Guitar Repair Technician 201 (GRT201): Advanced Fret Levelling, Recrowning & Finish

Precision Fret Work & Neck Dynamics
16 hours – 2 consecutive days – Certificate course

GRT201 is the next step in our Guitar Repair Technician pathway (GRT101 → 201 → 205). Designed for graduates of GRT101 who now want to transform “good” fret jobs into truly professional work, this weekend intensive couples deep neck-behaviour theory with guided hands-on practice. By the end, you’ll understand the workflow, fixtures and feel required for levelling, recrowning and polishing to a flawless standard.

Enrollment
Spaces are limited to ensure maximum instructor interaction. Reserve early to secure your bench.

What You’ll Be Able to Do

Diagnose neck behaviour under string tension and decide what can and can’t be fixed in a levelling job.

Plan & execute precision fret levelling with full-length support jigs and metrology-grade straight-edges.

Recrown, dress & polish each fret so intonation stays centred and bends feel glassy.

Bevel & round fret ends for smooth fretboard edges.

Optimize nut slots or replace nut to match your newly levelled surface.

Explain repair choices to clients with clear inspection sheets and realistic expectations.

Class Overview (drop-down menu)

Mastering neck-support theory: cauls, Erlewine-style jigs & tension simulation.
Mapping relief and twist with feeler gauges, dial indicators & fret rockers.
Progressive levelling: beam strokes, grit sequencing, spot-vs-full strategies.
Diamond-file recrowning and micro-mesh polishing for mirror finishes.
Fret-end aesthetics: safe-edge files, bevel angles & edge burnishing.
Nut slot depths, widths & break-angles.
Limits of correction: when warped necks require refretting or structural work (preview of GRT205).

Required Supplies & Tools (drop-down menu)

Electric guitar with strings installed
A second low-end “practice” guitar (also electric) is highly recommended
A fresh set of strings (plus a spare) for re-stringing and play-testing
Pen, pencil, and calculator
Guitar mat, towel, or rag to protect work surfaces
Full length neck support — either one full-length caul or multiple individual rests
Electronic chromatic tuner (pedal, clip-on, or smartphone app)
6″ steel ruler marked in 64ths
32-blade feeler-gauge set in 0.001″ increments
Precision Exacto Knife
Notched straight-edge matched to your scale length
Full scale-length straight edge (multiple lengths recommended)
Fret rocker
Nut file set
Small flashlight
Unused painters brush
Light tack masking tape
“Thin” Super Glue (low viscosity cyanoacrylate glue)
Super Glue Solvent, as well as liquid lighter fluid (Ronsonol/Zippo)
Fine-tip black Sharpie
Old newspaper (to collect dust/shavings)
Steel wool #0000 (ultra fine – only)
PPE (optional): Dust mask, nitril gloves, safety goggles

Strongly recommended (or borrow ours in class):

Fret-levelling beam (full-length), sanding blocks, mill file
Fret-crowning file(s): diamond, three-corner, or safe-edge style
Polishing media options: Micro-Mesh sheets, fret erasers, steel wool, sandpaper (320, 400, 600, 800, 1000, 1200), or stick sander (when using diamond crowning file)
Fret-end dressing file(s) for bevels and edge rounding
Nut slotting/shaping tools: gauged nut files, slotting saws, sanding blocks, mini-chisels

Note: If you don’t yet own the fret-specific tools, we keep class sets on hand, but having your own speeds up the practical session and lets you continue practising immediately after the course.