Destroyed frets on Epiphone Les Paul Custom

If you wondering what's going on here it was like that: "Ok Google - How to level frets DIY" 😑
Also we launch YT sponsorship, and already have educational content about fretworks.
Detailed description of video, tools and agents used will be a bit later on my Patreon.
🌚 Merch, guitars and tools:
shpachuk.com
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[@denro0]

It looked so good when it was finished. It made me want to hear a sound demo.

[@SHADOWBEAR82763]

And today's lesson is: don't use a belt sander to level your frets. Nice work, Tanya!

[@qddk9545]

Why not 🙂 ... 80 grit and of you go. I have a real Gibson LP ´95 looking like that. More woman in guitar building.

[@Fortenurg]

exactly my thoughts @SHADOWBEAR82763

[@joshcarter6297]

i was trying to figure out how frets could come to look like that. I believe you just may be right.

[@adamimberti6948]

​@@joshcarter6297 bending with really crusty old strings.... don't ask me how I know.

[@DMSProduktions]

Angle GRINDER, more like!

[@Last_one_before_I_go]

Too bad you're not local to me, you'd get good business. Nice work !

[@dinamoarg]

Great job. I'd like to know what product do you apply after the super glue? I don't think it's acetone cause it could affect the binding. And you shouldn't pitch with the neck resting like that, it should be in playing position without any external forces pushing on the neck. Cheers 🍻🍻

[@ricksworkbench1386]

Great work. A thing ive been doing lately is applying some Vaseline to the fretboard before applying ca glue. Glue hates the Vaseline and will not stick to it instead wicks into the fret slot. Wipes away completely! No need to chisel the remains cause there's none left!

[@jeanlawson9133]

Cool 😎

[@bobtheyob]

It's kinda impressive someone managed to badly sand the frets like that without damaging the fretboard. They are lucky you fixed their mess.

[@tater9384]

"Destroyed" is a good word for those frets. That didn't happen by play wear. Sometimes you have to wonder what people were thinking. Great video!

[@zapa1pnt]

"Thinking"???? You Must be kidding. 🤣🤣🤣 😁✌🖖

[@Ottophil]

They were thinking “this meth is pretty good”

[@bradrobinson8686]

pretty sure it was from bending the strings. Typical for blues.

[@kimseniorb]

@@bradrobinson8686impossible to wear out only that section of a board

[@JordonBeal]

@@bradrobinson8686Not with a guitar of that age.

[@zapa1pnt]

It looks like it was sanded, with 80 grit sand paper wrapped around a length of pipe. Someone must have been drunk as Hell.

[@nbmike65]

Those frets had to have been sanded. Level across with no string divots in the frets, someone wanted to grind it down to fretless wonder action. Not the easiest job to do. Best to leave it to the pros! Great job Tanya! ✌️

[@valendis]

We kinda saw her face! Extra bonus video! 😂

[@ousley421]

Tanya, have the finished instrument play a brief outro...shows off the finished product.

[@Mr_Gray_Sky]

"My guitar won't stay in tune, I don't know why..." Yeah, man, it's a mystery.

[@petromax33]

I have done a few dozen refrets over time but always used hot hide glue on the frets. Can anyone tell me What kind of glue is she using? Great work!

[@jimcamp2423]

Super glue, Cyanoacryllic clear. There are 2 types. The stuff she uses which already has the catalyst as a 5 second application & cure. Then there's the CA glue that goes on without the catalyst, separated and sprayed. The mix happens as the catalyst is applied separately. The separates, that allows the glue to seep into the fret slots, the catalyst is then applied and cures the glue. The separates, that's used to fill (neck & headstock cracks for finishing), it literally doesn't hold wood together, that's what the wood glue does. Epoxy is another filling glue. It expands, would glue bonds pulp or the wood for wood grain level bonding.

[@petromax33]

@@jimcamp2423 I have heard of people using CA but it always seem to be in small repairs because of the mess. I will try,for sure, the one with the separate catalyst. Thank you very much for the reply!

[@thevalvefan1775]

Nice! My dad is an old luthier and he said fret work apart from everything else always separated the boys from the men. You are a man amongst boys lol

[@fordsrestorations970]

Wonderful work friend 🙋‍♂️ your work area looks more interesting.... reminds me of a Jethro Tull song "One White Duck" , Stay festive during the holidays-- look towards Fine Art during Jan, Feb months , enjoy a good restaurant along the way , bye !

[@dreamsandvideos]

I like the little wave at the end 👋😄

[@batphink2655]

Tanya you are SO talented your work is outstanding huge respect to you! 👍👍

[@feliped.6716]

Estoy impresionado con este canal, es lo mejor que encontré en mucho tiempo, excelente trabajo te admiro mucho. :D

[@Макс22-е2ы]

Присоединяюсь к желающим подробнее знать, что случилось с ладами ) неужели болгаркой? ) Красиво работаете, отлично снято и смонтировано очень здорово. Спасибо

[@Vltor311]

Will be the best playing Epiphone LP on the planet, when she’s done working her magic.

[@alexdeleon7135]

Well done, as always. I would have liked footage on nipping the fret tangs for a bound fretboard. That way those who are watching for educational purpose will see a proper accommodation for binding. It is not completely necessary to show this, but since you demonstrated radiusing the fret wire, it would be a natural next step. Nevertheless, this was great to watch. Please stay safe, and enjoy your weekend.

[@johnstitt2615]

Learning with Tanya. Imagine teacher Shpachuk entering the classroom. And we all say “Good mornnnnnnnning teacher”. ✌️🎸✌️

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

??

[@jasonyoung498]

Your videos are very helpful keep up the good work

[@michaelbaynham5107]

I came to this video because I have an Epiphone Les Paul Custom, also in need of a re-fret. It was great to see the care and attention that Tanya gave to this instrument. I wonder what year this guitar was built, because mine was made in Korea in 1997, according to the serial number, and the truss-rod cover just says "Gibson" on it.

[@davids2629]

Idk for sure but I can tell is before 2020 bcse that’s when they started using the Kalamazoo headstocks.

[@MrSongwriter2]

Be prepared for cracks in the binding. Those Korean ones have shocking binding. All the plastic suffers plastic rot, which is a shame as the Korea made ones are otherwise great

[@Ottophil]

@@MrSongwriter2i mean. Mines a korean 96, and binding is fine. whens that kick in? Only issue I have is guy before me did a bad nut Job and I had to redo it, that wasnt even epiphones fault

[@panosdionysopoulos8819]

@@Ottophil it doesn't. It's not a thing with "all the plastic".

[@bassyey]

@@Ottophil Those are just stupid cork sniffers. Plastics do not rot.

[@WritersBlockWill]

Gorgeous work, thank you for sharing. That fretboard is one of the nicest I've seen. There's no way those original frets were wore down /that much/ due to playing. (Unless owner turned it into a slide guitar ... maybe?)

[@tn9tz]

Just did my first fret level a few days ago. While there might be room for improvement, I'm glad that it didn't turn out like the beginning of this video 😀

[@saycanalla]

Super work. Just tune and set intonation in the playing position. Truss rod adjusment the same. 😛

[@helamanavalos9806]

Holy crap, I just did that to my guitar :'v, havent put the strings back yet, lets see what happens T.T

[@jamesmacdon9351]

Hello from Canada…just subscribed and excellent videos and work !❤

[@jamesmacdon9351]

I don’t have telegram to reply.

[@eddiejr540]

I think someone took a file to those frets…ouch!!!

[@b476816]

I’m very interested in the products you spray on the fretboards? Cleaners and protectants. I assume you are using acetone to clean up the glue residue. Brand name not important. Love your work and videos

[@steveroberts]

Really nice work Tanya. As per usual.

[@jasujokelainen5073]

Thank you. Beautiful work!

[@JaskaranSingh-rn7sk]

How in the world these frets got into this condition 😱

[@dominicijavier1575]

I was cussing like a sailor when I saw those frets. wth happened? also looked like the neck had a bad back bow

[@aquilarossa5191]

I got in from sea during the early 2000s and bought an Epiphone Les Paul guitar that I could take back out to sea with me, so I did not get too out of practice during my months away from home. The frets only lasted six months or so. Bending and vibrato wore them out really quickly. Not this bad, but about half as bad. I suspected they used softer metal fret wire to make production faster and cheaper. I do not know if they still do that, but my Gibson guitar's frets last much longer. I prefer medium jumbo stainless on them these days though. If installed well they will last just about forever. Apart from the small frets Gibson tend to use, I feel most at home on their guitars, but occasionally I need a Stratocaster sound. I did not want to spend a lot of money on a guitar I would not play much. I bought a Mexican made Standard Stratocaster. I was very impressed with the fret work, plus the feel of the neck in general. Frets have not worn out yet - I lent it to my nephew to play his Pink Floyd stuff on. Lots of bending and vibrato. I think where Fender Mexico saved money was the quality of the vintage style bridge, tuners and electrics. They are a bit cheap and nasty, e.g., lots of wiggle in the tuner shafts, pickups were not great, and the 5-way switch broke. The bones of the guitar are good though, as were the frets. I thought about getting stainless frets installed, but it would cost almost as much as I paid for the guitar. Probably not worth it. I dunno

[@bobmanners8624]

Hello: I wondered why you don't appyi the adhesive in the fret slots before hammering them in? Wouldn't that remove the necessity to remove so much adhesive from the fingerboard after you install them? Just curious 🤔?

[@mhoop1]

i know this is a 'me' thing and it isn't meant to be an attack on Tanya personally but something about Me just can't deal with the textured fingernail decorations; it turns my stomach. good luck, i need to unsubscribe.

[@chillpillology]

serious question… isn’t a refret job on a regular Epiphone worth more than the guitar itself?

[@irondust71]

Depends on what the luthier is asking for, this model goes between $500/$600 iirc

[@lordseph]

No way, those frets didn't turn that way from playing the guitar right? That's insane

[@codexnecro]

I have played a guitar almost everyday for 20 years, and the frets never even got close to this. I feel like this was deliberate, for whatever reason.

[@matthewf1979]

Yep. Some older, less expensive guitars used extremely soft fret wire. It would be pretty hard to find that stuff these days.

[@gerardcousineau3478]

​@@matthewf1979that's probably the answer

[@moisttowelette5353]

Yeah its pretty clear from the sanding marks on the frets that its not normal wear.

[@vintagetone22]

Yup thats not normal wear.even if you play 20 years bending strings every day for 15 hours a day.no way .

[@finmac5548]

So good to watch.....never get bored of your videos.

[@МихаилПлотников-н6щ]

Hello! Что за клей используете для боковинок ладов после их установки?

[@timtaylorguitarnut]

You make that look effortless, which means you are truly a skilled artisan ❤

[@andydyas5384]

I love watching your videos so please just video all day every day while you are at work 🤣

[@gerardcousineau3478]

Excellent work looks like new. 😊🕊️

[@jeromewagschal9485]

Were they trying to turn it into a "fretless wonder" all over again ?? Those who know the history of the Les Paul will know what I'm talking about...

[@kmatax9237]

…how?

[@XLBiker13]

Were the frets ground down with a dremel or grinder for purposes of this video? That's obviously not fret wear from playing the guitar and I can think of no reason anyone would indiscriminately grind down their frets. The "wear patterns" made no sense at all. It's so random.

[@harleyhexxe9806]

When I was in high school, I knew a guy who did that to his SG, trying to make it like a "Fretless Wonder." He ruined that fret job.

[@zapa1pnt]

"Fret job"? No, that's a different kind of F job. What a jackass. 😁✌🖖

[@radfury23g32]

Some of thesea guitars...I just want to see what the owner plays every day! Although in this case particularly he might be playing with a belt sander in place of his fingers

[@bt6496]

You make it look so easy ,,, Almost have me convinced I could do it myself

[@reyjm100]

Really nice job

[@deandee8082]

have they been filed? . . . you can see what looks like file marks perpendicular to the frets, why?

[@dimarock1]

Добридень! Скільки часу, приблизно, займає така робота? Бо у відео це 11+ хвилин, а в реальному житті? 🤔

[@MartinvonBargen]

Wonderful work. Was a pleasure to watch and it spurred me on to fix my Jackson nut slots over the next few weeks too. 🤘🤘

[@zapa1pnt]

Remember to make the slots a few thousandths wider than the strings, so they don't bind. 😁✌🖖

[@czechmate9497]

Love your videos but they're is WAY to much background noise from the others.

[@dmodus3643]

Не могу понять, для чего лады припоем лудить перед снятием? Если просто для прогрева, то можно канифолью обойтись, она теплоотдачу увеличивает. А припой что делает?

[@dagwood4669]

That's what happens when you let Andre the Giant play your guitar

[@65dougk]

Her choice of nail polish makes it look like she has a serious nail fungus problem.

[@kennethhacker3014]

That looks like a vintage,,is it a old guitar? Love you work and hello from NJ

[@kryth666]

"I'm gonna save some money leveling my own frets. Watch this guys." -this guitar owner

[@hansolo422]

Amazing job Tanya!

[@stu-j]

Someone either had a buzz and didn't know how to fix it or they use a file as a plectrum lol!

[@maxwellbowden9961]

Ted Woodford tells us that the CA glue should only go on the end grain of the fretboard and not the bottom of the nut slot. Easier for future work, i guess 😊😊

[@busabrye]

Saved it

[@dalebarnes5642]

I love your work. BTW, why do you have wads of glue on your fingernails?

[@Fortenurg]

I love 3:45 when you insert the frets pre-ground to keep the neck binding trim hiding the frets. I learn so much watching you and love your work.

[@TheMurkot]

Це як таке зробили? і ХТО???? капець, руки відірвати треба тому, хто так сточив лади...

[@bpetrosoff]

Never tune in that position. Gravity. Always tune in playing position

[@jeffreyrivers1983]

What is the stuff you are wiping on the frets with a stick and why do you drop solder on the front that you're removing

[@titusrider7948]

It's a joy to watch you work. The before / after results are stunning 😊

[@alecfraser1928]

Do you have a special labour rate for those who have already tried it themselves 😉 .... or watched a KZbin video ....

[@RRW276]

I wish CITIES hadn't tripped up the fingerboard market all for nothing and now the makers have the taste for the cheap stuff (i.e. Laurel, and worst possible grade of Pau Ferro you could possibly get). These old Epi's and Fender imports used to come with nice rosewood boards. Unfortunate.

[@Sammywhat]

The thickness of that fretboard is remarkable! Beautiful, meticulous work once again!! You never disappoint, Tanya!!

[@markseverson3358]

I like the Lefty Les Paul . I'm a South paw too.

[@GeorgeCampbell1964]

Oh yeah! She does a great job!

[@Sammywhat]

I liked seeing your reflection in the pickup at the end!! 😄

[@Jah_Rastafari_ORIG]

Love your stuff but those 3D fingernails scare the hell out of me...

[@TomTomOrk]

Fret edge on binding. Very ugly result. Unacceptable.

[@MrSongwriter2]

The binding on those epiphones are garbage I had one where it already had hairline cracks and it cracked more hammering the frets and then on 1 fret where it needed a bit more polishing with the dremel on the end it started to melt the binding. Never ever had any of that on bound boards ever until the Korean epiphones.

[@biketopia]

Someone filed those frets flat.. next time just refret the guitar instead of trying to make someone look bad

[@sylvaind9086]

Wow! You are a gifted artisan Tanya! (Hope you are safe)

[@dcluthier]

Awesome work ❤

[@ПашаХапай]

Tell . What glue is used in the video after installing the frets? Please answer, I calibrate the guitars myself, I really need them, but I can’t find them on the Internet.

[@ScottBTTuk]

What are the abrasive blue pads? Anybody know?

[@GeoffreyAnderson2112]

Just poetry in wood and steel. Great stuff Tanya!

[@HeikoMichaelOh]

I don´t know why, but its always a Pleasure to watch such Things, especially at 2:39 i felt so relaxed and thought it couldn´t get any better🤤 but then came 3:12 and then 4:07 and 4:28 and...so on, i hope i don´t send too much creepy Vibes😂

[@robertblair-uk4ph]

What the hell happened to that? Looks like someone had a stab at turning it into a fretless wonder or something.

[@juliustherenaissanceman1900]

Now there's someone who puts real practice time into that guitar.

[@izzysantiago978]

Looks like someone botched the fret job! Great job there young lady.

[@zapa1pnt]

That was not a "botched" fret job. That was just stupid/drunken butchery.

[@МясоЕнота]

Круто! А зачем на верстаке кусок стратоподобной бошки?

[@rdaws73]

Nails freaking me out. Like little gummy bears glued on.

[@williamsporing1500]

My frets are worn to death on my LP, but they don’t look like those! Lol

[@MashaT22]

Gorgeous! I wish I could learn to do that, but I have nobody to show me. Everyone makes it sound easy in videos (just mark the frets and file until the marker disappears!), but there’s clearly more to it such as knowing when to use each tool and how to really round the crowns. I’m sure nearly all the guys on KZbin have had someone show them how to crown/replace frets in person at some point in the past . . . and also messed up plenty with tons of practice . . . before learning and deciding it’s easy, lol. Tanya, from one female to another, thanks for showing that women can do just as good of a job if not better than a guy. It’s like fixing cars. Most guys think there’s no way a girl can do it until they see one do it, lol. I think a lot of the men I talk to on KZbin are surprised to see how much I know about guitar repair, history, parts, etc. Some have learned to respect my knowledge and opinions while others feel threatened. There is another female that builds acoustic guitars from scratch who also knows what she’s doing. I also love a channel with a woman who does wood burning designs into guitars as well as repairs. It’s a smart move to put your work out there. If we lived near each other, I’d ask you to teach me to crown/replace frets . . . but I’m in NYC. So far I’ve been brave enough to try doing many other things to repair/maintain my guitar. Re-frets are the one thing that worry me because you can’t easily undo errors once you file too much material, lol. Still, I appreciate your work if I study what you’re doing long enough and can find a few free practice necks (so I don’t ruin my own guitar), maybe I’ll be brave enough to copy you. 😊🎸👩🏼‍🔧🪚🗜️🧰🪛🛠️

[@PippPriss]

I made a refrets watching tons of KZbin tutorials, and it worked for me! Nobody showed me in person how it works, but it worked out. Grab yourself a super budget guitar and then and give it a shot! You might find a new hobby! But, my tip for you: be ready to invest a few hundred bucks for proper tools. You can get it done with a lot of DIY, but that costs more time and is less efficient, making you prone to error.

[@LudwigVon]

Buy some really cheap guitars and practice on them

[@anderssvart3257]

These frets are not destroyed, they were just used properly :D

[@catabaticanabatic3800]

Hahaha. What kind of mental defect would do that to any guitar?

[@cpk313]

Thanks for the explanation, I looked at the frets and my first thought was, "that's not play wear"

[@PavlovPavel1987]

Чудо женщина🎉❤❤❤

[@tribestribes2555]

Why in earth does she have this stuff on her nails? Is it some kind of protection on her real nails, or what?

[@darkness_ocean]

люте знущання над інструментом) людина мабуть не чула про радіус грифа

[@CA10Z]

We saw your fingers on the Pickup...

[@dammitcarl1082]

what could they have possibly done to do that much damage