EAST BAY GUITAR REPAIR
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What's a Fret Level and Why Do I Need One?


  • The string (dashed line) should pass over the tops of all of the frets.
  • A high fret (area in red), interrupts the vibration of the string when playing one or several frets before it, causing fret buzz, dead notes, and muted or "choked" bends. 
  • Conversely, low, flat, worn, and divoted frets can cause this issue as this lowers fret height, making the subsequent fret higher.​
Picture
  • To fix this, the fret needs to be levelled, crowned, dressed, and the guitar properly setup to optimize the new fret heights
  • Levelling is the removal of this high area by using sandpaper, aluminum beams, files and sanding blocks. There are many different fret sizes and shapes, each requiring a unique approach.
  • Crowning is the reshaping of the now flattened fret top, or "crown" with diamond coated files, so that it's round and gives the string a narrow point of contact or "nodal point". A very flat nodal point can actually cause intonation issues since the string is making inconsistent contact with the fret. 
  • Dressing is fine smoothening and polishing of the fret. I use fine grits around 1500-2000 for this, as opposed to rougher grits like 320 used for the levelling. 
  • The last step is the setup, which is detailed here, to ensure that everything else on the guitar is in harmony with now optimized fret plane.

Hours

By appointment

Email

[email protected]

Address

4600 Adeline St.Unit 116
​Emeryville, CA 94608
  • Home
    • Testimonials
    • Experience
  • Tour the Shop
    • Standard Setup
    • Level & Dress
    • Merchandise
  • Prices
  • Contact & Location
    • East Bay Guitar Repair
    • San Diego Guitar Repair