[How To] Fret Work - Guitars101

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 08:48 PM

After seeing some of the awesome guitars people build around here....I decided I just had to attempt one myself. Not sure how it will turn out but here is what I am up to.

I bought a maple neck and decided the brand new frets were not the size I like....so they had to go!

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 08:52 PM

So after about 2 minutes with my home depot end cutters...they were gone.

Then I had to build a router jig to cut the slot for the locking nut. Since I did not have the right bit with a ball bearing the patented E.J. method was out.

First I had to tape a couple of picks to the thing to make up for neck radius rocking.

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 08:53 PM

Then I cut the slot with my make shift jig.

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 08:54 PM

The finished product.

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 08:56 PM

Next I had to install the new dunlop 6105 frets....which I have never done before. I started by hand bending and then tapping in with a happer and wood block. I would start in the center and work my way to the edges. I would also add a drop of superglue on each edge first.

**VHF** · 08-31-2005, 09:00 PM

After you put a few in, you need to file the ends off at 30 degrees.

Rockgod78 · 09-01-2005, 06:32 AM

Wicked dude!! You've got more balls than I have, I would never try something like that! Kudos to you my friend!

El_jalepeno · 09-01-2005, 11:21 AM

Awesome! Now really impress us and do the Jackson you have been putting off with the binding on the neck!

Seriously, kick ass job and excellent pics!

**VHF** · 09-01-2005, 05:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_jalepeno

Awesome! Now really impress us and do the Jackson you have been putting off with the binding on the neck!

Seriously, kick ass job and excellent pics!

LOL...I am going to do it next! The binding will not be a problem....I'll just have to take the tangs off both ends of the frets just like this one.

It's really much easier than you think....and if you screw up a fret somehow....just rip it out and stick in another one!

ljsayat13 · 10-21-2009, 06:22 AM

The one thing I would do different next time is instead of buying the pre-cut frets, I would just get the long wire stock. I thought the pre-cut ones would be pre-bent, but they were not. Since I didn't have a wire bender, and they were too short anyway, I bent them by hand and eyeballed the curve.

strat78 · 09-19-2005, 06:34 AM

Great post! Your work here looks fantastic! What did you use to press the frets in, did you use glue? People should not be so timid about doing this kind of work on their own guitars. Even without patience (that's me) you can pretty much put together a great working guitar exactly to your own specs for little money.

**VHF** · 09-26-2005, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strat78

Great post! Your work here looks fantastic! What did you use to press the frets in, did you use glue? People should not be so timid about doing this kind of work on their own guitars. Even without patience (that's me) you can pretty much put together a great working guitar exactly to your own specs for little money.

It would be great to have a real press, but I just tapped them in with the wooden part of a hammer...they snap right in.

I did put just a drop of superglue at each end. Some people use a ton of glue while others use none. If they start lifting...I'll get out the glue and clamps and go to work.

**VHF** · 04-27-2006, 07:05 PM

I will add to this when I build my DIY fret bender this weekend!

El_jalepeno · 05-03-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VHF

I will add to this when I build my DIY fret bender this weekend!

Did you get a chance to make the fret bender?

**VHF** · 05-11-2006, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by El_jalepeno

Did you get a chance to make the fret bender?

Nope...but I did get the wood and have all the tools. My weekend motivation has been a bit low lately with my weekly travel schedule and house renavation projects.

I need a kick in the ass!