Ho. Ly. Shite. I bet you had NO idea or even intention really, when you started filming this, that you were going to end up making literally the *best* instructional video (ok, videoS) about DIY fret levelling on the whole damn internet. I'm blown away. Not even remotely kidding: I just got on Amazon and ordered $140 (US dollars) worth of the few basic tools (straight edge with notches, 16" beam, nice crown file, etc) I was still lacking to go ahead and do this on two of my guitars, because I feel like I can handle it now. At least like I'll make them *slightly* better, instead of worse. I wish I had seen your channel about 7 months ago, before I paid a pro $230 to level and crown my Strat. Shoulda bought nice tools with that dosh instead. I've been READING about the process in forums and stuff ever since I paid that painful amount, but hadn't seen anything like this. THANK YOU. I know you haven't uploaded any more stuff in like almost a decade, but... Dude. You should!
This is a brilliant contribution to UA-cam and such a breath of fresh air after watching so many videos of people with nothing to offer but simply like seeing themselves on the internet. Thank you for sharing with us.
This is NOT a negative comment. I like this vid. I do things a little differently however. When I encounter a high fret, I first determine that it is properly seated across the neck. Often times it isn't! I lightly tap it across the fret and check it again. I do that with all the high frets, then I wick in some glue to keep them in place. I also try to sell the customer on gluing all the frets. On several ocasions, I've not had to level the frets at all after doing this.
@@zombiemontage greetings. Keep in mind I’m not a tech/luthier but I believe what he meant by “wicking” is that thin viscosity super glue is very good about soaking (wicking) into wood and into cracks, crevices and such. Again I’m not a tech but if I had a high fret that was loose/unseated I’d apply some super glue (likely very little) along the fret-wire clamp it and let dry. Move quickly though and don’t apply glue until after you’ve set up your plan cauls and have your clamps At ready. Once you’re all set up and ready to rock, Apply the glue and you’ll notice it wicking in around, between and under the fretwire. Clamp it and you’re good. Doing a quick search here on the UA-cams should yield some results on fretwire clamping methods, cauls and such for ideas. I’m envisioning C clamps 🗜 utilizing some sort of protection both for the neck back surface and the fretwire. Alternatively if the fret isn’t exactly loose but rather has just raised up but stays put once hammered back in flush,, you could probably just hammer the fret flush and then apply the super glue (it will wick in). Again I’m not a tech so take my advice as a grain of salt. I only commented because I’ve watched a lot of luthier videos. But that certainly doesn’t mean I know anything. Cheers!
No joke, I literally just did this after reading your comment and it fixed the buzz on one of my basses. Then It created a new one on the next fret up, and I hit that one too and now it’s all good! 😅
Without a doubt this is the best informative, precise.and easily explaned tutotial Ive ever seen on youtube really well filmed with super close - ups , no gimicks, no silly rock music,and no one playing at being the rock star with every second sentance ending with the word Awsome !! .I salute you sir for bringing sanity to UA-cam regards PB
After watching about a dozen of these "fret leveling " videos, I think hands down yours is the best in description, video and close up pictures! Great job
Dude, do you realize that you have over 6 thousand subscribers with only three videos (and two of them make one video; part 1 and part 2). That is how good your work is and I sure would love to see more videos from you. Hope all is well and congratulations on knocking it out of the park.
Agree, the information is excellent and video production superior. Like everyone here, I hope we will see more videos from this top-of-the-line content provider.
After watching your technique and attention to detail in parts 1 & 2, I can see that you are NOT a hack--I'd trust you to work on my rigs anytime. Great illustrations in your tutorial -well done!
Just want to say thank you, i have my tech didn't want to touch it and after watching all different techs on you tube i decided to try your method since i already had 95% of what i needed. Only bought a slotted bar. Carne out awesome! Thanks for the videos!
What a refreshing change to have a video & instruction delivered in a educational & clear & interesting way not shouting "hi you tubers blah blah etc im subscribed exactly
Excellent video. I did the frets on my first bass guitar the other day using tips from your video. Turned out excellent!!! saved me $150, now I can do all my guitars myself
Excellent & informative video. Now this all finally makes sense! Please make more videos like this Duncan. You really have gift for explaining guitar repairs & your video production was also truly excellent! God bless you & thanks!!!!
this is the best video of it's time on the internet..fantastic...informative and interesting from an expert who knows what they're doing..also the simple format of the video is brilliant...no stupid incessant music or distractions.. Superb.thank you.
I watched dozens of fretting videos, this is the best one by far. I had these two videos at my side as I was doing my first ever re-fret on my 20 year old Jackson PS-1 super strat. Thanks to this clear and concise instructional the re-fret was bang-on, first time! Cheers from a fellow Scot :-)
Great video! Thank you for not talking about things that are not relevant. You are obviusly a great guitartech, a good teacher and a great film director on top of that! Nice!
Great video. The video where the person leveled the frets in a side to side or x pattern using a leveling beam that almost covers the entire length of the fret board as opposed to sanding the long axis which in theory removes more material from the center frets isn’t wrong or the only right way to do fret leveling (watched Fender’s master luthier level frets and he didn’t use a side to side motion). Methodically working the beam, without pressure applied, while continuously checking the amount of material being removed from a fret is the key to success, after ensuring the neck is set level before working the frets. Removing small amounts of material at a time, is critical to the process. “You can always remove material, but you can’t put material back if you’ve “over leveled”. This is one of the first videos I’ve seen where he created a fall away at the upper end of the fret board. This is a technique that is used on guitars that do not have fall away. Some Fender Strats and Tele guitars have what is called a micro-tilt adjustment. These are the guitars you may have seen with the little hole between the bottom neck screw holes. This micro-tilt is the ability to adjust the heel of the neck (raising or lowering) based on the individual players action preference. Great video.
Excellent video. I've been struggling with un-level frets on a guitar for 3 weeks now, going about it completely wrong. Thanks for clearing up all my misconceptions!
The presentation, pace and level of detail in your tutorial videos is excellent. This one gave me confidence to try my own fretwork. Well done, you should really do more.
Duncan - thanks for your wonderful UA-cam video on Fret Dressing. It's the best I've seen. And your explanations are enlightening and very helpful to understanding rather than just applying a receipt. Thanks for your generous help and spirit!
Thank you for this. It is very informative, and you’ve done a fine job with the production. It is easy to see what you are doing, and your explanations are clear. It is a pleasure to watch and learn from you.
Hey Duncan, Super glad I came across this video. I have a Fender acoustic that I am going to be refretting in the not to distant future. This is great information. Thank you very much! Dave in the Adirondack Mountains
I sure see a lot of mouthy poison comments spewing onto videos made by professional luthiers like yourself. I find this video very interesting and helpful. Of course one has to have some degree of common sense to do the things that are not specifically included in the video they are watching, like turning on the lights in a dark shop. They don’t have to watch your videos and are certainly welcome to publish their own instructional video that we don’t watch and post poisonous comments if we do... thanks for posting this, I’m on my third guitar and learning more every step of the way, thanks to your knowledge, insight and the generous sharing of your time...
Thanks for sharing your knowledge for free with the rest of us. I recently got interested in guitar electronics and guitar maintenance and this has helped me so much and saved me a lot of time and money. Once more, thank you.
I bought a Sameck strat at a thrift store for $20...it has a really nice neck, but im going to do aa fret leveling on that for my first time before I try it on my good guitars....this video is really great to learn how to do this...thank you so much.
Very good instructional- very detailed. Most of these youtube videos don't show the craftsman actually doing the work- it's like they're afraid to show their work.
Partner, I want to thank you for your craftsmanship and pride put into your work. Your presentation is totally awesome. Your teaching skills should be considered among the best. For me, the only thing better than watching your video would be learning from you in the shop. Tally Ho, good man.
Awesome video.. simple, but so much information, plz keep this style, it works so much better than "show off" videos that lose you in 2 mins of waffle...
This is the best video I've seen on fret leveling. Great explanation and demonstration! Where were you last year when I needed you? Just kidding! Thanks.
Thanks for this brilliant video. Easily the best video on fret leveling I've ever seen, and the first one I've seen to adress fall away. I didn't even know that was a thing before watching this video, but it makes perfect sense for a low action neck. I'll definitely be doing that when dressing the frets on my guitars from now on.
I think the way you Mark the frets makes a lot more sense than just marking them all black from the beginning, especially with looking at possible fretboard deviation and saving fret material etc.
The quality of your video is unquestionably the best I've seen anywhere on the Internet. I'm sure it took a tremendous amount of time to shoot, much less edit it. I congratulate you on your results- the video, the illustrations and your explanation of the process are superb. I know how expensive specialty tools are (I've dabbled in this work and in gunsmithing), so I don't blame someone for making their own. Your decission to improvise and use a modified 3-sided file (instead of a diamond inpregnated, concave "fret" file is commendable and appreciated. But (there is always a "but", eh? I don't care how hard you try to convince the unknowing, and I don't care whether you are using a single-cut or a "double-cut" file. With the exception of that diamond empregnated tool, a file will only cut in ONE direction. Dragging a file, backwards, across your work only serves to flatten the cutting surfaces (rendering them less- or un- able to cut) and destroying the life of the file. A file that is labeled "double cut" simply means that the cutting surfaces are cut at two angles, forming a diamond shaped pattern of cutting surfaces. Those cutting surfaces both face the same direction. nancylthamilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/single-double-cut.jpg
Very fine video. I have a doubt. If with the strings mounted it is necessary that the neck is slightly curved at the height of the fifth fret, perfectly leveling it would result that with the strings mounted, the distance between the top of the fret and the rope would be greater than necessary; and I suppose that it would serve leveling with a bar that is not straight, but curved as much and as the upright string neck. Or not ? Tank you for the fine video.
excellent and very thorough. I usually skip the first steps of rocking or even spotting the low and high frets. If you mark all of the frets first you will know the low ones as soon as you do the first passes with the 320 when they don't get touched. the only thing I would truly like to point out is that you need to make sure the neck is straight before doing anything. I realize this was touched upon in the video but it is of paramount importance. Once the strings are off a guitar, there is no counter pull and the truss rod has nothing fighting it. You can't just sand the frets unless you know the neck is dead straight. tune the truss rod to make this happen. You can then use a straight edge or your sanding beam as a straight edge to verify.
I've only done a few neck, so far, before finding your video, and I really like the idea of two different color markers for , high and low marks. Thanks a lot , man.
Hi Duncan. Thanks for your awesome videos. Hands down the best fret dressing videos on UA-cam. Looking forward to any more guitar repair/maintenance videos you do. Cheers from Australia!
Detail, brilliantly expressed, your illustrations are terrific and perfectly exaggerated to get the message. I also like your sanding beam, more substantial and bullet proof than, the smaller tools I use, However the dead flat is not always the case. Like your videos, nice man.... Little as possible is home...
Thank you so much for your 2 videos about fret leveling, i'm looking for a guitar i really want (a cheap guitar) and do my dream: set it up to a next level, with new humbuckers and electronic, and some people said that doing fret leveling on this model can be usefull, thanks a lot for your job dude! :)
Fantastic video! Those frets looked outstanding when you finished them. Thanks for posting this "how to" video...don't let anyone discourage you, you are really good. It must take a lot of practice. I have 5 old, cheap guitars that I can practice on. I like your method, it is very step by step and diligent.
Hi Duncan, Thank you for such a clear and common sense explanation of this issue, i have learned a whole lot. I have subbed as most videos are a bit all over the place on the process of fret levelling.
Very good video! Best one I have seen by far. I don't like videos that drag on and I think this one, even though not short, never felt long; you explain each part in the appropriate level of detail. The methods you use make sense to me and I am exited to try this for the first time. Great job!
Thank you brother for taking time out of your life to leave such a great instructional video. Of all the videos dealing with fret dressing I have seen so far on You Tube, yours is far and away the best. Just a few reasons why I say that... You have a gift for teaching, evidenced by your even, humble and knowledgable tone. The video is very professional in that it gives great pictures for illustration, and the close ups of you doing the work are sharp so we are all able to follow what you are doing. Your high standard of work ethics is clearly conveyed. You really have inspired me to learn this art to high degree. Question, my father was from Scotland, are you also from Scotland? God bless, and will wait to see if you put out more videos, you truly have my respect. Jack.
Very educative video material.Cartoon animations are also well done and very illustrative. Maybe you could add here and there some additional infos about used sanding (grit) paper, tools, with arrows and other shapes. It would help a lot more, but this material is also great. It would takes a few minute more of clips but result would be greater. But.. Thank you.
I think your diagrams are fantastic, and you illustrate the essence of the many issues. I only saw your video as it followed watching one I did of a 75 Les Paul, I thought i was careful,.... but your method and mechanics are EXCELLENT, The person that did the refret on your example was a HACK, so nice job on the VID, and obviously you would be someone I would trust with a VINTAGE instrument.... Well done
Oooh I bet that plays slick now. Thanks for the helpful tips with different colors, and the fall-away, very cool : ) This sanding level method works with excellent results, similar, but better than how I've been doing it. Then usually I'll have a bucket of coffee and can't stop, end up sanding all the lacquer off the back of the neck haha, while salivating with a mischievous grin, aarrgh.
This is such a fantastic video - thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I am beginning my first guitar build with some trepidation but your videos have given me real confidence in tackling the neck! Thanks so much again - Matt
REALLY useful and very clear. I have a newly bought Epiphone Blueshawk which is basically a darn good guitar but there are a few issues with proud frets and having watched your video, I've just ordered a notched straight edge so that I can check the neck itself. Great tutorial - thanks.
Great videos , Duncan! About DIY tools, controling the straight state of the necks, I use a graduated steel rule to transform it as a notched straight edge (this kind of tool -the steel rule- is controled by laser at the end of manufacturing), and with a rounded file , I dig the slots, matching with Fender or Gibson or other marks , frets spaces. To own fret rocker, that's the same kind of tool: graduated steel rule, that I cut 3 lengths to match with large, average and small spaces of frets. The levelling beam is simply a bubble level! However I own Gurian crowning files, not very expensive and efficient.
Great video work showing exactly what you should see! If you were just listening to this, it wouldn't have nearly the educational value that it does with the nice video!
Thx for your knowledge. I'd like to add that most nuts are slightly wedged narrow on the low E side, which makes tapping them out easier from the high E side.
Great video Duncan. I've always sought out a guitar tech for neck and fret problems in the past but you have explained the process so clearly I will try giving my old Japanese Telecaster copy a fret level. Keep posting your videos please.
Ho.
Ly.
Shite.
I bet you had NO idea or even intention really, when you started filming this, that you were going to end up making literally the *best* instructional video (ok, videoS) about DIY fret levelling on the whole damn internet. I'm blown away.
Not even remotely kidding: I just got on Amazon and ordered $140 (US dollars) worth of the few basic tools (straight edge with notches, 16" beam, nice crown file, etc) I was still lacking to go ahead and do this on two of my guitars, because I feel like I can handle it now. At least like I'll make them *slightly* better, instead of worse. I wish I had seen your channel about 7 months ago, before I paid a pro $230 to level and crown my Strat. Shoulda bought nice tools with that dosh instead. I've been READING about the process in forums and stuff ever since I paid that painful amount, but hadn't seen anything like this.
THANK YOU. I know you haven't uploaded any more stuff in like almost a decade, but... Dude. You should!
This is a brilliant contribution to UA-cam and such a breath of fresh air after watching so many videos of people with nothing to offer but simply like seeing themselves on the internet. Thank you for sharing with us.
This is NOT a negative comment. I like this vid. I do things a little differently however. When I encounter a high fret, I first determine that it is properly seated across the neck. Often times it isn't! I lightly tap it across the fret and check it again. I do that with all the high frets, then I wick in some glue to keep them in place. I also try to sell the customer on gluing all the frets. On several ocasions, I've not had to level the frets at all after doing this.
What method do you mean by wicking glue in? I have a fret on my guitar that needs this treatment
@@zombiemontage greetings. Keep in mind I’m not a tech/luthier but I believe what he meant by “wicking” is that thin viscosity super glue is very good about soaking (wicking) into wood and into cracks, crevices and such. Again I’m not a tech but if I had a high fret that was loose/unseated I’d apply some super glue (likely very little) along the fret-wire clamp it and let dry. Move quickly though and don’t apply glue until after you’ve set up your plan cauls and have your clamps At ready. Once you’re all set up and ready to rock, Apply the glue and you’ll notice it wicking in around, between and under the fretwire. Clamp it and you’re good. Doing a quick search here on the UA-cams should yield some results on fretwire clamping methods, cauls and such for ideas.
I’m envisioning C clamps 🗜 utilizing some sort of protection both for the neck back surface and the fretwire. Alternatively if the fret isn’t exactly loose but rather has just raised up but stays put once hammered back in flush,, you could probably just hammer the fret flush and then apply the super glue (it will wick in). Again I’m not a tech so take my advice as a grain of salt.
I only commented because I’ve watched a lot of luthier videos. But that certainly doesn’t mean I know anything.
Cheers!
No joke, I literally just did this after reading your comment and it fixed the buzz on one of my basses. Then It created a new one on the next fret up, and I hit that one too and now it’s all good! 😅
Worthy comment. Thanks
Great video with excellent closeups and graphics. Best I’ve watched on the topic. Looking forward to see how you crown the frets next. Thank you
Without a doubt this is the best informative, precise.and easily explaned tutotial Ive ever seen
on youtube really well filmed with super close - ups , no gimicks, no silly rock music,and no one playing at being the rock star with every second sentance ending with the word Awsome !! .I salute you sir for bringing sanity to UA-cam regards PB
Great, great job!! No excessive unnecessary talking, great graphics. Very useful info. Thank you SO Much!!
This is the best fret levelling documentary on you tube...Thank you, brother...
You just explained and showed very simply what 100+ other videos could not, how to adjust the truss rod and why. Thank you!
After watching about a dozen of these "fret leveling " videos, I think hands down yours is the best in description, video and close up pictures! Great job
Best, most in depth tutorial on UA-cam without the garbage.
This is by far the best tutorial I've come across for fret work......very well done.
Please make more videos. Yours are the best I have seen on fret work. There are many of us out here that need the EXCELLENT teaching that you present.
This is a good channel. Not only does he know what he's talking about, but he also explains it very well.
Dude, do you realize that you have over 6 thousand subscribers with only three videos (and two of them make one video; part 1 and part 2). That is how good your work is and I sure would love to see more videos from you. Hope all is well and congratulations on knocking it out of the park.
Right? By far and away the best fret levelling video I've seen.
@@robinfhild Me too, just leveled my Cort guitar and the results are pretty good.
Agree, the information is excellent and video production superior. Like everyone here, I hope we will see more videos from this top-of-the-line content provider.
This man is a SAINT in my books..! to teach so much, with quality and honesty,,.. this is true piety . Thanks mate
This is easily the best video I've ever seen on sanding the frets level. Thanks for the detailed procedure and not talking too much! On to part 2...
The Fret Rockers sounds like a pretty cool band name ..
After watching your technique and attention to detail in parts 1 & 2, I can see that you are NOT a hack--I'd trust you to work on my rigs anytime. Great illustrations in your tutorial -well done!
Best instructional videos on neck work on the net. Well done man and thanks for the excellent editing.
Subscribed.
Man finally someone who shows and explains why the and how the frets are uneven
Just want to say thank you, i have my tech didn't want to touch it and after watching all different techs on you tube i decided to try your method since i already had 95% of what i needed. Only bought a slotted bar. Carne out awesome! Thanks for the videos!
This video is better than many others out there because of the great close-up camera work showing fret detail magnified. Well-done!
This is one of the best how to videos I have seen. Great job and thank you Duncan!
What a refreshing change to have a video & instruction delivered in a educational & clear & interesting way not shouting "hi you tubers blah blah etc im subscribed exactly
Duncan, i think you did a terrific job with this, ignore any pathetic negative comms. Cliff
Excellent video. I did the frets on my first bass guitar the other day using tips from your video. Turned out excellent!!! saved me $150, now I can do all my guitars myself
Nice one Kyle - glad it turned out well for you
Excellent & informative video. Now this all finally makes sense! Please make more videos like this Duncan. You really have gift for explaining guitar repairs & your video production was also truly excellent! God bless you & thanks!!!!
Beautiful. The best demo on UA-cam. Superb filming quality. Thanks
this is the best video of it's time on the internet..fantastic...informative and interesting from an expert who knows what they're doing..also the simple format of the video is brilliant...no stupid incessant music or distractions..
Superb.thank you.
Thanks for the videos, its refreshing to see guys not product placing during their videos
I watched dozens of fretting videos, this is the best one by far. I had these two videos at my side as I was doing my first ever re-fret on my 20 year old Jackson PS-1 super strat. Thanks to this clear and concise instructional the re-fret was bang-on, first time! Cheers from a fellow Scot :-)
great demonstration this man really knows how to do his work perfectly
this is one of the best how to videos on youtube I have ever seen!
Great video! Thank you for not talking about things that are not relevant. You are obviusly a great guitartech, a good teacher and a great film director on top of that! Nice!
Fantastically Illustrated my friend! Really great work you did on this video. Top notch quality stuff here. Thank you, very much.
Thank you, Duncan, for clear and instructive videos. So much better than ones where they mumble or ham it up to the camera.
Great video. The video where the person leveled the frets in a side to side or x pattern using a leveling beam that almost covers the entire length of the fret board as opposed to sanding the long axis which in theory removes more material from the center frets isn’t wrong or the only right way to do fret leveling (watched Fender’s master luthier level frets and he didn’t use a side to side motion). Methodically working the beam, without pressure applied, while continuously checking the amount of material being removed from a fret is the key to success, after ensuring the neck is set level before working the frets. Removing small amounts of material at a time, is critical to the process. “You can always remove material, but you can’t put material back if you’ve “over leveled”. This is one of the first videos I’ve seen where he created a fall away at the upper end of the fret board. This is a technique that is used on guitars that do not have fall away. Some Fender Strats and Tele guitars have what is called a micro-tilt adjustment. These are the guitars you may have seen with the little hole between the bottom neck screw holes. This micro-tilt is the ability to adjust the heel of the neck (raising or lowering) based on the individual players action preference. Great video.
Excellent video. I've been struggling with un-level frets on a guitar for 3 weeks now, going about it completely wrong. Thanks for clearing up all my misconceptions!
The presentation, pace and level of detail in your tutorial videos is excellent.
This one gave me confidence to try my own fretwork. Well done, you should really do more.
Absolutely the best tutorial in the interweb! and I have watched alot of them.. thanks and great job
Duncan - thanks for your wonderful UA-cam video on Fret Dressing. It's the best I've seen. And your explanations are enlightening and very helpful to understanding rather than just applying a receipt. Thanks for your generous help and spirit!
Thank you for this. It is very informative, and you’ve done a fine job with the production. It is easy to see what you are doing, and your explanations are clear. It is a pleasure to watch and learn from you.
Hey Duncan,
Super glad I came across this video. I have a Fender acoustic that I am going to be refretting in the not to distant future. This is great information. Thank you very much!
Dave in the Adirondack Mountains
David Douglas im upstate as well! Queensbury area! :)
I sure see a lot of mouthy poison comments spewing onto videos made by professional luthiers like yourself. I find this video very interesting and helpful. Of course one has to have some degree of common sense to do the things that are not specifically included in the video they are watching, like turning on the lights in a dark shop. They don’t have to watch your videos and are certainly welcome to publish their own instructional video that we don’t watch and post poisonous comments if we do... thanks for posting this, I’m on my third guitar and learning more every step of the way, thanks to your knowledge, insight and the generous sharing of your time...
Absolutely brilliant ! Everything about your work here is excellent.... Thank you...
Best instructions I have seen on you tube. Thanks
1of the best detailed, quality, fret job I’ve watched to date. Thank u..maybe in the future u can do a vid on nut repair/fine tuning guitar nuts. Thx
Thanks for sharing your knowledge for free with the rest of us. I recently got interested in guitar electronics and guitar maintenance and this has helped me so much and saved me a lot of time and money. Once more, thank you.
I bought a Sameck strat at a thrift store for $20...it has a really nice neck, but im going to do aa fret leveling on that for my first time before I try it on my good guitars....this video is really great to learn how to do this...thank you so much.
Like your method. Seems more precise than others I've seen. Thanks for the info.
Very good instructional- very detailed. Most of these youtube videos don't show the craftsman actually doing the work- it's like they're afraid to show their work.
Partner, I want to thank you for your craftsmanship and pride put into your work. Your presentation is totally awesome. Your teaching skills should be considered among the best. For me, the only thing better than watching your video would be learning from you in the shop. Tally Ho, good man.
Best video on fret leveling I've seen! All you need to know!
Using two different colored markers was a great tip, thanks!
Awesome video.. simple, but so much information, plz keep this style, it works so much better than "show off" videos that lose you in 2 mins of waffle...
Excellent video. Great pace and detail. Thanks man!
This is the best video I've seen on fret leveling. Great explanation and demonstration! Where were you last year when I needed you? Just kidding! Thanks.
Thanks for this brilliant video. Easily the best video on fret leveling I've ever seen, and the first one I've seen to adress fall away. I didn't even know that was a thing before watching this video, but it makes perfect sense for a low action neck. I'll definitely be doing that when dressing the frets on my guitars from now on.
Excellent instructional video. Well explained and well filmed. Thanks!
I think the way you Mark the frets makes a lot more sense than just marking them all black from the beginning, especially with looking at possible fretboard deviation and saving fret material etc.
Great instruction video!
Really serious and no market placement on tools! Love it!
The two colors only on the high and low spots is my biggest takeaway.
Thanx man.
Great video s and information. Attention to detail was awesome!
The quality of your video is unquestionably the best I've seen anywhere on the Internet. I'm sure it took a tremendous amount of time to shoot, much less edit it. I congratulate you on your results- the video, the illustrations and your explanation of the process are superb.
I know how expensive specialty tools are (I've dabbled in this work and in gunsmithing), so I don't blame someone for making their own. Your decission to improvise and use a modified 3-sided file (instead of a diamond inpregnated, concave "fret" file is commendable and appreciated.
But (there is always a "but", eh?
I don't care how hard you try to convince the unknowing, and I don't care whether you are using a single-cut or a "double-cut" file. With the exception of that diamond empregnated tool, a file will only cut in ONE direction. Dragging a file, backwards, across your work only serves to flatten the cutting surfaces (rendering them less- or un- able to cut) and destroying the life of the file. A file that is labeled "double cut" simply means that the cutting surfaces are cut at two angles, forming a diamond shaped pattern of cutting surfaces. Those cutting surfaces both face the same direction.
nancylthamilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/single-double-cut.jpg
Very fine video. I have a doubt. If with the strings mounted it is necessary that the neck is slightly curved at the height of the fifth fret, perfectly leveling it would result that with the strings mounted, the distance between the top of the fret and the rope would be greater than necessary; and I suppose that it would serve leveling with a bar that is not straight, but curved as much and as the upright string neck. Or not ? Tank you for the fine video.
the best fret dressing video I've seen yet. .thanks
1 year later and I'm still referencing your video during my fret dressings. Still the best fret dressing video
Excellent I like the 2 pens. Also good tip with the tape for fall away
Very good job Duncan very educative thanks from Chile !!!!!!!!!
thanks for sharing this ....I am truly fascinated at the intricacy displayed when it comes to guitar repair...mucho respecto !
One of my favorite videos ever! Love everything about it!
Best fret leveling video ever !!! Thank you for sharing this :)
excellent and very thorough. I usually skip the first steps of rocking or even spotting the low and high frets. If you mark all of the frets first you will know the low ones as soon as you do the first passes with the 320 when they don't get touched. the only thing I would truly like to point out is that you need to make sure the neck is straight before doing anything. I realize this was touched upon in the video but it is of paramount importance. Once the strings are off a guitar, there is no counter pull and the truss rod has nothing fighting it. You can't just sand the frets unless you know the neck is dead straight. tune the truss rod to make this happen. You can then use a straight edge or your sanding beam as a straight edge to verify.
I've only done a few neck, so far, before finding your video, and I really like the idea of two different color markers for , high and low marks. Thanks a lot , man.
Hi Duncan. Thanks for your awesome videos. Hands down the best fret dressing videos on UA-cam. Looking forward to any more guitar repair/maintenance videos you do. Cheers from Australia!
Great illustration with the guitar in the snow and at the beach :D
Detail, brilliantly expressed, your illustrations are terrific and perfectly exaggerated to get the message. I also like your sanding beam, more substantial and bullet proof than, the smaller tools I use, However the dead flat is not always the case. Like your videos, nice man.... Little as possible is home...
Ridiculously good instructional video, Congratulations and thank you !
Thank you so much for your 2 videos about fret leveling, i'm looking for a guitar i really want (a cheap guitar) and do my dream: set it up to a next level, with new humbuckers and electronic, and some people said that doing fret leveling on this model can be usefull, thanks a lot for your job dude! :)
Brilliant video, I learnt a lot. Thanks. Now to part 2
Fantastic video! Those frets looked outstanding when you finished them. Thanks for posting this "how to" video...don't let anyone discourage you, you are really good. It must take a lot of practice. I have 5 old, cheap guitars that I can practice on. I like your method, it is very step by step and diligent.
Excellent description and tutorial on fret leveling.
Thank you for sharing your process, Duncan! Taking the time to explain every step was very helpful!
Hi Duncan, Thank you for such a clear and common sense explanation of this issue, i have learned a whole lot. I have subbed as most videos are a bit all over the place on the process of fret levelling.
This is a great video. Thank you for taking the time to do this. God bless!
3:00 Remark: wait 30 mins after twisting the truss rod, then check again, the wood may have set a bit and your neck may not be straight anymore.
Correct
Very good video! Best one I have seen by far. I don't like videos that drag on and I think this one, even though not short, never felt long; you explain each part in the appropriate level of detail. The methods you use make sense to me and I am exited to try this for the first time. Great job!
Thank you for this video. I felt a lot more comfortable doing it to my #1 guitar
Thank you brother for taking time out of your life to leave such a great instructional video.
Of all the videos dealing with fret dressing I have seen so far on You Tube, yours is far and away the best. Just a few reasons why I say that...
You have a gift for teaching, evidenced by your even, humble and knowledgable tone.
The video is very professional in that it gives great pictures for illustration, and the close ups of you doing the work are sharp so we are all able to follow what you are doing.
Your high standard of work ethics is clearly conveyed.
You really have inspired me to learn this art to high degree.
Question, my father was from Scotland, are you also from Scotland?
God bless, and will wait to see if you put out more videos, you truly have my respect.
Jack.
hi jack, thanks for your kind comments - i really appreciate that ... yes well spotted, i am from scotland - born and raised in edinburgh :)
Very educative video material.Cartoon animations are also well done and very illustrative. Maybe you could add here and there some additional infos about used sanding (grit) paper, tools, with arrows and other shapes. It would help a lot more, but this material is also great. It would takes a few minute more of clips but result would be greater. But.. Thank you.
Excellent video! Very patient work there! 👍
I think your diagrams are fantastic, and you illustrate the essence of the many issues. I only saw your video as it followed watching one I did of a 75 Les Paul, I thought i was careful,.... but your method and mechanics are EXCELLENT, The person that did the refret on your example was a HACK, so nice job on the VID, and obviously you would be someone I would trust with a VINTAGE instrument.... Well done
Best instructional video on DIY fret leveling I've found on you tube! Thanks so much :)
Oooh I bet that plays slick now. Thanks for the helpful tips with different colors, and the fall-away, very cool : ) This sanding level method works with excellent results, similar, but better than how I've been doing it. Then usually I'll have a bucket of coffee and can't stop, end up sanding all the lacquer off the back of the neck haha, while salivating with a mischievous grin, aarrgh.
This is such a fantastic video - thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I am beginning my first guitar build with some trepidation but your videos have given me real confidence in tackling the neck! Thanks so much again - Matt
REALLY useful and very clear. I have a newly bought Epiphone Blueshawk which is basically a darn good guitar but there are a few issues with proud frets and having watched your video, I've just ordered a notched straight edge so that I can check the neck itself. Great tutorial - thanks.
Great videos , Duncan! About DIY tools, controling the straight state of the necks, I use a graduated steel rule to transform it as a notched straight edge (this kind of tool -the steel rule- is controled by laser at the end of manufacturing), and with a rounded file , I dig the slots, matching with Fender or Gibson or other marks , frets spaces. To own fret rocker, that's the same kind of tool: graduated steel rule, that I cut 3 lengths to match with large, average and small spaces of frets. The levelling beam is simply a bubble level! However I own Gurian crowning files, not very expensive and efficient.
This video is amazing! Great Job!!! Blessings to you!!
Great video work showing exactly what you should see! If you were just listening to this, it wouldn't have nearly the educational value that it does with the nice video!
Thank you for sharing, wonderful done. Easy to understand. Thanks again!
Thank you, your video is really easy to view and understand.
Thx for your knowledge. I'd like to add that most nuts are slightly wedged narrow on the low E side, which makes tapping them out easier from the high E side.
ForTheLoveOfChrist dude i never knew that - thank you so much for the info ... i'll be on the lookout for that in the future :)
Great video Duncan. I've always sought out a guitar tech for neck and fret problems in the past but you have explained the process so clearly I will try giving my old Japanese Telecaster copy a fret level.
Keep posting your videos please.
Great tip... using the razor/blade as a rocker. Thanks.