Home
/
Guitar Repair Classes
/
Fret Work Class

LEARN PRO LEVEL GUITAR FRETWORK

Fretworks Crash Course

Join us for this exclusive 2-day Fretworks Crash course and learn professional refretting and fret levelling methods – on your own electric guitar! From neck assessment, to fret removal, to fretboard planing, to refretting, levelling, crowning and lastly the final polishing. Now offered with select specialty tools provided (see below). Interested only in fret dressing (level/crown/polish)? Join us on Day 2 and learn the great art of a professional fret dressing.

Fret work is a challenging area although this class is structured for beginners and those with little experience. It is a thorough introduction to the basics of refretting, and like any skill, requires practice to hone the skills taught (results will vary). All experience levels are welcome, including none at all!

We will cover theory, proper removal of frets, planing and polishing the fingerboard, cleaning and treating the fret slots, installing new frets, leveling/crowning and polishing methods – on your own ELECTRIC GUITAR (unbound rosewood or satin-finished unbound maple fretboards only).

Approx. 15 Hours

Class Overview, Day 1:

Refretting theory and application, common problems and work arounds
Assessing neck integrity, checking for twists & warps using sight methods and tools
Strategize refret after assessment
Remove frets
Clean fretboard, plane out mild twists and imperfections
Clean fret slots
Prepare new frets, shape and size
Refret using traditional hammer-in or press method
Trim fret overhang

Class Overview, Day 2:

Fret Levelling
Insure frets uniform height, level out inconsistencies
File fret ends and bevel
Recrown frets (re-shape)
Polish out all tool marks
Restring and play

Supplies Needed:

Your guitar, new set of strings
Pen or pencil
2 x cloth, towel, or rag to set your guitar on (we’ll be using tables)
Cloth/rag to clean your guitar
Neck rest
Unused paint brush
Newspaper
XActo/hobbyist knife
Thin viscosity cyanoacrylate glue – available at hobbyist stores or Lee Valley
Cyanoacrylate glue solvent – available at hobbyist stores or Lee Valley
Bottle of lighter fluid (ex. Ronsonol, Zippo, etc.)
Black Sharpie marker
Low-tack painters masking tape
2″x 2″ Micro-mesh sanding discs (set of 9, #1500-12000 grits) – available at Stewmac.com or Lee Valley
Double-edge or offset diamond fret crowning file
Fret-end dressing file
**40W or variable soldering iron w/ brand new tip
**Sponge for cleaning solder iron
**6′ your choice fretwire (Stewart MacDonald, Jescar or Dunlop is recommended)