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Sharp Edge Frets

Mike 257

Mike 257

Mar 8, 2011
254
43
64
KCMO
#1
I picked up a new Squier VM Jazz. I am very happy with everything except the edges of the frets are very sharp, it looks like they were installed and just chopped off flush with the binding. My question is , can I take a file and bevel the ends . Im good with a file and confident I can bevel them all the same angle . Im thinking I will then use a very fine sanding block and blend them into the binding then polish the edge.

I just want to know if there is anything I need to know before I do this .
 
#3
Beveling th fret ends is cool as long as you take your tme. Stew Mac, LMI AND ebay are good places to find fret end beveling files and fret end files which allow you to clean up the rough edges without marring the fretboard. Google "Ultimate Fret File", you'll probably find the "fret guru" file which works great along with those from Stew Mac and LMI
 
#4
ok guys I already started the job, It took me an hour to do one entire side with just removing the G string. I taped off everything that I did not want the file to touch. I looked at my Marcus Miller to see what angle was used on those frets and I did the same on the Squier . I got as close to the white binding as I could without touching it. After I hit every fret I then went back with a smaller finer file and hit the edge untill it blended into the binding. I then took 400 grit sandpaper on a block and ran it the length of the neck hitting the tips of the frets and blending it into the binding . I even knocked the sharp edge off the binding and it now has a nice slight rounded contour . I took some mild polishing compound on a rag and rubbed the entire edge polishing the fret tips and smoothing the binding. It looks really good and actually feels smoother than my Marcus. Tomorrow I will do the top half , I did the bottom first in case I messed anything up it would not be so visible .
crappy cell phone pic
frett.gif
 
#8
Arranger ,thank you for the compliment .
Stiletto , I'm a perfectionist and my eyesight is not that great .I had to work with magnifing glasses , I could see every little mark the file put in the metal and wanted to polish them out .mind you i was even nervous about removing the string from the bass since I have never done that either . I'm surprised it only took me one hour to complete one side .
 
#10
Thank You guys for the compliments, my crappy cell phone pics do the work no justice. Im really surprised myself how polished the tips look and how well they blended into the rest of the fret . These frets were so sharp you couldn't run your finger across the neck with getting snagged . I love this bass now.
 
#11
Immigrant said:
You did a wonderful job!

I bought a couple of Stewmac files and I'm scared to use em. You have given me the brass to try. Thank you.
Click to expand...


I used black electrical tape on each side of the fret and on to the neck . Masking tape was to thin , I didnt want to run the risk of the file cutting through the tape . Be carefull when you get close to the body , tape off the end of your file and even tape on the body so you dont jab the file into the body and scratch it.
 

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