Fret Dress?

Zolbol · #1 10-06-2010, 01:31 PM

Hi guys, Just a quick question and I hope I'm in the right section.

What exactly does a fret dress consist of ? I guess its the shaving of the frets to lower and level them?

Is it possible to do this yourself?

And how do I know if my bass needs it, or is it more of an upgrade type of thing to make them play smoother?

Bass plays fine as it is but, i spose we always after more butter hey.

Anyways good day to all and thanks for any replies.

mikeyswood · #2 10-06-2010, 01:47 PM

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=fret+dress

Yes. Most here have the tools to do it ourselves.

If it ain't broke - don't lend it.

Musiclogic · #3 10-06-2010, 02:10 PM

Sounds like you want a better set-up, not a fret dress. Fret work won't make it play better, just cleaner without buzzes, a better set-up will make your bass play at it's optimum level when done properly.

Zolbol · #4 10-07-2010, 12:02 AM

Lol - thanks guys - Especially mikey - thanks for googling it for me Lol - Its clear its not a home job one should attempt by oneself. Thats more or less what i needed to know.

And no my bass is set up pretty ok just pondering is all.

Thanks for the replies and sorry for the silly question then

chunger · #5 10-07-2010, 11:15 AM

Fret dressing can be done at home, but would probably require the purchase of some tools and/or creative skilled use of found items. Practice on a cheap instrument that does not matter is probably wise.

I personally think setup and fret dressing go hand in hand. You can't have a great one with out the other. The end result of both working together is "butter". I do not believe you can get a truly smooth and buttery setup without the frets being in good order.

Here is a tool that I use often to check and see if an instrument I have actually needs fret leveling or not as well as verify that a fret leveling job has been done right. I reach for it a lot and bring it with me when shopping for instruments.

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Tools/St...xst=3&xsr=1857

JLS · #6 10-07-2010, 05:46 PM

without the frets being in good order.

I agree, completely!

I just worked on a brand-new AM STD Tele (guitar, sorry...),
F7 was low, F10 &11 were both high. Unfortunately, 7.25r fingerboard precludes a lot of E string bending w/o sacrificing action...my point being, this was a new, expensive instrument!

A couple of months ago, I did a bunch of work on a very expensive
boutique instrument, the frets were terrible!

Justin Tuskey · #7 10-07-2010, 05:51 PM

am I the only one who thought that the "let me google it for you" link was absolutely amazing, and great comedic relief? is this a new thing? when did I miss these recent shenanigans on TB?

Zolbol · #8 10-08-2010, 12:03 AM

Thanks people - Yeh after careful consideration i reckon its best left to the pro's hey.. Maybe in time I'll learn the art and become a pro. I am quite handy and like tackling home D.I.Y jobs and wot not and have just defretted my accoustic bass.

But i think this is something else.

Better to watch and learn from someone doing it first than even attempt it myself lol.

Quote:

am I the only one who thought that the "let me google it for you" link was absolutely amazing, and great comedic relief? is this a new thing?

+10000

Mikey - you the man Lol - Roflmao..

OldHack · #9 10-08-2010, 12:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Justin Tuskey

am I the only one who thought that the "let me google it for you" link was absolutely amazing, and great comedic relief? is this a new thing? when did I miss these recent shenanigans on TB?

use this: http://lmgtfy.com/

JLS · #10 10-08-2010, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

http://lmgtfy.com/?q=fret+dress

Yes. Most here have the tools to do it ourselves.

If it ain't broke - don't lend it.

OMG, that's hilarious! Talk about filling a niche.

Yesterday, I was giving away something on Freecycle, gave the part #, still had a half dozen, "Will it fit ___?", questions. That url's gonna get a lot of use...