Fixing fret buzz: spot leveling and re-crowning

www.stewmac.com/
Dan Erlewine found a 1935 May Bell and fell in love with her. She has some fret buzz due to worn frets that are flat and wide. Dan shows how a little leveling and filing got her playing again.
This old May Bell guitar has a “mother of toilet seat” pickguard and fingerboard. This model was made by Regal in 1935 and distributed by Slingerland. In the case with it was a metal raised nut to be placed over the string nut, presumably for playing Hawaiian lap-steel style.
If you have questions, please contact us through our webpage www.stewmac.com/email or visit our Facebook page / stewmac
For more information on tools and parts:
StewMac Fingerboard Guards
www.stewmac.com/3744.html
3-Corner Fret Dressing File
www.stewmac.com/1601.html
Fret Dressing Stick
www.stewmac.com/1826.html
Fret Work Step-By-Step
www.stewmac.com/1550.html
Dan Erlewine's Fret Basics
www.stewmac.com/5611.html
4" Radius Blocks Essential Set
www.stewmac.com/0431.html

[@SeemsLikeSomething]

Who else wishes this guy was their grandpa or uncle and you could get him to look at all your guitars and fix up em real nice? 😁

[@thecarwashcompanyusa]

One day this could be you if you keep fixing up ur guitars and learning. It’s who I wanna be!

[@anthonycallahan4832]

And that guy from this old house - I say that all the time

[@jackaalucas]

U wish you didn’t have your current grandparents kinda fucked up

[@bluewaterpig]

Dan Erliwine is a guitar tech’s tech.

[@robotsongs]

He wouldn't look at them all... He'd bring you into the shop for the first one, explain what he was doing, then say "OK, now you" and sit back drinking a gin and tonic in his chair with the paper while you work.

[@TheBassplayah]

This Gentleman has the best knowledge and most trustworthy quality of any luthier people who post here.

[@jimtomatola]

I take a Sharpie and color the whole top of the fret. When there's just a thin line of black along the centerline, you're done filing.

[@kenren110]

Dan is a national treasure. Thanks Dan!

[@talister106]

I never tire learning something new about guitars and the noble act of restoring life to a old guitar. Thanks.

[@blrobinson5854]

I've been a Singer/Song Writer and Performer for 50 years and have always had to send my Favorite Guitars to shops for repairs never getting them back in time for the next show. Thank you for the tips. Tried them and they flat work. You are the Guitar God.

[@mikepawlikguitar]

I've seen many other videos of luthiers online but this just is a great example of a real, seasoned professional. THanks a lot

[@hivacdecatron]

All us guitar fellows do things differently to suit our own style, but you are a true gem. Cheers buddy from Scotland

[@ClarenceHW]

Dan, your videos share a wealth of knowledge and experience, thanks so much.!

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Mr. Dan Erlewine is The Man. I could watch ( and learn ) from him - all day = True Master.

[@jB-cw9gs]

Thank you sir for posting these videos. You've help make my guitar fixing skills so much better.

[@fernandomagana530]

That was honestly the easiest explanation I've heard. I researched all day on how to do this job and saw your video! Thank you! You're a Genius!

[@curtiseverett1671]

he IS a f@cking genius.......

[@MrRoyobentoni]

A deep appreciation for your teachings,

[@rakowumusic5143]

You made my day. I had this "buzz" problem with one of my guitars. No one could explain me the reason. Thank you a lot :)

[@TheDeathInTheAir]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[@andrewdenine1685]

I love these videos. He's a guitar tecs dream

[@lawncuttingplusdelta]

Your friend paul from Canada, thanks you.... U are all I need to do it myself on my guitars..... I like how u explain and put little visuals . Great job

[@smokey9397]

Awesome Dan!!!

[@u.s.a.198]

I'd like to work with someone like this to learn from them. Very knowledgeable... that's a rare find!

[@morMICRO]

man! thats a really beautiful guitar

[@rockhoundingeasternwashing5308]

Cool ole' guitar you have there, Thanks for the buzz fix tip!

[@circuit-breakermi3865]

May Bell looks and sounds sweet!

[@dingodogrecords]

Beauty find.

[@TranscendianIntendor]

I don't know if I ought have gotten so much deeper into guitars. I never had them in my future before it came. Thanks, great videos.

[@st.apollonius5758]

That's a beautiful guitar thanks for the tip.

[@keyofdon6890]

Very nicely done

[@williamwinn948]

Love stewmac tools.

[@wallsmartsme]

Very educational. I learned something from watching this video Thanks. I just got a lefty guitar ibanez. It's a bueatiful guitar. It needs the frets filed for easier playing with it

[@JohnDoe-gv9jv]

Good job and thanks for the tip on the home made tool. Thank you for sharing.

[@Robil63]

Great little tute, learnt a valuable tidbit here if nothing else.

[@symonf1966]

It never occurred to me that a string could buzz on the fret it was fretted on. I did like the mother of toilet seat. I'd never heard of that before. Thank you Dan

[@hamiltonjenkins167]

Mrlz56 look from 0.40 where Dan explains, with the aid of the diagrams, how the string can buzz on the flat top of the fret that is being fretted. Crowning the fret gives the string a precise point of contact with the fret allowing the string to vibrate without buzzing on that same fret. Buzzing on frets further up the neck is a different problem and I would post a video myself if I had any skill whatsoever in the area of fret filing. So I will just have to carry on with what I do know: talking bollocks.

[@Amin.Ashraf]

Mrlz56 it can buzz on the flat top fret it being fretted if the guitar had higher strings action because the string comes in contact on the front side of the flat top fret while leaving a tiny gap on the back of the fret to cause the buzzing when the string vibrate. Buzzing on the fret further up the neck probably caused by the strings action being too low or it had uneven fret crown. Which is the fretted fret is lower than the fret further up the neck. I'm no expert but I think those are the possible reasons for both problem. By the way, I've re-crowning all of my guitar's fret and buzzing no more.

[@Hexspa]

They say the same about flat nut slots: you can get buzz in the nut slot if you don’t angle it back toward the headstock

[@rent2ownnz]

nice Video Stewart! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[@Jonpoo1]

I'd never have the guts to operate on my own guitars but this great video helped me at least understand what I'm paying for. Thanks.

[@DunderHead.5000]

Where do you take your guitar(s)? I'm looking for a place to send mine since there isn't a local place here I trust.

[@Billo1281]

Thank you for the videos sir! Your videos will definitely help me to get rid of some buzzing I have on my guitars!

[@Cam_B]

dude you just like to piss on everyone's cake don't ya

[@andrewmanford]

This guy is a genius.

[@kahwndry2012]

I enjoy these videos

[@timtamholic555]

Thank You Sir!

[@giulioluzzardi7632]

She's a keeper!

[@TheAaron3dg]

Thanks for sharing!

[@GRAFHC]

Wow, hard to believe you're 70 years old... I'd guess early 60's if I had to. Great video as always!

[@TheClemcaster]

He's actually 23, but he's had a tough life.

[@napalmhardcore]

He makes this stuff look so easy and when I try it, well... stuff goes wrong :(

[@onpsxmember]

He just did it more often and found out a lot of ways how not to do it. Every journey starts with the first step.

[@littlebritain64]

Enjoyed it, thanks!!

[@ricardodoliveira8631]

Nicely done nicely described helpful thank you.

[@johnnytsunami7150]

Thanks for the demo! I'm looking to fix the fret buzzing on my dillion 522 sas. Great guitar but the body thru design seems to have some oddities in its lower action playing (really bad fret buzz).

[@zurdoremi]

yes, those May Bell have a sound all their own. Mine has brass frets and bridge saddle.

[@zwip778]

Thank you sir

[@Crantrex]

I wish i had a cool grandpa like you

[@josephwalton487]

😆😆Mother of toilet seat. You had me rolling there.

[@gabrielbalza5096]

Thanks!

[@supremeleader9032]

Thanks for the advice old timer

[@These_go_to_eleven_1959]

"Mother of toilet seat" that never gets old! LOL

[@afewloosescrewandnuts]

Rest easy 😭😭❤️ ..

[@Tad_Johnston]

My dads got an ol maybell archtop super cool

[@Mistershredd]

We all said "mother of toilet seat" back in the 70s, when those particular pearloid toilet seats were popular. It seems to be making a comeback, which I fully support.

[@phillyphill34]

I hope I'm this cool one day!!!!

[@hivacdecatron]

I would personally advise all after levelling work to be done laterally, or from side to side when using an accurate long beam sander.

[@curtiseverett1671]

also, when you are doing a fret level, never drink 7 shots of Don Julio.....

[@roncarter2188]

Im wondering what would be the best way to fix some frets on the end of the fret board say between the 15th thru the 20th fret, when making bends the strings will die out and not ring like on the lower frets. Should I just remove and sand off some the frets from the 15th thru the 20th alone? Any info would be appreciated. Thanks

[@StefBorremans]

Hi Dan! Great video! When I see fret levelling videos, they are always being filed / sanded to reduce height. I wonder why nobody gives the higher frets a few gentle taps with a fret hammer first? Thanks!

[@sgd5k292]

I know this is a year later, but I tried your method on my Strat that had 4 slightly high frets, and now the frets are level and the guitar plays great again with no buzzing! Thanks!

[@dadoblade75]

I've never heard the term, "mother of toilet seat" before!🤣

[@AgonyX1992]

I've always had a mixed feeling about fingerboard guard and I'd like to see what other people think. On one hand of course it's handy if you're just working on a few specific frets, but on the other hand, it, being metal, leaves slight parallel traces that don't completely go away (at least to my eyes) even after fret oil. Thoughts?

[@camel7355]

Smooth off the edges with a file, polish. Then use it.

[@davecheney2314]

Genius =]

[@jamesmurphy5499]

Can a flat file be use just as effectively or do you NEED a 3 corner file?

[@joshuawoodyard7556]

"mother of toilet seat"! awesome!

[@PlatinumBlack90038]

It is genuine!

[@dartsman76]

you don't see that quality of of work every day

[@7550375503]

Mister Rogers of guitars

[@thegypsy7078]

Praise the Lord for vibration frequencies :)

[@CC-hs7st]

Mother of toilet seat!!. Love it. Thanks

[@hackprine5691]

cool

[@pjfields2382]

The little fret guard tool..can you design one for the whole board instead of taping one off when you have to do the whole thing if that makes sense?

[@ronin6158]

Good to see counselor Hamann from the matrix keeping busy these days.

[@fingersfhillips]

I wanted to say your awesome I love the work the detail your know how on everything thank you so much for your top rated videos in my book fingers_fhillips 2014

[@franzervinalcaide9667]

Can I use a 2.7mm fret on acoustic guitar?

[@FYMASMD]

I so appreciate luthiers. Personally I can't stand doing guitar maintaining other than oil, strings, and cleaning. I gladly pay for a pro setup on my rigs. Gladly! !!👍😎

[@FrisellFan01]

There may be a bunch of guys out there that might do this work......but there is only 1 guy I trust......Dan Erlewine....... enough said.

[@patrickpalmer3374]

The neck I have came from China cheap because I was going to re fret it and put abalone dots in. The fret markers are not centered, and not centered in the middle of the neck. Markers are like 6mm to one fret and 8 mm on the other side. 12 3/4 to the 12th fret. I have a StewMac fret scale with a fender 25.5 scale on it but when I lay it on the neck many don't center with the rule and the high note frets are way off is this normal or do I have a piece of firewood?

[@miguelrico4338]

My american Telecastor Pro II comes with flat frets from the factory. Is this going to be prone to fret buzz?

[@alext8828]

Why are you not using a crowning file to do those frets? I know StewMac sells them.

[@sirswift23]

+Alex Tworkowski Good for new frets, but not old or worn, low profiled frets!

[@alext8828]

sirswift23 Ah, very good. Good point. I just noticed that you have a unique guard over the fretboard. Where in the world did you find that? That is a gem. I didn't see that in any of the catalogues.

[@sirswift23]

+Alex Tworkowski It's a modified chip stopper! Slotted at the end to accept some rubber band. Sometimes the best tool for the job is a tool remade for the job....

[@alext8828]

sirswift23 I find that's always the case. I have a friend that swears that the people that design and make tools never use them. I agree w/ him. I find that i need to modify allot of my stuff. Just Googled chip stoppers and Stew Mac came right up w/ a video. Thanks for the info. Gold.

[@curtiseverett1671]

You are great!!!! We are not worthy!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@williamdougie6213]

can you get these files at home depot?

[@jennC8797]

What coarseness of sand paper do you use with the sanding block?

[@jacksquirrel2001]

+jennifer castro He uses 320 in the "Making a guitar neck more comfortable to play" video.

[@AngeloLuis22]

why some of the guitar is needed to change frets instead of crowning them hmm what is the reason? thanks God bless

[@madmannolen]

when u have the proper set of tools, its way more easier... : (

[@DougHinVA]

why is there not a file that is a concave to make the fret curve as you use it?

[@stricknine8623]

Doug H. in VA its called a crowning file

[@DougHinVA]

so why does a pro not just use a crowning file, then ?

[@meadish]

@@DougHinVA Reasons I have heard stated (although I could not vouch for whether they are true or not, so take this for what it is, just second-hand info) is that the triangular file affords the user more precise control, and allows the user to remove less material.

[@roshanshrestha4030]

i need to adjust my truss rod.. but i think my truss rod is jam inside.. are there any other way to straighten my guitar neck?

[@boogie11able]

Roshan Shrestha Heating and clamping

[@alexanderlyberth9821]

What kind of fretboard is that?

[@davidkennedy1271]

I see you used a 4 inch sanding block to do a light level...the scourge of people who think they're luthiars. (I'm sure you know what your doing) I think you should do a video on how and when to use a short sanding block....My gut tells me it's for lightly tuning the frets of a guitar that's only slightly buzzing. Also why a short block is better if your leveling with relief in the neck (such as when the strings are on)

[@SFolkes97]

"mother of toilet seat" - you don't see that much these days.

[@izzynutz2000]

That's a good looking axe there Dan.. With the cherubs on there,, why they'll make good protectors against Balbuh, when you're playing that crossroads down Home blues LOLOLOL

[@AdamGtr86]

Anyone know where to get that tool he uses around the fret to protect the fretboard?

[@joelbyrne]

AdamGtr86 www.stewmac.com/

[@AdamGtr86]

joelbyrne well no s***, lol, I just couldn't find them on the website. Eventually I did find them though.

[@allyhellkiller5535]

Lighter strings will travel more and maybe cause fret buzz.

[@shivanshushekhar9356]

my specific fret of specific string are only buzzing like 10 fret of g and s

[@noobpower96]

You might want to check ur neck in that case. Chances are its bowed (basically forming like a very long stretched out U-shape). Or you've just really played that 10th fret on the g and have worn out the fret a bit

[@TheVINMAN531]

What type of fingerboard guards are they?

[@stewmac]

Dan's using a StewMac Fingerboard Guard for Guitar (item #3744) that he's modified to bend around this fretboard for a better fit. www.stewmac.com/Luthier_Tools/Tools_by_Job/Tools_for_Necks_and_Fingerboards/StewMac_Fingerboard_Guards.html

[@thrasherx9319]

A draw file. Impressive.

[@patrickfitzgerald2861]

Yes Dan, she has a heckuva body for sure. 😉

[@Pgcmoore]

shes a beaut for sure ;)

[@kenaiello4851]

instead of a crowning tool I could just use a file like you did for this amateur ? want to learn how. Fret level with a sanding block and crowning thx

[@fenderlead1]

Why wouldnt a crowning file work here?

[@HarmFlo]

A crowning file could work, but normal files give you way more control.

[@customgtrs]

The diamond crowning file is the ticket here I think...for me anyways..

[@gingerleyham]

I would have used a crowning file, but only because I don't have the skill to use a regular file!

[@Dailyvids25]

You just made that fret even shorter !

[@GPCTM]

Triangular shape doesn't make sense for that as it is used as a tilted flat one. Makes no difference. A pentagonal would do it as it would allow to use the board as ground and the correct angle would be against the fret... Do I need to make a drawing?

[@WholeLottaBulldog]

I'm always surprised when I hear this fella speak, that he's not talking about The Green Mile.