Installing Guitar Frets With A Hammer

There are two main ways to install frets; I use a deadblow fretting hammer from StewMac. This video provides some tips and tricks that have helped me as a beginner.
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#ggbo21

[@Furtheronmusic]

I'm about to do my first ever fret installation on my own GGBO 2021 build.
Thanks for the really clear details. I was going to carve my neck first but I think you've convinced me otherwise now.

[@zwitchguitars]

Yeah, it just makes sense to me. When you keep the square edge, you can do the fretboard inlays, the side dots and the frets without any wiggly surface.
When you get the frets on, you can put a softish piece of wood down (like a scrap pine 1x6) for the frets to rest against. Then when you clamp down the neck, the frets will dent that softwood, leaving your frets unharmed

[@zwitchguitars]

Good luck!

[@ebbtiderecords3767]

Great channel!
Thank you!

[@nikoniko893]

Your frets went it much easier than mine. I need to enlarge my fret slots as it took quite a bit of pounding to get the 1st fret to sit flush.

[@zwitchguitars]

One thing to watch for is whether the slot is too narrow or too shallow. If it’s too narrow, you could put a backbow into the neck. If the slot is too shallow, the fret will never really sit flush to the board

[@hakancarlsson2881]

Very well explained and nicely shown! 👍

[@niazshah.musician]

if the one of the fret isn't straight, mean a little bend to left .. is there a solution for it without removing the fret ? .. i mean like pushing it with hammer or something ?

[@zwitchguitars]

Not sure what you mean, but I would assume the answer is no. Replacing a single fret is probably easier, and also gives you an opportunity to fix the fret slot (assuming that's the reason why the fret is crooked in the first place)

[@larsdan]

Coming along nicely!

[@zwitchguitars]

Thanks! Broke my streak yesterday and made my first mistake, but I got a good 60% complete, which is great for my second scratch build

[@larsdan]

Bummer! That’s excellent. I’m on my second and have already made 3 😧. Looking forward to how you finish it!

[@ChefEivar]

@@zwitchguitars why does it look like you didn’t radius the fretboard

[@zwitchguitars]

@@ChefEivar I bought a pre-slotted fretboard that comes radiused to 12"

[@joelbennett9014]

Nice background music, and nice work too 😎👍

[@zwitchguitars]

Thanks!

[@zinhosalaverry8294]

Nice video!
I'm starting a guitar project and I would like to know if can I fit some 10 inch radius pre cut frets into a 12 inch radius fretboard since I don't have a fret bender. Is that possible?

[@zwitchguitars]

Thanks!
If I’m understanding you correctly, that should work. As long as the radius is tighter for the wire than the fretboard, when you hammer it in you’ll get both the downward and slightly outward holding pressure

[@matro951]

Was the neck brand new never fretted orcwas the neck a refret??

[@zwitchguitars]

Yes, the neck was new, made by me

[@matro951]

@@zwitchguitars did you cut slots first or just hammer them in??

[@zwitchguitars]

@@matro951 Yes, you need to have fret slots cut first

[@curtiseverett1671]

subbed

[@sylvainleclerc3785]

Towel under is a bad idea.

[@zwitchguitars]

Why?

[@sylvainleclerc3785]

It bounces. I made a sort of cradle in cork. Way better.@@zwitchguitars

[@zwitchguitars]

@sylvainleclerc3785 Sure, so not bad but not optimal. Did the best I can with what I had at the time