To level,or not level (frets)?

dregsfan · #1 03-09-2009, 08:21 PM

I'm assembling another bass and normally I level the frets when I recieve the neck from Warmoth or (the past few have been) from USA Custom Guitars. I'm wondering how necessary it is to do on these brand new necks. Are their any of you builders that use these necks alot and do you usually do a fret level. These basses are for my own personal use. Thanks, John

John Wentzien · #2 03-09-2009, 08:29 PM

I always do a fret-level on a new neck myself. Peace of mind mostly.

dregsfan · #3 03-09-2009, 08:42 PM

John, Good reason to do it. Thanks

John Wentzien · #4 03-09-2009, 08:46 PM

I'd rather do it, and know for sure!
I make sure there aren't any sharp fret ends too...I hate that.

JLS · #5 03-10-2009, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dregsfan

I'm assembling another bass and normally I level the frets when I recieve the neck from Warmoth or (the past few have been) from USA Custom Guitars. I'm wondering how necessary it is to do on these brand new necks. Are their any of you builders that use these necks alot and do you usually do a fret level. These basses are for my own personal use. Thanks, John

I've never seen a Warmoth neck that didn't need a fret level/recrown.

dregsfan · #6 03-10-2009, 09:40 AM

I think I'll just do this neck as well. Much Thanks John & JLS..........Oh yea. Would it be best to do the level and recrown with the neck off the body or mounted to it?

JLS · #7 03-12-2009, 10:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dregsfan

I think I'll just do this neck as well. Much Thanks John & JLS..........Oh yea. Would it be best to do the level and recrown with the neck off the body or mounted to it?

I do them with the instrument strung & at pitch, with 1/2" U-channel & PSA sandpaper. This one has a detachable wood handle.

Brado · #8 03-12-2009, 10:48 AM

If the bass is assembled & strung, take the strings off. Adjust the truss rod so that the neck is perfectly straight without the string tension. Use a leveling file (Stew Macdonald has some good ones) & very lightly go over them all. Don't press too hard; you don't want to take off too much metal. Just feel & listen. When you feel the file glide easily over a certain spot & don't hear much "chatter", move to another. You'll see that some spots create a wider band on the fret top. That's ok. That's why you're leveling them in the first place. Eyeball your work. If you see any spots that are obviously high or low, even them out. You can use the same file to do the angle on the fret ends...about a 35degree angle or so. Crown 'em....then use 320 sandpaper/ then 600/ then 1000/ then 0000 steel wool. They should shine up like mirrors. Put the strings back on/ level the neck back out/ set the bass up from there.