Mastering Smooth Fret Ends
Вставка
- Опубліковано 15 тра 2024
- Whether you're a seasoned player or just starting out, pesky sharp fret ends can be a real buzzkill. Join Gene as he guides you through essential tips on smoothing out those edges and getting your fretboard feeling fantastic 🎶✨
0:00 Intro
0:57 Three-Step Process
02:07 Step 1: Filing and Beveling
08:19 Step 2: Dressing
11:05 Step 3: Polishing
14:08 Prevention
Tools and supplies featured in this video include:
Snapfile Fret End Beveling File
www.stewmac.com/item/2255
Fret Beveling File
www.stewmac.com/item/3775
Fret End Dressing File
www.stewmac.com/item/1175
3M Scotch-Brite Pads
www.stewmac.com/item/7445
Micro-Mesh Soft Touch Pads
www.stewmac.com/item/3730
StewMac Hygrometer/Thermometer
www.stewmac.com/item/5814
D'Addario Guitar Case Humidifier
www.stewmac.com/item/10908
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Super quality video on every aspect. Well done guys!
We appreciate that! Glad you enjoyed it.
@@stewmac You guys stained your cool hat with fake blood. :(
I was thinking the same thing
Yeah, I bought an awesome guitar from China.
Well, one of the frets was so sharp I didn't realize I was missing skin utill the next day..
Thanks for posting this. This is probably the most comprehensive video on how to correct sharp fret ends that I have seen yet.
@carlmontney7916 Thanks a bunch! Really appreciate your comment.
THE BEST!!!
@@stewmac Also, this video couldn't have come along at a better time. After I watched this video the next day I was pulling some of my bass guitars out to check on the neck relief. I noticed that my player series Precision with a maple neck has a nasty case of fret sprout right now. So the tips in this video will be applied fairly quickly to that bass.
q@@stewmac
@carlmontney7916 right on, best of luck!
The cheapest guitar I ever bought on Amazon a month ago had the smoothest and rounded frets ends. Guitar cost $98! Bought as a project guitar. No fret work needed. Change of strings and it was good to go. Getting a Fender Player stat tomorrow. I guarantee it will need fret work. Thank you.
great zoom-ins on the fret ends. Really could see the rounding work so much better than previous videos. Thanks!
Thanks for the feedback! That's great to hear.
I've been using raw cloth-backed Micro Mesh 1500-12000 grit to polish fret ends after beveling for 25 years now. Micro Mesh is an incredible polishing tool that comes in many forms, like the foam-backed version seen here, and is used in many industries from finger nail polishing to removing scratches in fighter jet canopies. It's actually known as the "non-abrasive-abrasive" because if you lay into it with some elbow grease, the heavier grit can be abrasive when you need it to be. It's extremely controllable. It works on metals, woods and plastics. For guitars, 2400 grit is a good starting place finally ending with 4000 grit to finely polish most guitar related surfaces to a gloss. Your grit choices may vary. The ONLY problem is Micro Mesh is wicked expensive, and the older MM from the 90's that I use absolutely works better than the new stuff, but the new MM can still last a long time. Like I said, I'm still using Micro Mesh from the 90s when I was a trombone maker. I saved a lot of it because I knew how special it is. Use MM wet or dry and use an ultra sonic cleaner with detergent to clean and renew it. HOPE THIS HELPS.
good tips, i got a new guitar and have been setting it up how i want and waited to do the fret ends, i've been going real slow with fine grit polishing stones, going real easy and slow, not using agrressive files, i like your method, i've been wondering what to use to get even finer, but i kinda figurfed out that not using agressive files is prob smart, i didn't want to cut into anything..i'll buy some of that micro mesh.
I found some multi-grit erasers, on Amazon of course, came in little box to keep neat and clean. Marked grit number on side 400-1200. Worked well.
Answered every question I had. Amazing job.
Thanks for this video. The detailed camera work really helps make the process clear.
Great timing Gene. I am doing the fret job on the 12-string you and I have discussed at length as we speak. Thanks again to all you guys at StewMac for the help we receive whenever we ask. Byron Stafford, N.E. Arizona.
OK wow. This IS the video I've been looking for. Thanks for sharing
Wow! Best instruction I've experienced on the subject - simple and clear, all the detail you need, without complication. Well done.
StewMac, bravo on this in-depth updated version of Dan’s instructional. To anyone curious about doing their own fretwork, this is 100% all the info you need. With only these 2 or 3 tools, and a little practice, you can definitely do this yourself. The cost of the tools add up to the same price as a setup with some fretwork. It’s worth it. It didn’t take me long to get the technique right with the beveler and fret dressing file. You can totally do this!
@4stringz324 great advice - thanks so much for the comment!
Thank you very much for the great, detailed instructions. Have a good time and a not so cold winter...Peace
Quite useful video for sure, very well explained, I especially liked hearing for the change when filing down the side of the frets, very helpful tip
February Fret Ends.
Driest month, and it'll be good all year.
Great teaching in your videos Gene, thank you!
There are many UA-cam videos that address this subject but this video is by FAR the best. Thank-you very much.
Very good info, I feel like I might be able to do this myself now. You've really taken care to note everything, you went slow enough for me to catch everything and that tells me you care about having the end result turn out right for me. Thank you.
Great video , opening is comical. The most concise tutorial I’ve ever seen.❤
very clear and detail explanations. Thank you very much for your professionnalism.
Best fret sprout video I've seen. Thank you!
Thanks a bunch!
What a great video. Now I need to buy all the tools mentioned.
Great lesson!. Thanks for all these videos. So helpful.
I had this problem for years, but simply keeping the guitar in the case made a big difference. Recently I've been putting the humidifying packs made for cigar humidors in my case, an inexpensive way to manage dryness. One cheap little pack works for months. I no longer have that fret popping issue.
Brilliantly articulated as usual..
Good instructional video for a common, age old problem!
Best and most detailed video I've seen on this subject. Thank you.
Awesome to hear, thank you!
I just got a custom made tapping instrument and I really need to do this to the frets. Excellent video...thank you so much for posting!
Thanks for posting. Great explanation !
All the info I needed without unnecessary banter. Perfect!
Glad you enjoyed it!
Guys, incredible video. So instructive, so detailed, and so short ( not to mention so humorous ). That says a lot about the StewMac reputation. Keep up the great work. Thank you very much for sharing this knowledge with all of us "wannabes".
You Rock!!!
We have very long and harsh winters here in Norway. I made it a habbit to bring my Acustic info the bathroom when I shower during winter. Works like a charm🙌
Great no-nonsense video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much!
I mean, there was a liiiitttle nonsense in the beginning, but it was the kind of nonsense I appreciate!
Was just about to do mine, I’m reminded every time it’s cold , even in so cal
This is precisely what I needed. What are all the tools needed? How to use them most effectively, efficiently, and in what order? Just perfect. Excellent editing also. Just the right amount of time for each detail. Thank you stew mac
Superb informative video. Thank you. Micro mesh has so many uses. As well as using it on frets it's also good for levelling out any paint or varnish touch-ups. Used with water you can get a super flat finish prior to finishing with a good polish.
Great video. I need this and it's going in my save bucket. I have the fret end dressing file and the micro mesh pads. Both tools are great. I'd like to get the mill file now. I've dressed about a dozen sets of frets and boy do I need the practice. I'm getting better and have discovered, as you said, that I've over-dressed sets of frets often. It's not an easy skill to perfect, but practice and training videos like this are great. I will keep after it. Thank you for this simple, yet great training video.
Awesome video, thanks for the lesson.
Very useful information. Thank you for sharing.
This is great. I was just wondering about this today. Great video and close ups. Very helpful. Looks like i need to grab some tools from you guys.
Excellent video, thanks.
Well done, thank you 👍
I have been doing this for years and this is probably the most complete easy to follow video ever made on the topic!
That’s awesome to hear, thank you! 😊
Thank you for this Knowledge!!
Literally...the best fret shaping tutorial I have seen after suffering more youtube wandering than I care to admit. Having done my time with a file in a machining world, the overall approach completely makes sense, I just hadnt peiced it all together till I saw this vid. Excellent sense of humor and great graphical representations too. Yes...I am clicking subscribe now guys, keep it up!
Excellent. Thank you.
Totally pro here! Great vid!!! By far the best! Will buy the files exactly as described.!
Great tutorial I did this to my cheap ibanez flamenco guitar which plays amazing for the price. After filing and dressing then polished with micromesh pads then oiled the fretboard and now it's super smooth and feels like an expensive guitar. Thanks for the video 😎
Incredibly well taught and filmed. You made D.I.Y. less scary 👍
Excellent!
Very instructive and helpful information, thank you!
Thanks well made and informative!
Wow! This is so detailed ans extensive. Thank you!
Great video!
I taught myself how to use my left hand for the other side of the fret.
Just practiced on a junk neck and before long it was no problem.
This is great!
What a great video! Thank you so much, StewMac!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed it!
I really liked the tip at the end! Great video, as always!
@VladCotrus thanks so much for the comment - glad you liked the tip!
Winter is the time to do this job.
Well explained. Thank you!
Way, way helpful. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
Great video!
USA, looks yummy! I'll have to try it. Thank You!
Really great detailed vid
Great video. I’m about to do this for the first time by myself but feel pretty confident after watching this. Thanks
You'll do great, best of luck!
@@stewmac thank you
Awesome video! I have two basses that need this done.
Very informative video, many thanks!
Great video and tips!
I've ordered parts and tools galore from stewmac over the years. Last job was a broken cello neck and I steamed it apart, splined and reset neck, and put it all back together. Cello plays like a dream again. U guys rock.
That's quite a job - nice work! Thanks for the comment 👍 Keep loothin'!
Good tips. Thank you.
great video!
great technique, and it's really well presented. great camera work! thanks!
Thank you very much!
excellent video
Great video. Thanks
Great Video. Thanks.
Great video, thank you!👍
Great information, well presented. Top notch.
Much appreciated!
THANK YOU!!!!
Thank You for sharing. The world is a better place.
Thanks for watching 😊
Nice video Gene. You taught me this several years ago and it has served me well. You are a great teacher! Stew Mac is very lucky to have you. 🙂🎸🤘🏻
Good timing - I grabbed a guitar to play this am that I haven't played in a bout a month and realized it has succumbed to the Wyoming winter. The fret ends are protruding and sharp. We're snowed in - I'll work on this today! Thank YOU!
Good luck with your fret ends, and stay warm out there!
Thank you so much
I always file down my fret ends to make sure I can do the balloon test on my guitars. Thank you for the informative video
Great video. It’s pretty much how I do it. I do use your fret beveling file that is embedded in the poly block and on new builds or a refret when you are removing more material I have noticed the filings tend to get under the block and scratch the frets so I usually tape off the frets except for the ends to prevent that.
excellent content, ty
Oh boy. I remember when I got my first bass with this issue. I was young and clueless about fret sprout. My fingers looked like that shredded dowel! After doing my own fretwork now, I can say this video shows exactly what is needed for success.
It certainly happens to the best of us! Awesome you are doing your own fretwork now - keep it up!
Perfect instructions thanks 👍
Glad it was helpful!
Grateful for your tips and tricks. you show to us how working with care and caution with our guitars. Sometimes guitars good brands guitars require much more than fine adjustments. I’d like add that to maintain the fingerboards against the sweat of the fingers, the dryness of the wood, a French luthier strongly advises camellia oil that the Japanese use for the conservation of the wooden handles of their katanas. Miracle oil also known for the Cosmetique of the facial skin!!
Thank you guitar doctor and greeting from Casablanca Morocco
My wood also shrinks during winter!
Thank you for a great video!
This reminds me of a great Seinfeld episode. Women don't understand shrinkage. 🤣
Thank You, Very Useful.
I knew this but i love the explanation and time of instruction- editing?? Idk it was perfect- new subscriber here
Excellent thank you!
Fantastic! I really appreciate how thorough you were. Would like to see more videos like this given I view StewMac tips as highly trusted. How about a level, crown & polish? Or even a full refret would be wonderful too
Both of those are in the works now!
Gratefully for your tips and tricks. You work with care and caution, showing us how respecting our guitars. Sometimes good brand guitars require much more than fine adjustments. Your work equals the doctor. I’d like add in the same way that to maintain the fingerboards against the fingers sweat and the dryness of the wood, a French luthier strongly advises using camellia oil that the Japanese use for the conservation of the wooden handles of their katanas. Miracle oil also known for the Cosmetique of the facial skin for no need high price.
Thank you and greetings from Casablanca Morocco
Thank you ☕️
Super cool video
Great Video... Very informative !
Thank you!
Hahaha! Great special effects and very informative. Thanks!!
Thanks a bunch 😆
Nice job, gang!
Finest wire wool you can find always keep some in your case.
Great video. I had an Ibanez that would catch my strings. Not sharp but, apparently, never adjusted in factory.
I just made up the filing as I went along.
This helps me understand the proper steps. Thank you.
Absolutely! Hope it can be of help to you.
Just what I wanted to know, thanks!
You bet!
Dude thanks....I was panicking so hard the other day, I picked up every single guitar and they all developed sharp fret ends during this month. I thought my guitars were done for but I read into it and people were saying most of the time you can treat it like this and you should be fine. Thanks for the video...right on time.