The UK Made Crimson Fret Leveling and Fret Crowning Files
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- Опубліковано 6 жов 2024
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Fret leveling files are the quick and easy way to get a perfectly level set of frets no matter what the radius of the fretboard you're working on is. Many of the new guitars (like those built here at Crimson Guitars) have compound radii which provide better playability and even vintage guitars that have had their frets leveled a few times will more than likely end up with a non-standard radius. It is at this point where radius blocks become useless and you need a leveling file.
We also make fretboard leveling files, fret rockers, notched straight edges and are constantly creating new luthiers tools in the UK.
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Stay tuned and stay awesome!
Day to day I'm on my own most of the time but when we need to make a new batch of tools, templates etc I have several people I trust who come in to help..
That's the reason I started making my own, the Stew Mac one costs too much once you've paid shipping etc and didn't last long enough.. I made the mistake of using the one I had on stainless steel frets and it chipped half the teeth!? Anyway, these are made using really good quality double cut files.. either 1st or 2nd cut (medium or fine) and both would last for years if used properly (ie pick up on the backstroke) and they will also have absolutely no problem with stainless frets!
With the help or your excellent videos I have performed a successful fret level and crowning of my Yamaha MSG Deluxe. A bit of a heart stopping job, but I took it very slowly and carefully.
Thanks again for your excellent instruction videos without which I would never have had the confidence to do it.
That is wonderful to hear. Happy to have helped.
I agree! The concave files are a pain. I've tried them all, this includes all the various diamond ones. Lately my shoulder has been hurting because of the back and forth motion of crowning. I think I should go back to moving slowly and concisely in one direction. I stopped using small files or triangular files because they felt too tedious - too small. I like your file here and I probably will buy one from you. Good job and nice tool!
I purchased some inexpensive fret tools on line for my first fret job. Horrible experience. Then I purchased this file along with the traditional three sided file from Crimson. It is a great tool and feels good in your hand. I was able to repair the first project and will do many more in this tools life.
Following your instructions, I manager to level all the frets in a 1995 Stratocaster, and it worked perfectly :)
I am new to the fret leveling game, just bought one of these tools. Cant wait to get started on my guitar project.
Awesome! Good luck with it and let me know how it goes. If you're interested I've just finished posting a step by step guide to how to level and profile frets on my blog and Crimson Guitars.. The text will be shipping with all our fret levelling files from now. Thanks again for keeping in touch!
I agree 100%!
CG guitar tool looks so practical and efficient compared to any other tool one may use for crowning.
I've done a few videos on fret leveling where I show close ups of the process but basically yes, leave a line about 0.8 of a millimeter wide along the top of the fret, the she's of this week round over as you polish after profiling..
I like your neck support tool used during the filing process for fret levelling. Your left hand. Handy device. 🤣. You made some good points about the drawbacks about shaped crowning files. Learned something today.
Just about to use your latest fret levelling tool for the first time. So beautifully made and love the diamond cut levelling surface. Cannot pretend I'm not nervous as it's my first time so I will be gentle and take it slowly. However, your video has given me the confidence to sort this new(old) guitar out. Worst case scenario I have to get it refretted which it might need anyway, but this is an attempt to sort it out before going down the nuclear pathway. Cheers for the vid and great gear Crimson 👍
That's right, keep filing away, making sure to take an even amount at each point of the fret, until all the marker is removed.. them you can start re-crowning and polishing.. enjoy your buzz free life :)
I thought it was my fault that I couldn't get those concave files to work for ages, then I realized they were just rubbish! We're making our own 3 corner fret crowning files as well now to compliment the fret leveling files and other tools, we'll have a full range soon! thanks for watching!
Yes they are crap. I got one recently and tried to level a buzzing fret on the bass e string and did not feel comfortable using it at all, and it just flattened the fret a bit rather than rounding it. I shall do the job with a flat needle file most likely. I can see what I'm doing with a needle file or small metal file. It's the first time I've done work on frets and I really don't want to fk it up lol.
I've noticed! You've released one video in the past three weeks!
Regardless, I'm here watching every one of your videos and I wait in anticipation for the next full guitar build series! I've already sadly watched every other one documented on UA-cam.
You do great work! I'd love to see your thoughts and processes concerning bass guitars. I'd actually love to see you build one.
This will be touched on in the next two complete guitar build series, when they'll be ready for release though I'm not too sure.. time is running away from me at the moment!?
I'd love to see a video on how you make your own hardware! (Bridges, etc.) I can recall you mentioning that in a video once.
Just ordered one and some fret erasers!! Cant wait!
Thank you for your support, I really appreciate it. B
@@CrimsonCustomGuitars My pleasure! 🙌
This is the problem with trying to talk and work at the same time.. you certainly should support the neck when leveling frets and you'll notice I realized that the neck rest wasn't there and brought one out when I started to properly go at the frets. I must say though that with files these fine I'm not putting much pressure on the neck, as long as I hold the headstock up then it shouldn't distort or cause any issues.
wonderful, thank you for sharing. wishing you well and hope you do splended.
About to get cracking with my bubinga fret profiling tool :D I can't wait. There will be a review for sure! By the way, it looks absolutely beautiful!
I agree with you on those concave crowning files.
Not accurate at all and messed up my leveling job.
I'll stick to my old school 3 corner files
Works like a charm!
I really like what I see you doing though
I love the one tool does all idea :)
I love all the time you spend doing those Videos...i'm wondering if you do also Compound Radius leveling..and how you go about it?.....Thanks a million again
Yes, I wasn't being critical for the sake of it, it's easy to critisise! I wish everyone on youtube would understand that. It's much more difficult to do a better job. That is why I was watching. The hardest part is crowning the frets after leveling I find no matter what file you use it's not easy to get a good result especially without damaging the neck or frets.
I very freaking love your channel. Im glad I found it. Now I dont have to disassemble my baby to see how it was built, its enough watching these cool videos :-D
Yes, they are made here at Crimson Guitars.. it's the only way I can guarantee the quality and straightness of the tools, I find it very hard to outsource anything to be honest.. is being a control freak really such a bad thing?
Respect. Learned a lot.
Ya know what would be awsome is a sticker sheet that has pre cut masking strips for the common scale lengths. I know it's not that hard to use masking tape but it does take up time and something like that would probably sell quite well on your end and it would serve a purpose.
Nice job on the frets with the new leather tool. What do you think of using the D’Addario fret polish system after leveling and crowning the frets? Can you do a comparison test and tell us what you think?
did you buy the option with the fret crowning edges? That will allow you to start rounding over the frets, although a dedicated crowning file is always better for that job..
Yeah I saw them but I didn't know what to do with the top of the fret haha. Especially because there are so many files, and some seem to also take some of the top of the fret. It made me a little bit confused, and I don't want to cock up a fretjob near the end.
Thanks for the quick answer :-)
your videos are superb and your skills are awsome man complements
Don't I know it, you should see the comments my relicing video gets.. I've had actual death threats over that one :) What type of files have you tried to use for crowning? You may find a rectangular file like the ones we make for fret end dressing may work better for you, it has a bigger surface to hold and I feel more comfortable with that..
Uploaded my review. I can also make a more in-depth review if need be, because I will be doing more work with this file very soon. -T
Been waiting to get paid since they came to the store to be able to buy one... still a few days to go...
nice video, I dont play guitar but enjoyed it anyway.
Thank you , My order will be with you soon , ha ha are you sure?.
That's a multi tool for less than US to UK shipping, Sorry to lower the tone but i think the saying is "get it up ye!"
Again thanks!
How do you ensure that the first fret is sanded to the same level as the rest? It obviously only gets a small amount of the filing board
I'm not sure, but I think he mentioned making them 'in-house'.
You have a great job, very interesting:)Thanks for sharing:)
I have one of these fret leveling files, but unfortunately the wood grip and file parted ways before I could even use it - looked like they stuck together using very little glue.
I'm going to try to fix that with epoxy, hopefully that'll work.
Hey! At 1:27 you say 'Where there is marker left, you know you've got a low fret', I presume at that point you keep on filing in the same manner until ALL the marker is gone? THANKS! Just bought your cant wait to be buzz-free
one file to control them all, one file to solve it all.
So I would really like to learn how to level and crown frets. But I don't know where and I wont try it it on my beloved guitar. Any suggestion on how to learn it??? Cheers
Sir I Love the videos but can you please roll of below 80hz as my monitors go mad as I listen in my studio.. Acetastic through.... Guess I should listen on the little genelecs. Tulip wood thoughts???
Oh so we don't need your other specific tools for the fret end finishing ;) I'll just by the fret leveller then haha
Great video^^/ thank you for the friendship!!
Yes I did! I also bought a crowning file.
But I wondered how you keep the frets round while not taking too much off. Do you leave a small piece flat on top?
how would you rate it to StewMac's fret levelling file? Mine's been a godsend to me but it's starting to wear out now so need an alternative that doesn't involve me ordering from America as per usual!
Hi! I've bought a fret file from you some years ago. Really great file! The model included an alan screw in the back... I always wanted to ask you what it is for..
When using this, are you not concerned that the downward pressure is bending the neck slightly and this affeting how true you get the fret tops? Thanks.
I have a quick question, how do you ensure even filing with a short 6” file? Any specific techniques/motions or any other tips? Thanks!
I should mention that the frets above the 11th will be higher and cause buzzzz so file them lower so you figure it out for yourself you.
we've made several really in depth video tutorials on how to level and crown frets, check them out on UA-cam or go to our online guitar building school the Crimson Guild at the Crimson Guitars website..
Does the shortness of the file ensure overall accuracy over 20 + frets?
I’m still wondering this. Have you ever found out if it’s ok to use such a short file (6.x inches)??
Is the profiling version of this still a product? I could not find it on your website.
Where can I by the files that you are using? the one that gets rid of the sharpe edges?
- How did you put or paste yung Leveling file in your handle, sir?
What glue did you use, sir?
I have a question if you don't mind sharing. You mentioned in the video that this tool and the marker will allow you to see the frets that are too high, as well as the ones that are too low. Let's say you go through and redress the frets, using the tool and the marker and you discover a couple of low frets. How do you deal with that? I apologize if this is in one of the other videos and you've covered this... I'm going through them now. Many thanks! I greatly appreciate all this wonderful info!
Depends how low the low fret is. You can lower all your frets to that one, or replace the low one with a new one and level it to the rest.
Dave Lembo Thanks for the info!
What's the grit of this file
I am puzzled. At 1.10 you start to level the frets without putting proper support under the length of the neck. Hence the neck then bends as you are trying to level the frets. This is contradicting what you are trying to achieve. I would not want to level my frets like this.
just wondering it seems like you always say ''our'' or ''we'' do you have any assistant or do you work alone?
I just bought this file, but I have a question. How do you get the rounded frets with a flat file? Or do you get a more trapeze-shape like fret?
What is the difference between using a leveling file and a sanding beam?
personal preference, the beam is longer and should be more precise, technically, I have started using the beam more and more now days tbh. B
fret levelling withot the neck suported in a neck jig its a big mistake.as you can see in the video the neck is bending under the pushing force.
What kind of file is that made of? Looks like a stone .
well much better than the small file. But I dont see a point in buying one for home use, as the frets are already leveled on a guitar you buy at a guitar store right? why would I level my frets even more?....( just cuz I saw an used guitar with all the frets leveled to zero...it sucked ass playing on it,,,why would somebody do that with a masterpiece of a guitar?)
What does the alan screw at back of the file do?
Do you know, I am wondering if my guitar has a fault in crowning. How else could just one note sound flat, when the tuner says it isn't? It's bugging me. My lovely old Gibson sounds like a banjo still! Not that I don't like banjos. I just want my guitar to sound like the instrument it is.
Could be the nut too but yes, a flat crown on the fret can knock the intonation out, you would be able to see it though?
Crimson Custom Guitars Thanks for the response.You might be able to see it, but my old eyes might not. :) I'll get a glass on it, and check, but the frets are bright, polished, and look okay at first glimpse. BTW, do you consider the 'archtop' a outdated design? Or do you just baulk at copying specific guitars from the past. The guitar I'd like isn't a copy of any particular model, but it would be an archtop, with a neck that isn't like a telegraph pole. It would also have the scale length of a Gibson Byrdland! Cheers. More power to your elbow. JW (Brummagem).
Can u write your tools names all. Thank you. I mean your used equipment names in this video.
With a file
hahahaah
HAHAHAHAHA
Whatyou want is a leveling tool same length as youre fretboard just stick some 2000 grit paper on a long straight edge or long spirit level and carefully even out your frets.
round off with a little buff and pollish with brasso.its not easy as it sounds
Low action is what we want.
And I recommende locking tuners.and a wahwah pedal
then you will sound just like jimi hendrix and jimmy page.
duuuun, dudun dun!
head over to walmart, buy a crap guitar, repair/improve/adjust it until it plays great and BAM: you're a setup master for about 50 bucks.
Awf