Fixing Sharp Fret Ends on a Fender Player Telecaster Guitar

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Great information. I can watch, for hours. I love learning. I've been doing all my own set-ups, intonation, maintenance & repairs for the past 8 years. It' always comes out 10x Better vs. "The Pro-shop" - I am acquiring the Proper-tools ( little by little ). Enjoyed your video.

[@hoganshideout]

Hey thanks a lot and thanks for watching. I'm really glad it was helpful. The right tools make all the difference!

[@theRandy712]

Exactly the video I needed today, perfect. Thanks!

[@hoganshideout]

Awesome, glad it was helpful!

[@brianjames3567]

Great video showing attention to detail. Good work!

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks Brian I appreciate the comment!

[@austinsandefer649]

I like your video. I have just liked and subscribed. 💯 🎸 🇺🇸.

[@hoganshideout]

Awesome, thanks Austin!

[@kagreen2k]

I’m going to do my Fender Player Lead III. I bought the files from StewMac. I wasn’t planning to take the neck off though. StewMac has a video where they left the neck on. They used 6000 and 8000 sandpaper to finish. Your video is a nice complement to that video.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks for the comment. I like to remove the neck when doing fret work to avoid getting any metal shavings from the frets in the pickup magnets. It's not necessary though and you can do it without removing the neck. I wonder if they were using micro mesh pads in the StewMac video you saw? Micro mesh pad numbers are different than standard sand paper numbers. Take a look at this: www.sisweb.com/micromesh/conversion.htm Good luck!

[@kagreen2k]

StewMac also used the micro-mesh touch up stick (which are 2400/4000/12000 grit) in their video. I will put tape over the pickups to avoid metal shavings. That was a very good tip. Thank you.

[@hoganshideout]

@@kagreen2k The tape over the pickups should work well. I was actually using regular sandpaper in the video. For reference 1800 grit standard sandpaper is around 12,000 grit micro mesh. Either will work great. Thanks for the comments and good luck with your project.

[@roadtorockstar7848]

This is a great VIDEO! LETS ROCK!

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks Rockstar!

[@relmaimon7294]

Hello, what tools from Home Depot or Lowes could I use to replace the leveling and dressing files? Also, what was the polish and spray used at the end? thanks!

[@hoganshideout]

I have never used commonly available (Lowes Home Depot, etc.) files for fret work. Specialty files form Stew Mac are not too expensive and a good investment. Links for the files are in the description -- they are not affiliate links. The polish is just standard Gibson polish which I like, and the polishing compound is 3m Finesse it II Finishing Material www.amazon.com/3M-39003-Finesse-Finishing-Material/dp/B0002NUNC0/ref=asc_df_B0002NUNC0/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312190122371&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=14584754846487081580&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9012939&hvtargid=pla-568796399445&psc=1 You can get fine grade sandpaper or micro mesh pads from stew mac also.

[@stewartross13]

Was there lacquer on this neck? I’ve got a guitar that has fret sprout as well as lacquer bumps from thick lacquer. I’d really like to get it smooth as butter. Should I follow the steps you took in this video? Was going to sand the side of the fretboard after taping everything off

[@hoganshideout]

The Player Fenders are satin finished. You can do gloss finished necks the same way I did in the video, and you can do it without the tape. Go slow and be careful. If you scuff the finish as long as you don't go too deep you can buff it out with some compound. There really is no good way to do this that doesn't pose so risk to the finish though.

[@stewartross13]

@@hoganshideout I ended up sanding the sides of fretboard 400-1500 and polishing. I’m still not quite happy with it though… ugh

[@hoganshideout]

@@stewartross13 With the frets or the finish? Did you use polishing compound?

[@stewartross13]

@@hoganshideout ended up taking another whack at it this time starting with 120 to really try and get that lacquer off. It’s better now that most of the lacquer is gone from the side of the fretboard. Applied a tung oil coat as well. Need to dress the frets then I should be good

[@hoganshideout]

@@stewartross13 Sounds good, it just takes a bit of practice.

[@tomakafrankconlon3207]

Great video. Lets always remember a name means nothing when it comes to quality. Good marketing sells stock.

[@hoganshideout]

Thanks Tom.

[@Dave-tw9ib]

what grit is the file stone ????? Im making one

[@ernielamprell6765]

Did you manage to avoid going through the lacquer on the fretboard edge?

[@hoganshideout]

There was no damage to the finish. In some cases there will be finish over the fret ends and that can get knocked off, but unfortunately there is really no good way to prevent that.

[@ernielamprell6765]

@@hoganshideout Thanks. I may well buy the file and give it a go!

[@hoganshideout]

Good luck Ernie. Go slowly and you should be fine.

[@jasonkennedy2348]

I see on the link there’s a Fret Leveler and a Fretboard Leveler. They look identical. One is $5 more. Which one to get?

[@hoganshideout]

Hi Jason, I have the fret leveler and I haven't tried the fretboard leveler. They are different though and if you are getting it to file frets (fret ends too) get the "fret" leveler.

[@jasonkennedy2348]

@@hoganshideout i appreciate the tutorial. This is no doubt is the best one I seen and thank you! But realized the tools and supplies add up a good bit. The local music store guy said he’d do this for $80. That’s hard to beat and I for one really love to DIY tinker lol. I honestly see how this setup could benefit if your doing work to several guitars or no local/reasonable priced/good guitar shop/techs are in your vicinity. Again, great work sir!

[@hoganshideout]

@@jasonkennedy2348 Thanks Jason. It's best to try things like this on an expensive guitar first to get the hang of it before working on more expensive guitars. Good luck.

[@marinevet7273]

I need to try this, I have a gold tone instrument that is a couple years old, it seems the neck wood has shrunk the frets stick out enough that it is not playable and could easily cut my hand or fingers. Do you have a link for that wood flat file? Than you

[@hoganshideout]

StewMac has them in stock. It's the six inch fret leveling file. www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/leveling/fretfingerboard-leveling-files/?gclid=CjwKCAiAxJSPBhAoEiwAeO_fPwK0tl8Raj-Hla2Rq7mFhZ08s3l1gbnPUqKoohjJt1JhBxt8pbeYyxoC3soQAvD_BwE

[@dinolisi9812]

Where can I get that block file ???

[@hoganshideout]

www.stewmac.com/luthier-tools-and-supplies/tools-by-job/tools-for-fretting/leveling/fretfingerboard-leveling-files/

[@dinolisi9812]

AWESOME !!! thanks you so much @@hoganshideout

[@christoguichard4311]

The frets were exactly the same on my Player Series Strat in the same colour. At first, I thought...jesus, that's bad. But...I think what they've actually done is purposefully NOT round off the edges of the frets because that can cause the high and low "E's" to slip off sometimes.

[@ranman58635]

I was almost certain I'd damage the poly. It's nerve-wracking and I just have to get over it.

[@t9899]

I’m extremely afraid to take the neck off my guitar. Pray for me lol

[@Dave-tw9ib]

sound like your cutting wood with a saw ha