Guitar Repair Technician 205 (GRT205): Advanced Fret Work & Refretting

Master the art of fret replacement from partial repairs to full professional refrets.
16 hours – 2 consecutive days – Certificate course

GRT205 is a two-day, advanced, hands-on course designed for experienced technicians and serious luthiers-in-training who are ready to tackle complete refrets, partial refrets, and advanced fret finishing techniques. Building on the foundation from GRT201, you’ll diagnose fretwear patterns, execute precision fretwork, and learn how to deliver flawless results—whether restoring a vintage instrument or upgrading a working player’s guitar.

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

What You’ll Learn

How to evaluate fret condition and decide between a full refret, partial refret, or other repair approach.

Step-by-step fret removal techniques designed to prevent chip-out and protect the fingerboard.

Cleaning, repairing, and preparing fret slots for precise fretwire fit.

Selecting, pre-shaping, and installing fretwire for both bound and unbound fingerboards.

Using press-fit and hammer installation methods for consistent seating.

Blending new frets into existing ones for seamless partial refrets.

And much more!

Class Overview (drop-down menu)

Diagnosing fret condition and wear patterns to choose between full or partial refrets.
Safe fret removal on bound and unbound boards using heat, pullers, and chip-prevention methods.
Fret slot cleaning, repair, and depth/width adjustment for precise seating.
Pre-radiusing, cutting, and tang-undercutting for accurate fretwire prep.
Press-fit and hammer-set installation methods for consistent, secure fretting.
Blending and matching new frets in partial refret scenarios.
Full levelling, diamond-file crowning, and micro-mesh polishing for glass-smooth playability.
Beveling and rounding fret ends for professional comfort and aesthetics.
Final nut height adjustments to match new fret height and maintain perfect action.

Required Supplies & Tools (drop-down menu)

Your guitar (electric) with strings installed
A fresh set of strings (plus a spare) for re-stringing and play-testing
Pen, pencil, and calculator
Choice of fretwire for your project (bring extra lengths)
Guitar mat to protect work surfaces
Stable 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
Unused painters brush
Light tack masking tape
“Thin” Super Glue & Solvent
Fine-tip Sharpie
Polishing materials – Micro-Mesh sheets/sticks, polishing compounds
Fret rocker
Fret end dressing file(s)
Radius gauges (understring or standard set)
Straight edge / notched straight edge combo (fretboard length)
Fret Guards

Strongly recommended (or borrow ours in class):

Handheld fret press or fret arbor press
Slot-cleaning & chip repair tools
Fret Tang Tool Set (crimper + barber)
Fret pullers
Fret cutters
Fret tang nipper
Fret/fingerboard levelling files
Full-length fret levelling beam or sanding blocks
Fret-crowning files – diamond, three-corner, or safe-edge style
Nut 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.