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Post by exyearrboy on Jun 2, 2004 17:36:05 GMT -5
Okay, since this will all be an issue, I'll start a ton of threads at once to deal with it: How should I go about dressing the frets on my squier neck? They're a bit rough and I want to polish them down a bit. Thanks
Ty
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Post by Steelpriest on Jun 3, 2004 2:43:06 GMT -5
In any case: Be careful what you do!  If I understand it right, the frets are somewhat rough and you just want to polish them? Why are they rough? Because the guitar is almost new or still hardly played? Play the guitar for a certain period and the strings will polish the frets automatically. If you really want to lay your hands on the frets use steel wool to polish them, make sure to cover all wooden parts to save them from scratches... I don´t recommend trying "levelling" frets at home without havin the right tools and an amount of experience.  Frets are easily ruined by unskilled hands... That would be annoying and expensive!  |
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Post by RB on Jun 3, 2004 10:53:17 GMT -5
I agree with steel, you can screw them up very easily... If there new just play the guitar for a while.... but if you feel the need too, try very fine steelwool #000....Cover the fret board and all electronics ie: pick ups as the steelwool will be attracted to them.... Take your time, be careful.... |
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Post by exyearrboy on Jun 5, 2004 1:47:15 GMT -5
Actually, their current state makes them much easier... the neck's already separated from the body which is now being prepped for finishing. The problem I have is that the frets are a bit sharp on the bottom of the neck and I'd like to smooth them down a bit to enable a more playable axe. I'd guess files are used for this, I'd rather smooth it with a file than my tender fingers. Cheers
Ty
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Post by Steelpriest on Jun 5, 2004 2:47:53 GMT -5
Oh boy, be careful with a file... move it only in one direction... you might easily pull the fret from the wood... I had this job of removing sharp edges done by a guitar tech and it cost me only 10 bucks and was 10 minutes work for that skilled guitar tech, I would never risk doing such a delicate job myself. Just my opinion...  |
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Post by exyearrboy on Jun 7, 2004 18:53:33 GMT -5
Normally I'd be totally in that court, but since I was a few inches from tossing the neck altogether (it's a 1999 Squier that's about as broad as a classical neck), but figured it was good wood and had the CBS headstock... But I'll be brain surgery careful. Thanks for the input.
Ty
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Post by exyearrboy on Jun 7, 2004 23:20:05 GMT -5
Okay, situation resolved. I was sanding down the base of the fretboard because it was basically a 90 degree angle and made playing a bit less fun than it should have been.
Method:
I sanded down the wood edge carefully with slightly moist 100 grain sandpaper until it was smooth. After I got the smoothness I wanted on the edge I rocked the neck in my hands while quickly and lightly rubbing the sandpaper to smooth it out. To finish it off, I took a 150 "grit" abrasive pad type thing which I cupped in my hand and lightly and really quickly rubbed over a small area of a couple frets. This polished and smoothed the frets up really nicely and made the sanded edges smooth, even, and uniform. The finish is now gone, but I don't mind too much. I figure I'll rub some lemon oil on it and let it sit for a while (it's not going onto the body until I get it (the body) finished, which will be some time from now due to monetary constraints).
But as of now, I'm happy. The neck feels a whole lot better on my hands, the frets are smooth and polished, and I didn't totally ruin the neck. Cheers
Ty
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Post by Uriah on Jun 19, 2004 19:37:55 GMT -5
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If I understand it right, the frets are somewhat rough and you just want to polish them? Why are they rough? Because the guitar is almost new or still hardly played? Play the guitar for a certain period and the strings will polish the frets automatically. If you really want to lay your hands on the frets use steel wool to polish them, make sure to cover all wooden parts to save them from scratches... 
Frets are easily ruined by unskilled hands... That would be annoying and expensive! 
