort on a neck , well away from the body. I saw one guy scrubbing a Les Paul neck with wire wool ,the actual fingerboard grime "accumulated over three decades" , was that really necessary? Wouldn't that damage the wood and the inlays ? Interesting channel btw , Subscribed 👍
I've got the same raph surface on my squier tele bullet fsr that I just purchased. Thanks so much for suggesting this kit! I was wondering what is the name of the stand that you use for the guitar neck rest? Also any specific and affordable tool /kit you can suggest to shape up the sharp fretboard edges? Thanks in advance.
That idea will work to put a shine on old scuffed frets but if you do an actual fret crown level you will need to do alot more work involving your choice of a few different meterials like various proper grade sand papers or steel wools or fret polishing pads. If you dont your frets will feel grindy. But his idea did a nice job of shinning up those old frets
That’s why the video is about “how to polish frets”
Still never seen an actual guitar tech use steel wool after fretwork. Almost all use varying grit sandpapers and a polishing compound. I’ve also seen some techs who prefer using sanding film (sandpaper grit running from 15,000, 20,000, 30,000, 40,000, and 60,000) instead of a polishing compound and got the same results. Polishing compound just saves time and is cheaper, but some guys like putting in the elbow grease.
Fun fact: 0000 steel wool also removes more fret material than 4000 grit sandpaper. I mistakenly used steel wool on my first jazz bass and de-magnetized the pickup. I knew to tape off the fretboard and pickups, but I still got shavings into the pickup housing.
New subscriber! Great videos and I am looking forward to seeing more guitar information from you.
Thanks for the tip! Much appreciated! Great little kit! 👍🏻
hello, dylan. lately i am bending and breaking 1st strings too often. do you reckon it would be a technique problem or a fret problem? it did not happen before. i ve started to learn to do rakes before hitting the bended string...
You're probably restringing it wrong. Winding it up wrong creates tension points which is a lot worse if you're using a cheap bridge. See where the strings are actually breaking.
@@noabsolutelynot3660 the string break right under the finger at around 8th 10th fret. i don t wind strings it s auto block tuners
Amazing video as usual!
Not saying you're wrong about the steel wool or anything, but I saw a video of Jeff Kiesel from Kiesel guitars putting tape over the pickups and uses the steel wool on a maple fretboard (not on the frets, on the wood itself) and the guy is a pro and builds crazy guitars, could you address that?
absolutely.... he's doing it wrong.... jist because people do things a certain way for a long time and anecdotally they have good results, doesnt make it the right way.
@@DylanTalksTone you saw the video I was talking about?
Thank you lord varys
Should definitely do this to anything guitar center since they have been played to death.
Sold! Thanks this was helpful.
Great informative video. Big thanks.
Great demo Dylan. I'm gonna order a couple of these for me 2 Electric guitars. I would like to clean the frets on my acoustic collection. Would this product work with them?
Many thanks from London
thanks for this video im going to polish my acoustic ones next go around when i change the strings
Several low budget guitars and necks ive recieved in the last couple years had even finish on the frets.
What's inside the oil (ingredients) and how does it scent?
Can i use braso metal polish ??
i would think so
First of all, steel wool is fine if you remove your neck. Frets shine like nothing else. It doesn't damage wood if the wood is taped off. Not having to use compounds is important when you're working with frets that have been glued in. Unless you know how the glue and the compounds react with each other 100%, don't fuck around with it.
Secondly, how well rounded are the edges on both sides of those protectors? I've never found one that doesn't have a razor sharp side that can and WILL cut into your fingerboard the first time you use it unless you're using the smooth side. If you're gonna do something, take your time and do it right. Use tape.
I've used 0000# steel wool to finish up my fret jobs for the past 18 years. I just tape off the fingerboard and pickups nice and tightly. Some compressed air blows it off just fine. Can't say I've ever had a client come back with pickup problems. Thank you for the video. This is one of those jobs where you are constantly learning.
so steel wool can be used for an acoustic guitar ?
I like the fret polishing kit from Music Nomad better.
Nice work man. Channel called the tone lounge recommend you. Cheers!
Dylan, love the videos - always great insight. Q?: What is your preferred tool for crowning frets? Specific crowning tool, triangle file, other? Thanks 👍
I am a fan of the triangle file after a crowning tool
Truth be told, I hate fretwork lol. I don't tell people I know how to do it, because I don't want to do it... or as little as possible lol
A good triangle file with safe edges is what I ended up with after buying several cheap so called crowning files from China that were all useless. The one I use is from Crimson Guitars in the UK and works great, but I am sure there are many other options elsewhere - I tried grinding safe edges on a jeweller's triangle file and the end result was acceptable to use but not as great and convenient as the dedicated file I bought which just feels right.
Once you get comfortable using a triangle file it gives you a lot of control to shape the fret.
Stewmac has expensive specialized crowning files that probably make sense investing in if you are a guitar tech doing several guitars per day and the time they save you compared to a triangle file is important.
What oil would you recommend on basswood?
Is it okay to use steel wool to polish my acoustic frets
Great stuff thanks
Thank you!!
Basically buy lizards kit!
Or go out to your garage and grab some 2k (4k if u have it) grit sandpaper and Mcguire s buffing compound a rag and some masking tape. Same difference guys your choice
Hey I just purchased my first guitar. The small e and b makes this irritating rattle noise when you are on the first fret. Would polishing them help?
You should look at setting the action and relief first. If you aren't comfortable with doing it yourself almost all retailers/instrument shops will offer a "setup" service for guitars at varying prices.
If polishing with steel wool is a bad idea, how about when recrowning the frets?
Does it smooth the frets or it only polish it? And how long until you need to repolish the frets given you only play the guitar rarely.
When you polish the frets it smooths them out. I have several guitars that go for months without being played and they have been polished only once in all the years I've had them. Climate has a lot to do with it. If you live in a humid area the frets will corrode quicker.
Wow what a blanket statement. Never use steel wool. I find steel wool works great. I have used steel wool on all my bolt on guitars. Just remove the neck before you buff the frets and clean your work surface(meticulously) before putting your neck back on.
I have a brand new ibanez rg it makes a scratchy rubbing sound when bending against fret is this the solution also a tech at guitar center wanted me to try steel wool I dont want to mess up my guitar
Steel wool is good, just cover the pickups and you’re good to go
Steel wool can work but wont be as good and you will have to know what kind of wool to use you will need more than just 1 kind. IMHO steel wool could never do as detailed and quility of a job as real fret polishing pads. And use all 9 for professional results.
Will you achieve the same results with stainless steel frets?
Longtime user of Lizard Spit Nutz lube, I can verify their products are worthwhile! Not sure why exactly but Fender/Squier lower cost guitars definitely seem to have the worst fret jobs by far, from finish to fret ends. Love their guitars but I know they're always going to need a lot of fretwork to be playable.
I had the same problem with Elixir strings fraying off their finish due to frets and winding up in my pickup cavities, just like steel wool. I don't think that adds a long term detriment to the pickups but I hate having to clean out the cavities after using strings that are ungodly expensive and actually very cheap quality strings. The ePTFE coating seems to pickup static electricity and the pickups become like a vacuum for the teflon dust. Just my experience. Plus I hate paying $13-$14 for a set of glorified GHS Boomers too!
I've had success using Scotch Brite on frets.
How ?
@@Ash-fm6ym about the same methods when using any polishing media, use guard to protect fretboard, and polish the frets.