It's Chinese P-Bass knock off that plays surprisingly well but the frets need a touch up on the ends. I'm not sure what kind of file I need. What should I get?
I want to file the fret ends on a bass
- Thread starter Mjark
- Start date
Wildcard_35
Tele-Holic
It's a little pricey, but I used this on my strat refret and it is pretty great:
It has a side that is non-grooved so you don't mess up the finish on your neck, but I'd still recommend using painter's tape on the areas where there aren't frets so you don't scratch it.
It has a side that is non-grooved so you don't mess up the finish on your neck, but I'd still recommend using painter's tape on the areas where there aren't frets so you don't scratch it.
memorex
Poster Extraordinaire
I do this by hand with sandpaper. I tape up the entire neck with artist paper tape (or painters tape), leaving only the fret ends showing. Then, sand with increasing grits starting at 600, and finish with Micromesh or 0000 steel wool. The same applies to both guitars and basses.
A pic would help.
If you tape off the fretboard a small machinist's file will work without buying something special.
-First, file any sharp points off the fret end either side of the fret that is right against the fretboard. Keep a finger on the fret as you file protecting the fret top.
-Next if the top of the fret at the end is sharp, run the small file over it lightly rounding it as you go from every angle.
-Next take some 400 grit wet/dry paper and using some WD40 or water, polish the fret end making the top you just rounded smooth with a circular motion.
Finally, if you want your frets to shine like a mirror, use a Dremel and cotton wheel with some "3M Finesse It". 5 seconds per fret will make it look like chrome.
If you tape off the fretboard a small machinist's file will work without buying something special.
-First, file any sharp points off the fret end either side of the fret that is right against the fretboard. Keep a finger on the fret as you file protecting the fret top.
-Next if the top of the fret at the end is sharp, run the small file over it lightly rounding it as you go from every angle.
-Next take some 400 grit wet/dry paper and using some WD40 or water, polish the fret end making the top you just rounded smooth with a circular motion.
Finally, if you want your frets to shine like a mirror, use a Dremel and cotton wheel with some "3M Finesse It". 5 seconds per fret will make it look like chrome.
The neck is easily damaged if you use the wong tools - or the right tools wrong.
I strongly suggest having a professional guitar tech do it. It's really not a DIY job if you have to ask what tool to use, as there re hundreds of websites/videos that cover this using just a simple Google search.
I have had to tell far too many players that they have irreparably damaged their frets or neck (and a refret costs more than most used Squiers) that I recommend buying some junk guitars at garage sales and learning on them - NOT on your guitar!
Seriously, NO tech procedure should really be done for their first time on a guitar you own. Just like finish work takes practice on scrap, fret work takes learning on junk guitar - even loose necks - NOT your guitar.
I strongly suggest having a professional guitar tech do it. It's really not a DIY job if you have to ask what tool to use, as there re hundreds of websites/videos that cover this using just a simple Google search.
I have had to tell far too many players that they have irreparably damaged their frets or neck (and a refret costs more than most used Squiers) that I recommend buying some junk guitars at garage sales and learning on them - NOT on your guitar!
Seriously, NO tech procedure should really be done for their first time on a guitar you own. Just like finish work takes practice on scrap, fret work takes learning on junk guitar - even loose necks - NOT your guitar.
haggardfan1
Poster Extraordinaire
Good tip. I never thought of polishing frets with a Dremel...I have one with a bunch of attachments, but I must confess I've never used it.
Freeman Keller
Doctor of Teleocity
If all you have is a little "fret sprout" (probably because you let it get dried out this winter) you can file back to the edge of the fretboard with a six inch medium mill bastard file. Hold the file at about 35 degree and let it ride along the edge of the board until the ends are flush. Then use a small jewelers file or a triangular file "made safe" by grinding the peak off and something like this eraser shield to protect the board and slightly round the faceted end of the fret.
Dismalhead
Doctor of Teleocity
I've used a sanding block and sandpaper and done similar to what @memorex says above.
As far as paying a tech to do it, I'd do it myself if it was a cheap guitar. I built half a dozen partscasters a few years back and I did all kinds of stuff I wouldn't have done with my expensive name brand guitars. If you are worried about ruining it though, then maybe a tech is the route to take.
As far as paying a tech to do it, I'd do it myself if it was a cheap guitar. I built half a dozen partscasters a few years back and I did all kinds of stuff I wouldn't have done with my expensive name brand guitars. If you are worried about ruining it though, then maybe a tech is the route to take.
A fret file?
it's just the final "shine up" I'm talking about.
58Bassman
Tele-Holic
Got pics?
I use a stewmac 1/8" nut seating file they used to sell before the big ones, or sometimes a triangular file. Jewelers file sets have a variety. The nut file has ground edges. It's a push and roll on each side of the fret. You get into a rhythm.
www.tdpri.com
post 369 for the triangular file info
All 3 files have factory made safe edges:
Let's make a neck!
I use a small triangular file to create a little v with a couple swipes on the fret slot. Somebody in another thread said this was a Dan Erlewine tip. Fretwire is extruded so it has a fillet ( fill -it) at the tang and bead intersection. This helps start the fret and also supposedly...
post 369 for the triangular file info
All 3 files have factory made safe edges:
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