Fret File Size?

[M5Yates]

I need to recrown the frets on my '82 Precision.
The previous owner leveled them, but left the tops flat.
They measure .110" wide.
What size file do I need to use - medium or large?

[202dy]

Fender used a medium fret ~.086" for a very long time. They still use a medium fret on many necks. Is there evidence that your '82 was refretted in the past?

A .110" fret width is a jumbo fret. It will require the largest fret file. Diamond coated files allow you to perform work very quickly. But they do leave a scratched surface that will have to be dealt with. The 150 grit side on this file is very aggressive. Be careful. It is easy to cause a lot of damage in a few strokes.

Many luthiers prefer a three corner file as opposed to the offset design. The three corner file allows you to handle frets of all sizes. It may take a few minutes to learn the technique and a few minutes more to finish the job. But unless you are experienced or very handy it is the safer choice.

[M5Yates]

I just remeasured - .106"
I thought that Fender has used Medium Jumbo frets on their basses since 1967 (except vintage reissues).

Are you sure a triangle file is better than a concave one for a beginner? I was only going to use 300 or 400 grit, then polish with a microfiber pad.
I'm worried that I'll have trouble getting the sides even if I do them one at a time.

Dan Erlewine's book says that diamond files leave less marks than a regular file.
Is that not right?

Thanks,
Bill

[202dy]

Not sure which of Dan's books you are talking about. A perusal of the GP Repair does not turn up the quote. However, Dan freely admits to having a bunch of different files on the bench when crowning. That is the advantage to being a pro and having lots of tools.

If I may be uncharacteristically familiar for a moment, when performing fret work I will have three corner files, diamonds, the Gurian file, and anything else that will get the job done quickly on the bench. Typically the three corner file is used to take out the scratches from a 300 grit diamond file. Then the ridiculously fine three corner file is used to take out the last of the scratches left by the regular three corner file. A nut seating file is used to get at a nasty edge burr left by any other file. Then comes the Micromesh abrasives from 2400 to 12,000. If done correctly this regimen will leave a mirror finish. Want to skip the Micromesh? Then some 400, then 600 grit followed by some 0000 steel wool will give a great look, too. BTW, I don't care about arguments against the use of steel wool. I mask off the pickups and vacuum the area before removing any tape.

If I can only have one file it would be a three corner file with safe edges. I made the one I use. Stewart MacDonalds are very nice, too.

[M5Yates]

Thanks for the help.
I'll try using a three corner file first and practice on my kids Bullet bass.

[DavidRavenMoon]

I don't use one of those crowning files... they are a pain. Get yourself one of these 3 corner files:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...ing_Files.html

Or something like this:

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting...sing_File.html

I made my own three corner file. You just round the edges over after you level the frets to get rip of the flat top. Stop right as you round the flat off the top, and try not to file the tops.

[202dy]

Originally Posted by M5Yates

Thanks for the help.
I'll try using a three corner file first and practice on my kids Bullet bass.

Unless money is not an issue do not practice on the Bullet. Better still, if money isn't an issue you should take it to a tech so he can make living. Instead, go to a flea market and pick up a junk guitar and practice on that. Or buy some fret wire and install it on a piece of lumber and practice on that. That is even better because you will get a feel for how tight or loose the frets are seated in a fingerboard.

[M5Yates]

Money is tight here, but what should it cost to have someone else do the job?

Thanks