I bought my very first file about 2 weeks before this video was made and I chose the CENTERED Z-FILE. I am proud to say for a beginner this is the one you want!!! Thank you to the nice lady at Stew Mac for recommending it to me. 😁👍👍
I use a triangle with a safe edge. I'm actually an Engineer, I started of as a machinist / fitter and went through an old school apprenticeship and really learned how to use tools. For me, using a triangle file gives me lots of control. Those skills I learned 30 years ago are invaluable and I would suggest are well worth learning. Sadly my day job now involves sitting in front of a computer doing math, FEA and typing reports all day long. I wish I had become a luthier. I think I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more than being an engineer. Most guys in the workshop can't use hand tools any more, it's a shame.
lexzbuddy yes. I’m also an engineer, although not mechanical.. I’m electrical. Still a common misconception is that engineers build things. We don’t. We design things to be built. There is an element of working with your hands during prototyping and testing but it’s minimal.
More videos like this please! This video cleared all my confusion on different files and most importantly, their uses making it much easier to have confidence make the right tool purchase decission. Thank you!
The cost of the Z-Files doesn't scare me. What scares me is the diamond abrasives. I had the StewMac Dual-grit Diamond Fret File and it wore out pretty fast while crowning stainless steel frets. Before investing in a Z-File, I would have to be convinced the abrasives will last. Until then, I'll stick with my trusty 3 corner file, chatter and all.
JellyBean120830 I’m being totally honest here. The 3-corner file IS easy -very easy because you will have a clear line of sight to what you’re doing. Blue your leveled fret, then file it from both sides until all you have is a thin blue line in the center. They’re slow, but accurate. All of the other files make you work blind, and except for the “Z” none will leave a center hairline. If you pick the wrong size you’ll wreck your leveling efforts bc the file will be hacking away at the top of the fret within a couple strokes. You wind up with a LOW fret every time and the only fix for that is to re-level the entire board (start over) or worse yet - have to replace the low fret. That’s no job for a noob either. Finally - think about the cost. The price of a single Z file is $80-100. For $100 you can buy half a dozen industrial Nicholson 3-corner files in various sizes AND a 6” bench grinder to create the safe edge. It takes literally 15 seconds to knock the teeth off the corner of the files so they don’t scratch the fingerboard. OR. You can buy a pre-safe edged triangle file from Stewmac for $30. Finally, none of the fancy files will dress the fret ends. For that you have to use a small conventional file with the edge ground off anyway. So why not learn to dress and use a 3 corner file in the first place?
@@HBSuccess Agree! I'm an amateur guitarbuilder and only used the 3-corner file. The first time it took me a bit of time to get into the groove, but once I got it doing the frets was a breeze. Those files are cheap, easy to control, and work on all fret sizes. Crimson Guitars has those files as well, and aren't too expensive.
Definitely...whenever I use a diamond file, I feel guilty...like I’m contributing to its destruction rather than working with it. The only one I’ll work with is neck check guitars’ crowning file. It’s good and it’s cheap so hey. Until these become more durable, it’s the three corner and the cheapies. If I’m spending $50+ on a file, that’s an expensive tool. I want it to last forever
I am starting to do work on my guitars so this videos was great. I am a beginner with the filing. So seeing this videos gave me the confidences I needed and the knowledge I need to start with the right tools. Thank you
I absolutely love the Z file, particularly the Safe Edge version. I found the original Z file to have the same downside as the FretGuru Dagger (which is definitely pretty great) in that it only works well on medium jumbo frets or larger, up to a point. For vintage frets, it leaves them too round and cuts too much material. For tall or super jumbo frets, you also risk taking off too much. But the safe edge allows you to do one side at a time, which definitely is slower but results are always perfect. Great design. Probably best to have one of each of these.
I started with the diamond file, but found it not efficient for wide fret that has been leveled a bit low. so I went to three corner file and quite happy with it. it give me freedom to shape any kind of fret size with just one file. then I use the diamond file to finalize the crowning shape and remove most of the chatter to make the polishing easier.
Good vid. I went through lots of styles of file before settling on the triangle. I actually find it faster to use and more precise than the alternatives.
Having tried 4 different types I eventually settled with a 3 corner file. This gives me the best control and accuracy and with a bit of practice, I am able to finish pretty quickly. I would not go back to the diamond files, they are not for me, gets clogged easily and difficult to clean
Why do you think they make these videos? Selling stuff is the one and only reason they’re on RU-vid. They provide good info in the process but at the end of the day they want you to purchase StewMac tools and supplies.
@Tioga Fretworks @Rick Baker Yes, they have products to sell. So you get a softball sales pitch with the kind of info we used to have to learn from our local repair guy (assuming he had the patience for loiterers), a repair book (free only if your library happened to have a copy) or perhaps via apprenticeship (which was really what tools like these were for - someone trying to make a living - before every guitar player in the RU-vid comments section decided to be a shade tree mechanic). I don’t feel any obligation to buy this stuff - they’re not exactly selling timeshares - but I do shop at Stew Mac and have for over 20 years, just as a hobbyist. And I think it’s great that these videos are essentially FREE for us all.
@@rickbaker4571 Pay attention: He wasn't trying to sell 78 different files to the common guitar player. He was trying to help select the one or two that we might wish to buy. That is a perfectly honest, legitimate, and honorable way to sell things. The reason so many files exist is that none is perfect and so designers keep trying new designs. The designers are not just trying to take your money, they are trying to solve a problem that they perceive - even if you don't. If their design succeeds, they will sell enough of them to make some money. If not, they will disappear from the market - and probably be replaced with a new attempt to improve on the old tool. Erick was quite honest that it is difficult or impossible to try each of these files and that's why he made this video. I, for one, appreciate it.
@@rickbaker4571, well how rude of them. Can you imagine? A business out to make money? Who woulda thought?!?! Stewmac is a good company and helpful beyond any reasonable expectation pre and post purchase. As with everything if you don't like the price then don't buy the product.
@@kennethdon3619 We'll I was thinkin it would be like the offset he showed that unplugs from the handle for the other side. I wouldn't find that a problem cuz I often work one side up the neck then flip it around for the other side. This way the offset is easier if neck is attached to the body.
@@kennethdon3619 Maybe a dumb question.... but WHY two files needed to work both sides? Just working from the other side of neck seems like it should work as the curve of the fret is same on both sides.
3-corner file is the best tool for luthiers who do their job often. It takes time to learn how to use it properly. But once you get it, you'll be able to make perfect round tops on any type of frets, very thin or thick (concave files make a bit flattened tops on thin frets, etc). So 3-corner file is the hardest to use for beginners, but the most accurate tool.
I've just got to say, God bless this company and the information that they share, whether it's Dan or Eric. You guys have made our work so much clearer. We can't thank you enough.
StewMac is great! Back when I built my first guitar (1975-ish...) there wasn't a manual. I had to make it upas I went along. Still got that first guitar - and you know what? It's actually not too bad ! Thank-you so much for all the detail and hints in this video 🙂
Very good video. I had an intonation issue with my ESP AX-50 LTD after 12th fret on G string. I had to use a #400 and #1000 sandpaper to crown some frets. In India these things are hard to get unfortunately.
The cost didn't scare me it sent me to the ER!!! after thinking about it though I figured I either have to buy a new guitar or fix the one I have so I sprung for some new tools including the original z- file. Will see how it works out.
Good Stuff, I see you run tape along each side of neck before taping on the sides of Frets, Easier for Removal. Don't see others do it, or haven't watched enough Videos. Since the Seventies, polishing frets was first thing I did. What's your though on crowning only on the down side of the fret. So notes are correct for Intonation. And the larger surface area of the fret, reduces fret wear. Maybe I'm just Lazy, cuts crowning time in half. Ordering more Fret files. Take Care
I believe that frets are the most important aspect of guitar set up. You can have a bone nut and the best bridge but your guitar is still a dog. With the explosion of kits and byo and fixing up asian guitars, fret replacement is critical. Also ,,,, do an amp build series!!! I,ve been studying your build manuals!! Great job. I want a couple!!!
totally agree. I have never done this before, I am curious now to start. I would go for a three corner file with rounded edges. Lots of control and you see what you do. Also, I guess one can do a very fine job. Just taking one's time, go slowly.... I guess
So many contradictory vids on this subject. I have a collection of crowning files that I've used but a few times and usually end up on same old one. You just have to "suck it and see." Thank you sir.
I put off buying a Z-File for a really long time cause of the high price. Then I borrowed a friends Original Z-File and I was sold after just a few frets. Now I have my own Z-File. Haha
I have a 2019 Fender American Professional Stratocaster. It has narrow tall frets. Id like to shave the height a little to make playing easier on my fingers. I feel the height is like traversing a mountain each time I cross a fret. Ideally, I prefer the feel of a lower height like medium jumbo frets. Is it possible to do this to get a better feel for me?
I like my 6100 jumbo frets to be as V shaped crowning as possible. Its less friction drag , best intonation, and even looks amazing when a hard V shape in the fret shape. If this video would have showed actual results from a few swipes on a fret , then move on to the next untouched fret ,and hit the fret with a few passes , or in a 3 cornered file example, do the work on a fret. I want to see results from the files . Not many companies put out fret dressings that look like Tom Anderson guitars and when a private luthier does it . Factory line guitars come with a rounded radius crowning, not a severe pointy V shape. Because they all suck , and no big company like Gibson is going to invest that detail into the frets . They put plastic nuts on still , and dont even space the bridge ssddles with notching correctly. Haha, so good luck with better fret dressings
Doesn't matter. Pick the file that works best for you. Stainless is just a pain in the ass because they're harder and take more work. I still build with them, though, because they last longer.
Wow such a good video. I don't need a fret file just yet- but I know which one to get... def the centered z-file! lol. Do they go on sale for like Black Friday??? :)
@@LeviBulger I personally preferred the 3 corner file! The Z file is still a useful tool and I could probably get the whole job done with it, I feel like I burn through less fret with the regular file since I have the control.
i have the center Z file and no matter how much i file i cant get the line super thin also am i suppost to use both sides of the file? they look to be diffent sizes?
Curious how none of the concave files have safe ends opposite the handle -- really easy to accidentally dig into a guitar top. Ends are sheared pretty sharp.
I’m 16 and from 12 I saved money to buy the nicest vintage strat I could. And I’ve course the guitar was in horrible shape and still thousands of dollars. I watch your vids and I thought with all these tool and tips and can make this 5,000 dollar turd better than any out there, but nah stew Mac sells one plier for pulling frets for 70 dollars really milking that cow.
You can always find cheap tools if that's what you want, they just aren't very good. If you've already spent $5,000 on a guitar maybe a few more dollars on a decent tool set would be a good idea?
…and some of those tools that are cheaper, aren’t really the RIGHT tool for a specific task. You may still be able to accomplish a certain task with cheaper, unspecialized tools, but you may run the risk of causing damage. Or the task may be more difficult to accomplish and take longer to do it. There are definitely many, many general purpose tools available that you don’t need to buy from stewmac, but there are some fairly specialized tools that make good sense to have for certain tasks. And there aren’t too many sources for them.
So your recommendation is the $80 StewMac diamond Z-file over the $6 triangle file found in any hardware store in the world. Ok. Thanks for the information, but one question, how long does the diamond like coating last?
I had a friend with about 40,000.00 worth of stewmac tools he purchased to do guitar repair and building, nicest guy ever. Then his wife got kinda funny and he lost it all, i bet he really misses those tools!
You all have so much experience you should be able to build from scratch the best guitar in the world. How about building one from scratch and have a give away.
Ricardo, as with everything, the reason is the Great State of California. Products, food, air, water, toilet bowl handles, rugs, flower pots, everything causes cancer according to the politicians in California.