Guitar Fret Leveling Why and How - Part 1 of 2 

Ho. Ly. Shite. I bet you had NO idea or even intention really, when you started filming this, that you were going to end up making literally the *best* instructional video (ok, videoS) about DIY fret levelling on the whole damn internet. I'm blown away. Not even remotely kidding: I just got on Amazon and ordered $140 (US dollars) worth of the few basic tools (straight edge with notches, 16" beam, nice crown file, etc) I was still lacking to go ahead and do this on two of my guitars, because I feel like I can handle it now. At least like I'll make them *slightly* better, instead of worse. I wish I had seen your channel about 7 months ago, before I paid a pro $230 to level and crown my Strat. Shoulda bought nice tools with that dosh instead. I've been READING about the process in forums and stuff ever since I paid that painful amount, but hadn't seen anything like this. THANK YOU. I know you haven't uploaded any more stuff in like almost a decade, but... Dude. You should!

This is NOT a negative comment. I like this vid. I do things a little differently however. When I encounter a high fret, I first determine that it is properly seated across the neck. Often times it isn't! I lightly tap it across the fret and check it again. I do that with all the high frets, then I wick in some glue to keep them in place. I also try to sell the customer on gluing all the frets. On several ocasions, I've not had to level the frets at all after doing this.

This is a brilliant contribution to RU-vid and such a breath of fresh air after watching so many videos of people with nothing to offer but simply like seeing themselves on the internet. Thank you for sharing with us.

Without a doubt this is the best informative, precise.and easily explaned tutotial Ive ever seen on youtube really well filmed with super close - ups , no gimicks, no silly rock music,and no one playing at being the rock star with every second sentance ending with the word Awsome !! .I salute you sir for bringing sanity to RU-vid regards PB

Great, great job!! No excessive unnecessary talking, great graphics. Very useful info. Thank you SO Much!!

After watching about a dozen of these "fret leveling " videos, I think hands down yours is the best in description, video and close up pictures! Great job

You just explained and showed very simply what 100+ other videos could not, how to adjust the truss rod and why. Thank you!

This is the best fret levelling documentary on you tube...Thank you, brother...

This is by far the best tutorial I've come across for fret work......very well done.

Please make more videos. Yours are the best I have seen on fret work. There are many of us out here that need the EXCELLENT teaching that you present.

This is a good channel. Not only does he know what he's talking about, but he also explains it very well.

Best, most in depth tutorial on RU-vid without the garbage.

This is easily the best video I've ever seen on sanding the frets level. Thanks for the detailed procedure and not talking too much! On to part 2...

Dude, do you realize that you have over 6 thousand subscribers with only three videos (and two of them make one video; part 1 and part 2). That is how good your work is and I sure would love to see more videos from you. Hope all is well and congratulations on knocking it out of the park.

After watching your technique and attention to detail in parts 1 & 2, I can see that you are NOT a hack--I'd trust you to work on my rigs anytime. Great illustrations in your tutorial -well done!

Man finally someone who shows and explains why the and how the frets are uneven

The Fret Rockers sounds like a pretty cool band name ..

Best instructional videos on neck work on the net. Well done man and thanks for the excellent editing. Subscribed.

Just want to say thank you, i have my tech didn't want to touch it and after watching all different techs on you tube i decided to try your method since i already had 95% of what i needed. Only bought a slotted bar. Carne out awesome! Thanks for the videos!

Thanks for the videos, its refreshing to see guys not product placing during their videos

Excellent & informative video. Now this all finally makes sense! Please make more videos like this Duncan. You really have gift for explaining guitar repairs & your video production was also truly excellent! God bless you & thanks!!!!

What a refreshing change to have a video & instruction delivered in a educational & clear & interesting way not shouting "hi you tubers blah blah etc im subscribed exactly

This video is better than many others out there because of the great close-up camera work showing fret detail magnified. Well-done!

Duncan, i think you did a terrific job with this, ignore any pathetic negative comms. Cliff

This is one of the best how to videos I have seen. Great job and thank you Duncan!

Great video. The video where the person leveled the frets in a side to side or x pattern using a leveling beam that almost covers the entire length of the fret board as opposed to sanding the long axis which in theory removes more material from the center frets isn’t wrong or the only right way to do fret leveling (watched Fender’s master luthier level frets and he didn’t use a side to side motion). Methodically working the beam, without pressure applied, while continuously checking the amount of material being removed from a fret is the key to success, after ensuring the neck is set level before working the frets. Removing small amounts of material at a time, is critical to the process. “You can always remove material, but you can’t put material back if you’ve “over leveled”. This is one of the first videos I’ve seen where he created a fall away at the upper end of the fret board. This is a technique that is used on guitars that do not have fall away. Some Fender Strats and Tele guitars have what is called a micro-tilt adjustment. These are the guitars you may have seen with the little hole between the bottom neck screw holes. This micro-tilt is the ability to adjust the heel of the neck (raising or lowering) based on the individual players action preference. Great video.

Excellent video. I did the frets on my first bass guitar the other day using tips from your video. Turned out excellent!!! saved me $150, now I can do all my guitars myself

Absolutely the best tutorial in the interweb! and I have watched alot of them.. thanks and great job

great demonstration this man really knows how to do his work perfectly

Excellent video. I've been struggling with un-level frets on a guitar for 3 weeks now, going about it completely wrong. Thanks for clearing up all my misconceptions!

I watched dozens of fretting videos, this is the best one by far. I had these two videos at my side as I was doing my first ever re-fret on my 20 year old Jackson PS-1 super strat. Thanks to this clear and concise instructional the re-fret was bang-on, first time! Cheers from a fellow Scot :-)

this is the best video of it's time on the internet..fantastic...informative and interesting from an expert who knows what they're doing..also the simple format of the video is brilliant...no stupid incessant music or distractions.. Superb.thank you.

Great video s and information. Attention to detail was awesome!

I think the way you Mark the frets makes a lot more sense than just marking them all black from the beginning, especially with looking at possible fretboard deviation and saving fret material etc.

Beautiful. The best demo on RU-vid. Superb filming quality. Thanks

1of the best detailed, quality, fret job I’ve watched to date. Thank u..maybe in the future u can do a vid on nut repair/fine tuning guitar nuts. Thx

Fantastically Illustrated my friend! Really great work you did on this video. Top notch quality stuff here. Thank you, very much.

Thank you, Duncan, for clear and instructive videos. So much better than ones where they mumble or ham it up to the camera.

Very good instructional- very detailed. Most of these youtube videos don't show the craftsman actually doing the work- it's like they're afraid to show their work.

I sure see a lot of mouthy poison comments spewing onto videos made by professional luthiers like yourself. I find this video very interesting and helpful. Of course one has to have some degree of common sense to do the things that are not specifically included in the video they are watching, like turning on the lights in a dark shop. They don’t have to watch your videos and are certainly welcome to publish their own instructional video that we don’t watch and post poisonous comments if we do... thanks for posting this, I’m on my third guitar and learning more every step of the way, thanks to your knowledge, insight and the generous sharing of your time...

The two colors only on the high and low spots is my biggest takeaway. Thanx man.

The presentation, pace and level of detail in your tutorial videos is excellent. This one gave me confidence to try my own fretwork. Well done, you should really do more.

Great video! Thank you for not talking about things that are not relevant. You are obviusly a great guitartech, a good teacher and a great film director on top of that! Nice!

this is one of the best how to videos on youtube I have ever seen!

Duncan - thanks for your wonderful RU-vid video on Fret Dressing. It's the best I've seen. And your explanations are enlightening and very helpful to understanding rather than just applying a receipt. Thanks for your generous help and spirit!

Like your method. Seems more precise than others I've seen. Thanks for the info.

Thank you for this. It is very informative, and you’ve done a fine job with the production. It is easy to see what you are doing, and your explanations are clear. It is a pleasure to watch and learn from you.

Partner, I want to thank you for your craftsmanship and pride put into your work. Your presentation is totally awesome. Your teaching skills should be considered among the best. For me, the only thing better than watching your video would be learning from you in the shop. Tally Ho, good man.

Thanks for sharing your knowledge for free with the rest of us. I recently got interested in guitar electronics and guitar maintenance and this has helped me so much and saved me a lot of time and money. Once more, thank you.

Using two different colored markers was a great tip, thanks!

I bought a Sameck strat at a thrift store for $20...it has a really nice neck, but im going to do aa fret leveling on that for my first time before I try it on my good guitars....this video is really great to learn how to do this...thank you so much.

Excellent instructional video. Well explained and well filmed. Thanks!

excellent and very thorough. I usually skip the first steps of rocking or even spotting the low and high frets. If you mark all of the frets first you will know the low ones as soon as you do the first passes with the 320 when they don't get touched. the only thing I would truly like to point out is that you need to make sure the neck is straight before doing anything. I realize this was touched upon in the video but it is of paramount importance. Once the strings are off a guitar, there is no counter pull and the truss rod has nothing fighting it. You can't just sand the frets unless you know the neck is dead straight. tune the truss rod to make this happen. You can then use a straight edge or your sanding beam as a straight edge to verify.

I'd like to buy this guy a pint or two.

Hey Duncan, Super glad I came across this video. I have a Fender acoustic that I am going to be refretting in the not to distant future. This is great information. Thank you very much! Dave in the Adirondack Mountains

This is the best video I've seen on fret leveling. Great explanation and demonstration! Where were you last year when I needed you? Just kidding! Thanks.

Absolutely brilliant ! Everything about your work here is excellent.... Thank you...

I've only done a few neck, so far, before finding your video, and I really like the idea of two different color markers for , high and low marks. Thanks a lot , man.

Brilliant video, I learnt a lot. Thanks. Now to part 2

Excellent video. Great pace and detail. Thanks man!

Very educative video material.Cartoon animations are also well done and very illustrative. Maybe you could add here and there some additional infos about used sanding (grit) paper, tools, with arrows and other shapes. It would help a lot more, but this material is also great. It would takes a few minute more of clips but result would be greater. But.. Thank you.

Awesome video.. simple, but so much information, plz keep this style, it works so much better than "show off" videos that lose you in 2 mins of waffle...

Thanks for this brilliant video. Easily the best video on fret leveling I've ever seen, and the first one I've seen to adress fall away. I didn't even know that was a thing before watching this video, but it makes perfect sense for a low action neck. I'll definitely be doing that when dressing the frets on my guitars from now on.

Great videos , Duncan! About DIY tools, controling the straight state of the necks, I use a graduated steel rule to transform it as a notched straight edge (this kind of tool -the steel rule- is controled by laser at the end of manufacturing), and with a rounded file , I dig the slots, matching with Fender or Gibson or other marks , frets spaces. To own fret rocker, that's the same kind of tool: graduated steel rule, that I cut 3 lengths to match with large, average and small spaces of frets. The levelling beam is simply a bubble level! However I own Gurian crowning files, not very expensive and efficient.

Fantastic video! Those frets looked outstanding when you finished them. Thanks for posting this "how to" video...don't let anyone discourage you, you are really good. It must take a lot of practice. I have 5 old, cheap guitars that I can practice on. I like your method, it is very step by step and diligent.

Best instructions I have seen on you tube. Thanks

I think your diagrams are fantastic, and you illustrate the essence of the many issues. I only saw your video as it followed watching one I did of a 75 Les Paul, I thought i was careful,.... but your method and mechanics are EXCELLENT, The person that did the refret on your example was a HACK, so nice job on the VID, and obviously you would be someone I would trust with a VINTAGE instrument.... Well done

just bought a guitar that a kid made himself- he said these two frets are low- here i am and lovin it.

Thank you for sharing your process, Duncan! Taking the time to explain every step was very helpful!

The quality of your video is unquestionably the best I've seen anywhere on the Internet. I'm sure it took a tremendous amount of time to shoot, much less edit it. I congratulate you on your results- the video, the illustrations and your explanation of the process are superb. I know how expensive specialty tools are (I've dabbled in this work and in gunsmithing), so I don't blame someone for making their own. Your decission to improvise and use a modified 3-sided file (instead of a diamond inpregnated, concave "fret" file is commendable and appreciated. But (there is always a "but", eh? I don't care how hard you try to convince the unknowing, and I don't care whether you are using a single-cut or a "double-cut" file. With the exception of that diamond empregnated tool, a file will only cut in ONE direction. Dragging a file, backwards, across your work only serves to flatten the cutting surfaces (rendering them less- or un- able to cut) and destroying the life of the file. A file that is labeled "double cut" simply means that the cutting surfaces are cut at two angles, forming a diamond shaped pattern of cutting surfaces. Those cutting surfaces both face the same direction. nancylthamilton.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/single-double-cut.jpg

Best video on fret leveling I've seen! All you need to know!

thanks for sharing this ....I am truly fascinated at the intricacy displayed when it comes to guitar repair...mucho respecto !

Brilliant & very easy to follow

Great illustration with the guitar in the snow and at the beach :D

Thank you so much for your 2 videos about fret leveling, i'm looking for a guitar i really want (a cheap guitar) and do my dream: set it up to a next level, with new humbuckers and electronic, and some people said that doing fret leveling on this model can be usefull, thanks a lot for your job dude! :)

Great instruction video! Really serious and no market placement on tools! Love it!

Excellent I like the 2 pens. Also good tip with the tape for fall away

Great tip... using the razor/blade as a rocker. Thanks.

Detail, brilliantly expressed, your illustrations are terrific and perfectly exaggerated to get the message. I also like your sanding beam, more substantial and bullet proof than, the smaller tools I use, However the dead flat is not always the case. Like your videos, nice man.... Little as possible is home...

Very good job Duncan very educative thanks from Chile !!!!!!!!!

Excellent description and tutorial on fret leveling.

Ridiculously good instructional video, Congratulations and thank you !

the best fret dressing video I've seen yet. .thanks

REALLY useful and very clear. I have a newly bought Epiphone Blueshawk which is basically a darn good guitar but there are a few issues with proud frets and having watched your video, I've just ordered a notched straight edge so that I can check the neck itself. Great tutorial - thanks.

Very good video! Best one I have seen by far. I don't like videos that drag on and I think this one, even though not short, never felt long; you explain each part in the appropriate level of detail. The methods you use make sense to me and I am exited to try this for the first time. Great job!

Hi Duncan, Thank you for such a clear and common sense explanation of this issue, i have learned a whole lot. I have subbed as most videos are a bit all over the place on the process of fret levelling.

One of my favorite videos ever! Love everything about it!

Great video over all, however I always start with making sure the frets are completely seated into the finger board, before I do any other work to the frets. It could save alot of time and effort. I recommend this since more than one of those frets were not seated properly. Its possible If they were you wouldn't have needed to sand the frets. Could be in your next video Brother.

Thank you brother for taking time out of your life to leave such a great instructional video. Of all the videos dealing with fret dressing I have seen so far on You Tube, yours is far and away the best. Just a few reasons why I say that... You have a gift for teaching, evidenced by your even, humble and knowledgable tone. The video is very professional in that it gives great pictures for illustration, and the close ups of you doing the work are sharp so we are all able to follow what you are doing. Your high standard of work ethics is clearly conveyed. You really have inspired me to learn this art to high degree. Question, my father was from Scotland, are you also from Scotland? God bless, and will wait to see if you put out more videos, you truly have my respect. Jack.

Best fret leveling video ever !!! Thank you for sharing this :)

I can never get it perfect! I'm obsessed with a perfect fret level.

This is such a fantastic video - thanks so much for sharing your knowledge. I am beginning my first guitar build with some trepidation but your videos have given me real confidence in tackling the neck! Thanks so much again - Matt

This is a great video. Thank you for taking the time to do this. God bless!

I watched a RU-vid video of a guy doing a refret job. He used a soldering him to heat up the frets BUT he added solder to the fret so there would be more heat into the fret itself! It was amazing...one of those things where you say "I can't believe I never thought of that!?!?" Just letting you know that technique just in case you weren't aware:)

Duncan, here’s my idea for you (I’m about to try it). If you drill 2 holes at the ends of the beam, exact centres and then add a set screw and a locking bolt on the inside (you’ll need to tap the holes), you can make your beam into a precise radius tool with depth control. Put in the set screw and adjust to the desired fret height. Do this for both sides and then lock with internal lock nut. Now put tape on the frets and run the beam along a fret wire inside edge( ie up and down if you were holding the guitar in playing position). This will allow you to exactly follow the contour of the fretboard and guarantee all frets are following this curve. The centre of the beam should be the only point sanding. The depth gauge (set screw) keeps the beam at exactly the right height. Basically you could look for the lowest fret height and set your set screws to that depth. The only caveat is that you are following the radius of the fretboard and it that is not correct your frets will follow that!! Best to use a radius gauge first. It may be useful to use a plastic tape vs paper as it is smoother and won’t deform as much. Kapton tape for example.

Thank you for this video. I felt a lot more comfortable doing it to my #1 guitar

Best instructional video on DIY fret leveling I've found on you tube! Thanks so much :)

Very instructional! Looks like yr inside a crypt, but the vid was great!

Excellent video! Very patient work there! 👍

Hi Duncan. Thanks for your awesome videos. Hands down the best fret dressing videos on RU-vid. Looking forward to any more guitar repair/maintenance videos you do. Cheers from Australia!