Beginners Guide on how to install Frets and do all the Fretwork on a (new) Guitar Neck.

[@markadamson5798]

Daniel: In the past I've built over 300 models ranging from Tanks to ships, from airplanes to submarines. Now I know what you're thinking, "What does this have to do with installing frets?" Well, one of the tips I learned was how to apply super glue in micro amounts. If you Take a piece of wire, I use a trash bag twisty tie with the plastic scrapped off, twist this wire around the needle of a safety pin all the way to give you a nice little handle. When you slide the wire off the safety pin, you should have a tiny little eyelet that will hold a tiny amount of superglue. and if you clip the eyelet open, superglue will flow out much easier. Clean any buildup on your eyelet with a candle. This little tool will allow you to apply a tiny amount of superglue wherever you need with very little clean up. P.S. Love your content! Very informative and inspiring. Thank you 😁

[@cameronc.362]

I'm having a hard time picturing this concept. Is there any chance you can upload a video showcasing your little contraption? Sounds useful.

[@wjewell63]

Ditto man...👍

[@Oshia666]

I recently refretted a beat up Mex Strat I bought for peanuts as the frets were completely worn, I applied a tiny bit of superglue to the fret and ran it right a long the fret wire with a toothpick, you only need a very very small amount or it pushes up on to the fretboard (which I found out the hard way). I didn't really want to use superglue but the fret wire wasn't quite sitting flush without it. I took a lot of care when pulling the old frets, heated them up with a soldering iron first. I also had to bend the edges of the frets ever so slightly with a pair of pliers before fitting. Now I have rewired many guitars, and fiddles with kits but fret work is an art in itself. Thanks for this little tip @markadamson5798, it would have come in handy when I was filling the tiny cracks and chips when I pulled the old frets off. I ended up making more work for myself when applying the superglue. Now I can say one thing, if I have to ever refret another guitar, I will be buying a press.

[@lukespread]

This is the most comprehensive video on fret work I have seen on KZbin. I have seen so called "Luthiers" make a complete hash of the fret job from sheer laziness, lack of technique or reluctance to show the whole process. Thank you for this.

[@BYoung0123]

Absolutely outstanding tutorial! I don’t usually leave comments but sir you deserve to be recognized. I’m definitely inspired by your attention to detail and plan to incorporate some of your techniques in my fret work.

[@budswayzeniger3473]

i agree hes a legend

[@edadpops1709]

Oh those bullet fret ends are classy👍

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Edad, Thank you!

[@toddsprentall3668]

First time guitar builder...I would be lost without your videos Daniel!

[@Case_]

Man, those "bullet-like" frets shown in detail at the very end are a thing of beauty.

[@leerivenbark]

Super grateful for this expert guidance and well thought out tutorial. Feeling confident enough to give it a go

[@themayor6836]

This guy can re-fret my guitars anytime.... He is very good at what he does..Great job

[@ebglock]

I really like a craftsman that makes his own gigs. Good job.

[@digitalninjatools5670]

the most helpful video I've found on the subject - thank you so much for this excellent tutorial!

[@staylofordo7111]

I have a J200 copy from Alvarez. It was such a beautiful sounding guitar. The frets were soft and the strings made flat spots on the first four or five, and the bridge came loose. I have the bridge ready to glue, I’m looking for a way to do the frets myself. I’m meticulous on the fine work. Cannot tolerate crap work. If I have to make every tool, I want my guitar back! Thank you for this outstanding video and instructions. You’re a great friend!

[@SCDavid-e6u]

Awesome video, I have never seen someone going into so much detail on the process and sharing that many useful information.

[@daviddaniels7124]

Best video on the KZbin

[@DeadRingerMachine]

Man, your guitars must cost a fortune with the amount of time you put into the detail of construction. And they'd be worth every penny. The ends of your frets look like ball ends, only better. Amazing job, I'm about to do a re-fret on one of my guitars and I can only hope to make it half as good as this. Spectacular video.

[@sc0or]

This is what most of manufacturers of mass market guitars don’t do: to lower frets 17-22(24). Thank you for the lesson. It’s very useful for any person who likes guitars )

[@jameswallach8429]

What an invaluable and in depth lesson on fretwork! Thank you so much for sharing - when I finish my first guitar which im half way through I'm going to buy one of your mugs from your shop because Ill owe you big time!

[@BobSperber]

Over 53 years of part-time playing and loving it (but having to work non-musical jobs), I have accumulated a number of guitars including some from friends who have passed on. It’s been a labor of love to do my own setups and maintenance, and now I find my attentions moving to fretwork. This video, among other resources I am reading and watching, is invaluable. Thank you beyond words.

[@30pitchcleaver]

Bro, you ARE the fret-board Doctor.

[@loboram4801]

Just finished the fret work on my second build... I referred to your video several times and it got me through to what I believe is a very good fret job... I think what you instilled in your video (and now in me) is taking your time, having a commitment to detail, enjoying the process and a job well done! You Sir are a great teacher and Luthier!

[@firstsgtrichard]

Thank You sir! I started building guitars about three years ago...I watch lots of videos...most I give little notice, but yours I watch 100%. Great job my friend!

[@MaartenFranken]

Thats a hell of a dutch accent! 😂 Great video, dude! Keep up the good work 👍

[@SavDog262]

Dude, that’s a killer neck. The different woods laminated, shape of headstock, etc. very cool.

[@phillosopherguitarist2673]

I am preparing myself for my first refret job. So I go through a lot of refret videos. It's interesting how so many videos show little details differently. Thank you very much for producing such high quality content!

[@divebomb99]

How did it go? I am gearing up now, buying a few more tools and supplies. Fingers crossed.

[@jairguitarrologia]

how did it go?

[@phillosopherguitarist2673]

@@jairguitarrologia not done yet^^

[@t-34dima30]

​@@phillosopherguitarist2673are you done yet?

[@TheDiaboliq666]

I seldom subscribe after watching one video, but this was very good and detailed. It's also obvious you enjoy paying attention to details.

[@andye300]

Just about to try my 1st fret job. This video is so good and very helpful indeed!!! Thank you very much!! Andy.

[@Eyeofdajjal]

I just got donated a disheveled 1991 Hamer Centaura with super dented frets. I bought frets and a crowning file 10+ years ago, and thanks to your video (I’ve seen many…) I believe I’ll be able to confidently get this done. Just a few more tools… thank you! Maybe I can improvise the saw somehow? I previously restored frets on another guitar, with an electric sander, but these days I’d rather do it manually. Still got a massive piece of brass in the basement, I hope that’ll do the job for a levelling block 😅

[@berthofsink1457]

While looking for instruction vids on fretting a guitar, I stumbled into this one, and after 10 s I realized I finally found a fellow countryman making these kind of video's... :-) Visited your website - beautiful stuff! Keep up the good work, and thanks for the video's, really helpful!

[@bradshannon862]

Thank you for this video! I am fairly new to building and I was having some trouble pressing frets in. I was not filing the fret slot before hand. This is a big help!

[@JeremiahAugustine]

That was amazing got to learn new tricks from you thank you 🙏 for making this video🤘🤘🤘 Aloha from Hawaii TigerLuv Guitars 🎸

[@BogdanRadwanskiMusic]

Thanks a million.That was the most thorough tutorial I had seen !!!

[@ozoneswiftak]

Thank you. I literally did my fender while watching your video. I would send a video, but you tube is not that advanced I could send a victory video!!

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Chad, You're welcome. Nice to learn my content is helping you with your project.

[@FransSchoonens]

Fantastic tutorial. Step by step, clear understandable information. It shows exactly how to do the work, without cutting of the edges. This video shows it all. Most of all, it show to strive for perfection, and how to do that exactly! Thanks!

[@jdwild1698]

Hey man great job of going over your fret install process start to finish .This is the most crucial and critical step of guitar building no doubt. I’ve done all my own guitar neck refrets for years now ,starting by trail and error on cheaper guitar models with cheap junk frets and replacing them with the EVO gold frets which I like better than nickel or stainless. Not the easiest to work with but still probably 3-5x times the life of nickel and much easier to deal with than working with the stainless frets . Once one has the skills and process down for fret jobs and cutting nuts properly on guitars , the ability to create or transform any guitar to its true playing capabilities is possible. I’ve transformed some very inexpensive guitars into some of the best playing and sounding guitars I’ve ever played or owned . Of coarse I’m talking completely replacing all the guitar components but the body and neck , if they are decent , adequate or better and sinking probably no more than 250.00 to 400.00 or so at a minimum up to whatever you want to spend . One of my favorite guitars is a 100.00 Monoprice Tele from Amazon I bought and spent around 350.00 on for all the stuff to transform that thing into a player worthy of outstanding playability and sound that most think they need to spend a lot of money for . It’s always interesting to see how many people approach the fret job process so differently and I learned great stuff from watching your vid , so thanks for your time and service to all who can appreciate the skill of such an undertaking, because it’s not an easy task to build or rebuild guitars either from scratch or as a parts assembly into a guitar that plays at the top level of building and quality. Thanks brother and may you continue your success in building great guitars 😎👍

[@jesseweaver8907]

Wow! Hands down, Best ive ever seen! Your just like me, meticulous and organized! Great video man! Thanks!

[@adamcone6856]

I just cut my first frets for a practice neck…an old Ibanez RG470. I also drilled the dots out and put in brass tube filled with turquoise powder. Gold frets. Going to look so good!

[@PriZeMaN1]

Marvellously meticulous insight to your skills!

[@JokerChannel23]

I'm just in the middle of building my first guitar and over the time I've been trying to put it together I've come across your tutorials just too many times. Now I was watching this, telling myself "I'm not watching an hour of how to install frets." And after an hour I'm really glad I did.

[@lennyluzitano8920]

YOU ARE THE MA😂😂STER..... AMAZING SKILLS YOU HAVE...... THANK YOU FOR SHARING....

[@bones_fpv693]

thank you very much for making this video my friend! that shop looks like a very nice place to spend time.

[@CarlosLindsayBR]

Hey man, this is a great video, spectacular, with lots of details and secrets, thank you very much!!!

[@kibscott6096]

This has to be the most indepth and outstanding fret work finishing video I have ever seen, thank you for this tutorial. Excellent work. I feel the need to cleanup the frets on a guitar i just purchased because the frets look NOTHING like yours wow.

[@alexandergriggs9934]

Thank you very much. This was so very straightforward and helpful.

[@darylambrous1050]

Very informative and absolutely perfectly explained. Thank you very much

[@TheDarkmore]

Hey, you got a nice pond out there with fishes! Also very informative and throughout video, thank you!

[@jimdunsmoor3614]

Extremely well-done. Your expertise and skill to produce a quality neck is much more thorough than I ever imagined. Extremely well-done. Love the step-by-step approach. Jim Dunsmoor.

[@joem6859]

Nice video, very thorough. Like some of your very detailed tips, like cutting the fretwire with the tang.

[@GoodmanRecordingsTokyo]

Thank you so much for making this video. Tremendous help!

[@JimsevenFrankenstein]

Thanks for the very informative video, much appreciated 👍 I really like the stainless steel fret position markers you do. Very cool look!

[@stardustypsyche8468]

Awesome vid, so much detail on tool use, the way you explain it I can imagine and understand the feel and visual checks you use with your tools. Now I have excuses (errr, reasons) to buy more tools :-)😀🤩😇

[@pauleliades3823]

Best fret tutorial.

[@officerwillis2573]

I was kinda hoping to see the process of measuring and marking where each fret slot goes precisely and I was wondering if the bottom of the slot needs to have the same radius as the fingerboard and the frets. I've only done re frets so I'm lacking experience in that area.

[@tonylawrence9885]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. I'm trying my hand at refretting for the first time. It's an Ovation Applause that I bought in 1986. I've removed the frets without any tears (or tears for that matter). Your thorough and very detailed tutorial has given me the confidence to see it through to completion. (Refretting without regretting, hopefully) Thank you.

[@glanderguitars6475]

Most excellent presentation. Detailed. Thoughtful. Greatly appreciated!!

[@scottgourlay1473]

Thank you, Sir... impeccable work!!! I'm just starting out, and I have watched many videos on youtube, and other places... All have been good, but I've been intrigued to use a majority of your methods... Again, thank you so much, and I will be back as often as I can, hoping to learn more...

[@jasonwright1753]

Amazing video, great tuition on a job that id normally of paid for but will certainly try myself now

[@amandasnadel]

thx for this detailed video. almost a workshop. awesome!

[@radovandragun7673]

Man, those videos are super great. I am building my very first guitar and following your steps makes it much easier to understand what needs to be done and how...thank you Daniel...

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Radovan, Thank you very much for the compliment. Good to hear my videos are helping you with your guitar build. Good luck with making your first guitar.

[@kurikaelkitarrid3240]

Thank You for very good video. I Have made a few guitars myself and fretting job is always the scary part of it. Thanks to this video I realised what I was doing wrong and how made my life harder.

[@williesturner9398]

I wish I had watched your video earlier. I purchased an electric guitar (Donner), and the frets were very sharp and left my finger scratched and scored when sliding down the fret board. Instead of sending the guitar back: I tried to smooth the frets using a file and scratched the neck and fret wires with gouges. Now I have to replace all fret wires and try to smooth the edges of the fret board. After watching your video I am sure that I can correct my mistakes. Thanks for taking the time in sharing this video, God bless!

[@NormTilley]

Fantastic video, thank you.

[@junulock]

Very nice detailing work done with care. Those that decide to get one of your guitars are very lucky.

[@tangomoocow]

Brilliant tutorial as always. Just did my frets, very carefully with the sanding beam no pressure applied, checked with the fret rocker and literally no level frets🙃. I'm not ruling out the fret rocker being duff, got a decent one on order.

[@JEL5150]

I’ve watched this several times as a guide and it has massively helped me. Thank you so much for making this!

[@jayrichard2890]

Thanks! I was struggling with pressing in frets. I'm adopting the steps in your progress. I struggle with the Martin small thin frets.

[@mrwaffles1394]

Congrats on hitting 3k! Love the in-depth fretting info. I learn something new every time I watch one of your videos.

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hey Mr. Waffles, As always thank you very much!

[@danieljohnston4359]

Great video! Really helpful! People like you sharing your hard earned knowledge in an easy to follow way are true heroes!

[@chrishershey5033]

Working on my 3rd build, but my first neck. Thank you for your patience and thoroughness when explaining each step.

[@wiggsan]

What an awesome and detailed video!! Thanks so much for taking the time to do this!!!

[@waynehughes8297]

You have given me the confidence to do my 89 Squire Strat that is too worn to play anymore. I’ve been thinking of doing it for a few weeks but now I’m off to see if I can pick up some cheap’ish tools on eBay. Thank you for this easy to follow tutorial.

[@TheAudiesmith123]

Excellent tutorial! THANKS. My favorite tip was the addition of the tape at the 12th fret(~42:50) to serve as a guide for sanding the fret drop off. Will use that one today on a custom Tele style i built.

[@TheJstewart2010]

Wow. That was an outstanding tutorial. I really appreciate your working through every step and showing how it can be done without access to many hundreds of dollars worth of specialized tools. I'm ready to get started on my guitars!

[@smallblock3505]

Absolutely incredible, informative video; all the details and no filler. Bravo!

[@jeanlawson9133]

I could perceive that by using the press the fret entering the fret cavity would be less abrupt. And less likely to splinter the fret board....😎 Thanks very nice video.....

[@kennethsmith1744]

Very professional job

[@YoggiMusic]

Very good work and very good video! Thank you!

[@hungrswom]

Thank you for your video, for me is very useful, Thanks again!

[@optonaut]

you´re fretbender is cool! good idea! going to rebuild it for my use

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Optonaut, Thank you. Good luck building it!

[@gurupmuhtesem9824]

Hi Daniel, thank you so much for answering all our questions. Honestly you are very informative and give us so much confidence . you are the best, take care

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Gurup, Thank you very much for your kind words. And you're welcome. I really like answering the questions if I can.

[@andrewhubbard4222]

Really great. Very clear and informative. Thanks a lot!

[@binkywarren21]

Great video. I have some frets to replace on one of my guitars. It's a bound fretboard though. Subscribed!

[@pluke63]

Very good video, very well explained job, thank you!

[@JonathanWhoever]

Great work! Great video skills!

[@juliansuarez3849]

Very instructive video Dany!!! Cool

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Julian, Thank you very much for the compliment!

[@ELRideout]

Millions of thanks

[@cameronjack1095]

Brilliant video. Subscribed!

[@alizarincrimson123]

Awesome video. Thanks for sharing.

[@stevelaferney3579]

Amazing necks! However I would strongly suggest using a syringe to inject the super glue into the fret sides rather than dripping it in. Love the idea of putting some wood dust over the fret slot when finished though. Looks so finished and fine. Thanks for the advice and help. Great video. Cheers.

[@paulsutherland6302]

Great video as ever. Love the tip for creating the fall off and masking off half the levelling beam. I'd never thought of that (and wonder why I keep sanding the masking tape away at the 12th fret!). I'll be using this tip on my next neck build, thank you.

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Paul, Thank you very much! Nice to hear you I could provide you with a useful tip.

[@thecattt]

Such a detailed and useful tutorial Daniel, thank you!

[@rmartucci1946]

veramente chiaro ed accurato, vorrei avere una chitarra così

[@stuarthartley7428]

Lovely job.

[@reprisalwithin666]

Thanks for the video, Daniel. Your videos help so much as I'm planning to build guitars in the near future. I love wood working. I can use all the information I can get while I am acquiring the tools.

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Reprisal Within, You're welcome. It's good to know you're getting some useful information from my videos. Good luck and have fun building your guitars.

[@judgeofthedamned8831]

Outstanding guide. thanks :)

[@0MyWay01]

Beautiful work! I used aluminum dots on my first guitar build (40 years ago)because that’s what I had on hand. That guitar was stolen. It resurfaced 20 years later. The aluminum dots were dull grey. I’m replacing them with abalone 👍

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi 0MyWay01, Thank you very much. Nice to hear you've also used aluminium dots on your guitars and that the guitar was found after 20 years. That must have been something else when you think you've lost it and it getting back to you after all that time. The oxidation on the aluminum will dull them a bit, depending on the alloy used I've noticed, but a quick polish and they're shiny again. Good luck replacing yours.

[@0MyWay01]

@@UnquendorGuitars anodizing would be an option. Temporarily set the inlay in the fret board and file to 12” radius remove then anodize ? Ok I’m talking 💩 now! Too much work. Have a good one brother.

[@christiantorres6118]

Thank you for this video!!!

[@charleskirton3552]

Awesome video as always, so helpful and great presenting

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Charles, Thank you very much! Nice to hear you are getting some useful information from my videos.

[@kennethmeeker6369]

Total perfection for sure , I appreciate the details on using tools like letting the weight of the tool do the work I’m still putting my list together to order from crimson but some tools I think I can bypass if I’m willing to take the time definitely got to get me a magnifier on fret ends I don’t how your focusing that small .your definitely an artisan 👍

[@bertrodriguez3087]

Wow Daniel. Most comprehensive video on fretwork I've ever seen, besides your older ones. Your channel is going to grow my friend. I'm a little curious to see what the aluminum Tulip would look like buffed out to that degree on the 12 fret lol.

[@UnquendorGuitars]

Hi Bert, Thank you very much for your kind words. I tried to polish aluminum but it didn't work too well and it dulls real fast due to the oxidation layer forming. I might have to use silver if I wanted a very high gloss inlay, but that will also oxidize over time.

[@felixwagner3801]

Insanely good

[@petriihalainen1091]

It's a kind of fun to notice that professionals pretty much do very similar things on frets, that I had to figure out for myself a few decades ago, way before internet... One thing here hurts my eye a bit though: I don't know how everybody else feels but I wouldn't go anywhere near frets with 120-grit papers. As I recall, I used the finest cutting file I could find on my first fret job ever and some after that. Lately I have used 600 or higher grit sanding paper. Finished with 2500 and then "polished" with steel wool. It s not quite like a machine polish but the idea is to "micro hammer" already tiny grind marks flat, so it's friendlier to strings. But who am I to say? Probably half a dozen to ten fret jobs (re-frets or just leveling) in 40ish years so not that many really. :)