Uneven frets are a common problem on electric guitars, and they can cause a variety of issues, including fret buzz, dead spots, and poor intonation. If you’re experiencing any of these problems, it’s likely that your frets need to be leveled.
There are a number of things that can cause uneven frets, including:
- Normal wear and tear: Frets are made of a relatively soft metal, and they will wear down over time, especially if you play your guitar a lot.
- Improper setup: If your guitar’s neck relief is too low or the action is too low, it can put extra stress on the frets, causing them to wear unevenly.
- Manufacturing defects: Sometimes, guitars come from the factory with uneven frets. This is more common on cheaper guitars, but it can happen to any guitar.
If you think your frets may be uneven, there are a few things you can do to check. First, try fretting each note on the fretboard and see if any of them buzz. If they do, it’s a good indication that the frets are uneven. You can also use a fret rocker to check for high frets. A fret rocker is a tool that looks like a small seesaw. You place it across two frets and then push down on the middle. If the fret rocker rocks, it means that the fret is high.
If you’ve determined that your frets need to be leveled, there are two ways to do it: take your guitar to a professional luthier, or do it yourself. If you’re not comfortable working on your own guitar, it’s best to take it to a luthier. However, if you’re handy and have the right tools, you can level your frets yourself.
To level your frets, you will need the following tools:
- Fret rocker: This tool is used to identify high frets.
- Fret leveling file: This file is used to level the frets.
- Fret crowning file: This file is used to crown the frets after they have been leveled.
- Micro mesh pads: These pads are used to polish the frets after they have been crowned.
Instructions:
- Remove the strings.
- Use the fret rocker to identify any high frets.
- Use the fret leveling file to level the high frets.
- Use the fret crowning file to crown the frets.
- Use the micro mesh pads to polish the frets.
- Reinstall the strings and tune the guitar.
Here are some additional tips for leveling frets:
- Take your time and be careful. It’s better to take too little off than too much.
- Use light strokes. Don’t press down too hard on the file.
- Check your progress frequently. Use the fret rocker to make sure that the frets are being leveled evenly.
- Once you’re finished leveling the frets, be sure to crown them and polish them. This will help to improve the playability and sound of your guitar.
Leveling frets can be a bit of a challenge, but it’s a rewarding skill to have. If you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you can learn to do it yourself and save yourself a lot of money in the long run.
