How To Fix Sharp Fret Ends - Stratocaster Upgrade Series Part 2

In This Video we look at a brand New Fender Stratocaster with Bad Fretwork
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[@johnburrows5535]

I cannot begin to thank you enough for this video. Like many, I have dealt with fret sprout over the years and have been charged lots of money by local repairmen to fix it! I watched the video and purchased the files you linked to and gave it a shot. I can't believe how little effort and time it took to get great results - no more sharp annoying frets!! Thanks again.

[@DennisJPolson]

It was very informative seeing those macro shots of the fret ends and followed by good closeups of the technique you use. Great stuff, Dylan!

[@stringedaz]

This is a really great trick to get your fret ends nice and smooth. I find that doing this to a really cheap neck is a great way to get a good neck for a low cost

[@andrewdarnley4608]

It's really worthwhile to get StewMac's specially designed file for this job. Great video Dylan.

[@custerranch]

Been wanting one, but their $10 shipping for one file chaps me...

[@andy_182]

@@custerranch amazon hasthem with free shippping if you have an Amazon Prime Membership

[@custerranch]

@@andy_182 Sort of. On their website, they cost about $16 plus shipping. But on Amazon, they're $23.54. Not really free shipping, they just added it into their Amazon price. And no free returns.

[@rickhenry8760]

I've never had a guitar have the end frets stick out until I got my ES-335 and it seemed fine at first and now 6 months later, the end frets stick out and it's irritating as can be. I was told by several Guitar Luthiers that humidity can cause the wood to shrink round the frets causing this to happen. I've never heard of this theory before. All I know now is I'm grateful for this video to show how to fix this slight issue. Thanks #DylanTalksTone

[@davecurrie99]

Cheers for these vids, Dylan. Nice to see some no-BS instructional stuff that's well explained and clearly shown. Has given me the confidence to order up a few files etc and tackle a few of the minor issues on my guitars.

[@brucelatronica2046]

Thanks for your cool shows! I learnt alot about guitars and pickups and cool tricks from your videos

[@alienn4hire]

Good stuff! I appreciate that I can trust content on this channel to be good advice

[@richsanchez622]

It is always something! I have three fenders that all have sharp fret edges. Thanks

[@lance8167]

Dude you taught me a new technique with a file for sure that was some good content

[@kellyjandrews]

Just did something similar with a cheap acoustic before I found this video. Glad to see I did something intuitive and it worked out 😂

[@rickycompton2610]

Great video Dylan I think people are afraid to work on the frets of a guitar but it’s not that hard your video will be helpful to a lot a players to fix there frets stay safe you and your family

[@bryantwalley]

You cracked me up with that. All that time and patience on the fret end but looks like you just took a grinder to those finger nails. Still much love for you and the family.

[@christopher9086]

I have the same Strat in the copper finish and my neck is not finished like this one. The frets are sticking out super bad due to the seasonal humidity change. I have the StewMac fret dressing file and a 35 degree bevel file and am going to tackle it today.

[@BudgetRC_Channel]

I have one of those cheap file sets from Harbor Freight, but not the diamond set. I took one of the flat files, and ground the narrow edges on a belt sander to smooth the narrow parts down. That makes it perfect for filing the frets without damaging the fretboard at all.

[@AntlerBranching]

This video is so helpful. Thank you! It seems that the fret tools link is dead. :/

[@betterl8thannvr]

I love how you mentioned PRS is an exception to the rule and the video below this is you fixing fret ends on a silver sky 😂

[@jefferson4245]

Ordered an Epiphone Explorer from Zzounds last week that came in with a really bendy neck and some shoddy wiring. Finish-wise, it was perfect. Beautiful laurel fretboard. No nasty oversprays. Or undersprays. The only problem with the fretboard itself, which I was on the lookout for because of Epiphone QC issues, was fret sprout and sharp frets. Everything was fine until about the 15th fret where it honestly looked and felt like the wire was just clipped sloppily. I was prepared to deal with that, but the unreasonably soft mahogany neck and electronic issues demanded a replacement, which should be here any day now.

[@darioscomicschool1111]

4:47 feeling it! Thank you!

[@what1864]

just got an affinity squire strat from amazon , the frets were wonderful , the action needed lowering for my taste, the intonation was spot on ,the truss rod was perfect , couldn't honestly believe it , plus the newer affinities have full size bodies , pickups were a little weak for my taste, so on a wim i ordered the cheapest loaded pickguard on amazon and it sounds great , couldn't believe a loaded 16.99 pickguard would be an upgrade , shows how low quality the electronics are on affinities...

[@what1864]

@Mexican seafood yup surprised me to ..

[@ozoneswiftak]

I agree, micro shots helped alot. Having seen it really close helps people decide if that's the problem. My gibson has such an amout of shellac that I need to address the fret ends on a high end finish. Not a fender. Thier alot easier to file. Mostly wood. No finish left on there to polish, like a les paul.

[@metalfatigue]

Thanks! At last a video on how to fix minor fret edge problems on maple necks without damaging the finish (instead of major sanding jobs on cheap guitars with rosewood boards.) I live in one of the driest places on earth and have never seen fret sprout, but properly finishing fret ends is labor intensive, and it shows.

[@eolasinstruments]

I was doing the dishes when the video started and from my peripheral it looked like you were hugging that three. 😂 Thanks again for the great tips!

[@u.s.a.198]

Ty... great info.. I refused to pay $50 for a stew mac file. I got the same set. Im near Columbia SC. welcome!

[@bradsims7089]

This video was really helpful. I had the same issue on my strat.

[@lance8167]

Oh yeah in the macro shot was excellent

[@dmitryhetman1509]

Dylan how does thickness of foil or material (aluminum vs copper) affects shielding? And do you ground pole pieces and magnets and why?

[@toneocaster]

I bought a Mexican 75th Anniversary Telecaster and there’s finish overspray on the sides of the frets! It drives me crazy! Thanks for the informative video. I’m going to give it a go! 😉🎸

[@Ottophil]

Same!

[@DevilMayAsian]

Ugh! I got an unfinished Wolfgang neck with fret sprout! Was gonna find a way to file it down soon, but this will be great!

[@Lebrawlski]

Thanks for this video. I got 2 new guitars over the past couple of months that have a couple of sharp fret ends. Luckily, I already have some of these files that I got for working on D&D miniatures.

[@HudaNeiburg]

Which Carhartt vest are you wearing?! I've been looking, can't seem to find that particular one! Thanks

[@briannelms158]

Thanks Dylan for the informative upload!

[@bedroomrockstudios408]

Surprised I got a fender Mexico neck roasted maple, frets ends are excellent, nearly rolled smooth and clean. Lower end fenders ususally do need work but not the 700 and up models, they should be decent...

[@josephstacy8678]

Hey Dylan awesome video man. So if I smooth my feet ends like that, it won't hurt the finish? I need to do this on all my fender 🎸 s but I'm a little timid about it.

[@shane1b4u2]

Great subject! Can't wait!

[@rolandjgutierrez7737]

upstoke vs downstream is it a personal prefence ?...RocknRollFlat5

[@levigonzalez7399]

Dylan, do you have a video that discusses, RWRP vs Non-reverse wound? In theory when all pickups (say on a strat) are NON-reverse wound pickups, the magnetic field is all pulling the same way so it's not a complex magnetic pull as a Reverse would set, correct? Wouldn't the strings ring better with a non-rwrp set?

[@DylanTalksTone]

Uh.... no. Lol. That’s a new one for me. It’s not correct though. (Not laughing at you, but I’m falling off my chair at whomever told you that)

[@samain1804]

Good stuff man, thanks!

[@dylanschnurr3928]

Is there a review video on tour tele sized P90s? Thinking of ordering a pair

[@DylanTalksTone]

I don’t think so. Unless there is one on the listing page on the website

[@russelsheartinacage]

My Player Strat has exactly the same issues with the fret ends. Makes it very uncomfortable to play

[@TheChef470]

Not a good look for the quality control people at Fender. But you are right that even expensive guitars can require a little attention out of the box. Like the song from Guns & Roses says all it takes is a little patience : )

[@zeusapollo8688]

I did my mystery tele frets with a nail file

[@uzer_zero]

Recently dressed the ends of the fret crowns on my Strat with a flat-sided fret file. Those came out great but the tangs are still protruding enough to make the edge of the fretboard rough. Not sure how best to bring those in without damaging the fingerboard. Hoping this aspect is discussed.

[@dongonzulman6478]

He did bring up fret sprout (which is what I think you're describing), said to try storing it somewhere with about 50-60% humidity and hope the wood absorbs the wood, expands, then fits the frets again. If that doesn't work you have to file them off.

[@jeffreyrivers1983]

I have a question: I bought a Martin guitar, I changed the strings... same size... but my e.. and b.. strings are too low for playability after I changed them... is that normal for a new guitar

[@DavidMorales008]

Fret sprout on a gloss neck strat is my current issue please help Dylan, please

[@kevinmackfurniture]

The maple a custom violin maker uses to build with is typically stored in a climate controlled environment for as many as 7 years, before it's used. Roasted maple is a manufacturer's solution to limiting the inherent instability of Air dried and Kiln dried maple to changes in moisture content. Wood moves, metal frets do not.

[@gobinstruments4597]

Necks dry out. It just happens and Fender needs to let there neck blanks dry longer before fretting and dressing. I live in the desert and every new Fender I have owned arrives great from the factory but a few weeks later and ouch. Feels like I'm playing a chainsaw.

[@kenthhamner2641]

Part of your statement is correct. The woods are dried to the "required" level of moisture before building (usually by kiln and iirc its pretty low) or they'd warp later on. Then they are usually constructed in a controlled humidity to keep them stable. If you live in a desert then your humidity is way below what is recommended for guitars (40-45%) and most guitars will experience shrinking.

[@Milton_Andrew]

I live in the sub tropics of Australia. Never see fret sprout here.

[@gobinstruments4597]

@@Milton_Andrew Ya we are dry as a bone here in the dessert. Especially in the winter months. I don't know if I could survive in that extreme humidity. I guess I would rather file down my fret ends LOL

[@gobinstruments4597]

@@kenthhamner2641 I wonder what PRS does. They seem pretty sprout free even in the SE line. Perhaps since most PRS guitars have rosewood or other dark woods are less susceptible to climate. Maybe they do a better job of conditioning those woods than Fender.

[@kenthhamner2641]

@@gobinstruments4597 i don't know. There is a technique where the tangs are back angled and the slot ends filled which would be less visible on rosewood. I had a Korean SE245 several years ago but don't remember the details.

[@oldguy5381]

Tedious work, that’s why you make the big bucks.

[@DylanTalksTone]

Lol ... no... that’s why I don’t tell people I do fretwork 😂

[@mirraco323]

What’s hilarious to me, is if this was a Gibson, everybody and their mom would be like “classic QC issues with a Gibson. They suck!” But when other guitars have imperfections straight from the manufacturer, it changes to “always a good idea to give your strat a good setup from the shop. Love Fender!” lmao the double standard just cracks me up.

[@drittal]

My way? Buy a @Texas Toast Guitars Challenger.

[@dtinh182]

Great vid gave me a stroke watching you file with out tape. I would say use 1000 grit and work the fret then the neck edge for a even neck.

[@nalukeko]

Is that thumbnail from the new strat??!? omg.

[@kenthhamner2641]

Fretboard shrinkage is a real thing. I don't attribute it to bad workmanship but a change in climate. That being said I use the same small file (mine's a Japanese made one) and recently trimmed my Player Strat fret ends as well.

[@jochen970]

Played a 1800 dollar american fender strat with rounded fretboard but terrible fretwork. i blame fender for poor quality. also seen very poor neck alignment where i could fit a credit card next to the neck in the neck pocket. Bought a sire S7 instead for 1/3 the price and its flawless

[@christoguichard4311]

I've got 150 buck "SX" guitars that have better fret jobs than the Fender Player strat I bought.

[@blortsnergfud7647]

Don’t be in a hurry to do this. Let the guitar climatize to your environment for at least a week. You might discover that the problem has reversed itself, as far as fret sprout goes.

[@totallykoolyeah]

wtg fender

[@hariowen3840]

Buy a nail file and stop biting them.

[@tmeyer2022]

No, don't use a three angle (triangular) file. Wrong tool!

[@DylanTalksTone]

Feel free to elaborate

[@ursusarctos9825]

Man this is a nail biter..

[@Southwade]

I didn't have to do any of this nonsense for my cheapass Yamahas.

[@DylanTalksTone]

I’m happy for you.

[@williamlewis6615]

This is why I don't buy fender guitars

[@DylanTalksTone]

😂😂😂