My old ’72 Strat has recently been giving me some trouble as far as buzzing and high action go. The fact of the matter is that she really needs re-fretting. I have done this before myself on a number of guitars but in this instance am happy to leave it to the pros. I will be bringing her to SA to get that done soon
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In the meantime I thought that I would have one last go at dressing the frets. I have done it before to this particular guitar and thought that I would introduce you to ‘The Bush Mechanic’s Fret Dressing Method’. This I learned as a matter of necessity and by trial and error, before we had internet to assist and when I lived in a place that had no luthiers. You may choose to do this yourself if you are not too flush. Perhaps those more knowledgeable and experienced members would like to comment where needs be. Always practice on someone else’s guitar before stuffing up your own ?
Firstly, remove the strings and most importantly slacken off the truss rod. Then get a roll of masking tape and carefully tape up the fret board, leaving the frets exposed. You may feel happier putting two layers on. You may take the guitar off the neck in the case of a bolt on, or leave it on. Also tape up the pick ups to protect them.
Next, get a new whetstone from your local hardware store (I imagine that you can find them in SA??). These are usually of Chinese manufacture and relatively cheap. They generally have two different grit sizes, one on each side. Use the finest. BTW – store this stone in a very safe place. You won’t believe how many people will want to use it for sharpening knives, hedge shears or grass slashers. Oil the stone – I have used all kinds of oil before. The stone will suck up a lot of oil and the thinner the oil the more quickly it will penetrate.
Very carefully, gently, evenly and with a smooth action, draw the stone up and down the neck. There’s no rush, keep checking the frets to see where there has been the least contact. Wipe them off to get a good look. You may find that there are high or low spots on the neck and what you are doing is going to even them out very nicely. Do the bare minimum that is required. BEWARE – do not hit the nut with the stone, it WILL break (ask me!). Watch that you don’t hit the pick ups either. This is probably the part that requires the most concentration. Try to do it in a quiet environment with no distractions.
Now comes the pain in the butt, or rather finger and thumb part. You will need some water paper 400-600 is what I usually start with, and then some 800-1200 to finish. Tear off a little piece, fold it up and using the pad of your thumb, polish the fret. Starting at the bottom frets (22nd etc) is nicer because as you move up the fretboard towards the headstock, you cover more distance per fret and the end is in sight earlier! The masking tape will take a bit of a beating, not the fretboard.
To finish off, I usually use a hankie with some Brasso to polish the frets.
To test your work use your finger nail to ‘scratch’ the fret. If there are any rough spots you will find them.
Restring your guitar and then tweak the truss rod and saddles to suit. I have done this to many guitars and have had positive results every time.
Comments are welcome
I understand that there are crowning tools etc to get the right profile on the fret but this is the Bush Mechanic’s Method and the results are quite acceptable for most of us.
