When I assess a guitar for set up, the first thing I do is sight down the neck. I want to see how much ” relief ” or bow is in the neck. I like to have the neck as straight as possible to check for unlevel frets, twist in the neck, and humps in a certain part of the fret board. I also like to move the truss rod a bit to make sure it works properly.

Once I have sighted the neck and made necessary adjustments to make sure it is straight, I take a fret rocker (multi sided straight edge) and check the frets, three at a time to make sure they are level. If I encounter a high fret, the straight edge will teeter back and forth to the other two lower frets on each side. I always check on the bass side, middle , and treble side while the guitar is tuned to pitch. Because the frets are over radiused before installed, they have a bit of spring to them. Frets can become unlevel on one side or the other as well as the middle, causing buzzing on specific areas and strings.

Once I have determined the need for a fret level, I remove the strings and adjust the truss rod again to make sure the neck is straight. I may mark certain areas of the frets with a sharpe that visually stand out as high spots in the fret board. I pay close attention to what the neck was like with string tension as well as with out to see how the plain of the neck changes. I want to account for these changes when leveling.

Depending on the severity of unlevelness, I will use either a leveling bar with 220 grit sand paper or a single cut fret leveling or mill file. I always check for loose frets that maybe glued before I start leveling. I prefer a leveling bar or file over a radiused block so I can better control the amount of material I take off in a certain area.

Once I have milled the frets level I need to go through with a crowning file to make the frets round again. I use a 150 grit diamond crowning file and then touch up with a 300 grit crowning file.

Once the frets are levels and crowned I go through the process of dressing the frets with 360, 400, 600, steel wool, and 800 grit. Then I follow with micro mesh sanding pads that go from 1500 to 12,000 grit. I finally finish with a light buffing compound and a buffing wheel on my Dremel tool to give the frets a smooth, mirror like finish. At this point I am ready to string and setup the instrument.

Unlevel frets is very common problem that can show up on new guitars as well as used instruments. Buzzing and sizzling sounds in a specific area are common signs of unlevel frets as well as divots and wear from general playing, which can cause intonation issues as well as buzz. Set ups are general maintenance for guitars and fret levels are needed on well played instruments to insure even playability so if you haven’t had your guitar looked at in a while, take time to visit your favorite guitar tech. You’ll be glad you did!

Posted By: Dave Anderson
Read more about the author: http://www.riverfronttimes.com/2012-12-06/music/dave-anderson-interview-tritone-guitar/

Fret Levels For Accurate Guitar Set Ups from MyRareGuitars.com

Guitars & Amps store (The Netherlands)

Whether you are an absolute beginner or a professional artist, you will find our shop packed with high-value musical instruments and accessories, carefully chosen from the worlds leading suppliers and manufacturers.

Of course we have the big names in store like Fender, Gibson, Gretsch, PRS, Ovation, Takamine and Taylor. We also stock guitars from quality brands like Larrivée, Furch, Jackson, Schecter, Framus, Duesenberg and the one and only Nik Huber. In addition, we keep an eye on new and interesting developments on our visits to international trade shows (Los Angeles, London, Frankfurt). There, for instance, we spotted up-and-coming brand Eastwood from Canada: professional quality guitars at a very affordable price. Another brand we took on board is Spear Guitars, who also absolutely amazed us with their great value for money.

We also stock the best in amplifiers, effects and audio solutions. You will find a great selection of Koch, Marshall, Vox, Bogner, Mesa Boogie, Brunetti, Orange, Hiwatt, Fender and Blackstar amps, to name a few, and cool effect pedals from brands like Dunlop, Vox, Ernie Ball, Fender, RMC, Fulltone, Voodoo Lab, Z-Vex, T-Rex, MI Audio, Visual Sound, Emma, Toadworks, Blackstar, Maxon, Lehle, Love Pedal, Menatone, Mad Professor etc. You’re welcome to take your time and test anything and everything in our separate test rooms. After all, nothing is more personal than tone.

Guitars & Amps
van Berchenstraat 3-B
6511 BA Nijmegen
the Netherlands
+31 (0)24-3604582

Dealer Profile: Guitars & Amps (The Netherlands) from MyRareGuitars.com

Rudy's Guitar Stop (New York City, NY)

Here is my son Troy standing out front of the famous Rudy’s Guitar Stop on 48th Street.

Rudy's Guitar Stop (New York City, NY)

Rudy has built one of the most beautiful guitar stores on the planet. You must go there! Here we pose in front of one of his displays, this one dedicated to Eastwood Guitars.

Ludlow's Guitars (New York City, NY)

Can’t get up uptown?

Ludlow's Guitars (New York City, NY)

Well just go one block southeast of First & First to Ludlow’s Guitars.

Ludlow's Guitars (New York City, NY)

Drop in for a visit to Ludlow Guitars, 164 Ludlow St, well stocked with all current Eastwood Guitars models.

Our Trip to Guitar Stores in New York City (March 2007) from MyRareGuitars.com

Sound Metak (Milano, Italy)

Xabier Iriondo opened SOUND METAK in October 2005. He sells vintage/collector instruments and musical objects like old lap steels (K&F, National, Gibson, Epiphone, Dobro), autoharps, monochords, boutique effects pedals (Cornish, Klon, Menatone, Effector13, etc), accessories, old gramophones and 78rpm records (early blues & jazz, tango’s, etc) and – Eastwood guitars!

www.soundmetak.com

Contact: Xabier Iriondo

Sound Metak
+39 0245493391
P.le Segrino, 1
20159 Milano
ITALY

Dealer Profile: Sound Metak (Milano, Italy) from MyRareGuitars.com