Do you do fret jobs?

[Chrisk-K]

I do setups and repairs myself (nut jobs, finish touch-ups, electronics, etc.). I haven't done any fret job except fret dressing, though.

I've read a few instructions for fret leveling and crowning. It seems like a no brainer to me if I have the right tools. Should I go for it? A professional leveler and a crowning file would cost me about $80. Or, am I being too ambitious (or foolish)?

[72LML]

I do all my own and I'm not a professional luthier. It takes a little time to do your first one but once you get the hang of it it's not too bad. Just start on a cheap bass or guitar and go from there. It goes a long way in making a cheap bass much more playable. If you're interested I can walk you through the steps of how I do it.

[Chrisk-K]

I can walk you through the steps of how I do it.

Thanks. I guess I'd be fine. Over the last week I familiarized myself with leveling & crowning. I read two Erlewine books and several articles and watched a few Youtube videos. I know I cannot refret, but leveling and crowning seems easy.

[Lemoore-on]

I bought a couple of cheep/junk necks to practice on. Now I dress, level, and crown. I defreted one neck but have yet to try re-fretting it.

I do my own set-ups and I finish and assemble "parts basses" and do simple wireing (passive). I did all my practicing on cheep/junk basses.

[JLS]

again...

[bag_of_dirt]

I've leveled/recrowned several of my basses over the last few months, with no training except Erlewine's book. If you've got the tools and the inclination, I wouldn't let anyone tell you not to try it yourself.

Proper fixturing so you remove a minimum amount of fret material is half the battle, after that it's just careful handwork and elbow grease. My first leveling job took 4-5 hours, the others took maybe 3 hours apiece.

[Low Commotion]

If you've worked on guitars and you're handy with tools, I'd say give it a try. I took a 6-week course last summer on guitar repair and most of it was just rolling up your sleeves and doing it. The course focussed on guitar set up and the big component was fret dressing (level worn and uneven frets including fret ends, reseat loose frets, re-crown frets, polish frets, clean and oil fingerboard where applicable). I've done all my mine and my friends guitars and then some. Everything from set up to refretting.

It's like anything else, the first time is the hardest and longest, but once you've done it, it's easy. You might want to try on an ol' beater, but I'm sure you'll do fine. You just take your time and be careful.

Your educational material will tell you everything you need, but it won't cost more than $100. (24" straight edge, fret file, crowning file, sandpaper from 200 to 800, buffing wheel and some lemon oil if you have a rose wood fretboard).

This is a 1965 Martin D28 that I did this summer.

Good luck!

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: fret levelling and crowning is something everyone who's interested in fretted instruments should know how to do.

A minor fretwork is often all that it takes to turn a decent player into a good one, and there's no reason why You shouldn't do it yourself.

IMHO only as usual of course.

Edit: Fret levelling may seem easy, and for a person who's handy it may even be that, but generally speaking fret levelling and crowning ain't easy. But then again, nothing worthwile is nor should be I guess .

Regards
Sam