Fret Leveling - The Easy Way // How To

How to level Guitar Frets the easy way.
In this video I show you how to level the frets on your guitar with minimal tools. You don't need expensive tools to do a proper fret job. For example you can easily make a fret leveling beam out of a spirit level or a straight piece of wood and some sandpaper. A nodged straigt edge can be made out of a metal ruler or anything els that is straigt. I improvised a nodged straight edge out of cardboard and it worked too. But In all fairness, I have to add that if you're planing on working on more that one or two guitars pruchasing quality fret leveling tools will make your life easyer.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Please bear in mind that you also should file the nut slots to the new fret level (picture the nut slots as the zero fret). Nut slots that are too high create a situation where the guitar is difficult to play due to the high action in first positions. They can also throw off the tuning and intonation. The ideal nut slot height, in terms of playability, is subjective - much like string action height at the bridge. Some players like the slots to be cut up a little higher - like slide players - , and some players want them cut down as low as possible so the guitar plays very easy with no fight - that would be me ;-).

[@Roman-wm4ji]

Thank you so much for this helpul video! I am learning luthier work, but am on a budget. This video was straight to the point and I can't tell you how much I appreciate you showing how to make home made tools. Thank you!! One question though, when rounding frets edges, is there a certain amount of the fret to remove? Any specific things to pay attention to?

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

@@Roman-wm4ji Just make them comfortable round. Don't remove material from the top of the fret ends thereby making the centerline of the fret shorter. If the fret ends are too much angled the strings could glide of the fret ends. Crimson Guitars has a great video on dressing fret ends although they're using more "sufisticated" tools ;-) kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3erlJSsr9BrZrM

[@Roman-wm4ji]

@@FabiansTinyWorkshop Thanks so much! just watched his video :)

[@renatofdearaujo8997]

thanks for the great video. I'm experiencing buzzing in one string, and I suspect this video will help me figure out a way to fix it. Regarding the nuts, my impression is that depending on the strig you'll have a different width on each slot, to lodge properly the string according to the caliber. This way they can sit on the same level... That's another problem I'm experiencing: I'll have to widen some nut slots a bit to make sure they are leveled from the bottom. Makes sense? thanks

[@paulyoung4781]

I have the jem but my fretts seem abit uneaven I definitely think it is needing this done as I have lots frett buz,I've tried all the basics set ups adjustment s like the kneck!! Raising the saddles the bridge ect but I ain't raising it too much past 2mm low E that be too hard to play,seems only my low E that has lots buzz up and down kneck strange one!! I do feel it would be beneficial to level off the fretts and do this,I feel very confident after watching ur video many many thanks buddy thank u

[@Scotchegz]

Quick tip! place a piece of tape down the neck on each side before applying fretboard masking for quick removal.

[@Enzo4music]

thanks!

[@briantinsley7864]

Since you're using some Stew Mac stuff, I think I got several widths of masking tape (blue) and use the narrow rolls on the high frets. I use a piece of granite with double stick 320 to get flat using your basic technique. Ive used several crowning tool, but I use a 3 corner file, but grind one side smooth and polish the corner, and you can get pretty surgical with the frets that way. I got a cheap diamond crowning file, and if you're working on multiple guitars I wouldn't skimp on this tool. I also use the StewMac gritty erasors, and finish by buffing frets with a cloth dremel wheel and simichrome polish.

[@carlmontney7916]

@@briantinsley7864 I also use a dremel and Simichrome. Great stuff

[@ThePelekatMan]

Nice tips! Thanks ☺️

[@stradaveriusfiddle]

And why not use a dollar or two worth of ‘blue painters’ tape? I believe in saving money when it makes sense, but most old style ‘masking tape’ has some pretty nasty adhesive. When I compare the extra dollar for tape, to the value of my guitar neck, it’s a ‘no-brainer.’ It doesn’t have to be the 3m kind. Just keep an eye out for any sort of dollar store, it’s worth a look, because most of them now carry a cheap version of blue painters tape.

[@Defekcija]

This is a great example of how videos should be done. No clickbait and straight to the point! Thank you, Sir.

[@bastiangigas]

The clearest video about crowning and leveling I've seen so far. Thank you!

[@SinsOD]

Yes!!!

[@johndoe1765]

Yes I agree straight forward thank you very much.

[@jonathaneftychiou]

After a quick trip to Lowe's, I just followed this video step by step. Amazed at how doable it actually was and very glad to save $100+ on tools I won't really use again for years. Thanks so much!

[@user-gl7xm3kf3y]

what did you get at Lowes?

[@jacob_krause_official7286]

This is easily the best video on the subject by far. Your directions are distinct, you speak clearly, and actually show us everything you're doing. Thank you!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)

[@emmabrewer2283]

So glad this video isn’t telling me to buy expensive tools 🙏

[@onpsxmember]

Just if anyone is new to that, the file at 3:58 needs the edges ground off to get safe edges. The regular sharp edges will eat through the masking tape and destroy (in this case) the finish of the neck and the wood beneath it. Good video, lowered the hurdle with the self made tools.

[@chrisn527]

Straight and to the point,, great workarounds for the non-luthier in the family. Thank you so much.

[@christopherchurch9274]

Thanks for the really informative video. I'm about to try my hand at some fret leveling for the first time, and I feel your video gave me a good sense of what to do.

[@richardockenden8669]

Clear and concise instructions and straight to the point with no garbage in between , great video matey thank you .

[@keithsa41]

This is concise and straight to the point. You have a natural teaching talent, thanks for posting!

[@kh884488]

So helpful! The double-sided adhesive method looks like a great idea.

[@claudemoanet6870]

I levelled my frets following this tutorial and my guitar turned out great.

[@manfredoliveras3196]

Very good, straight to the point.

[@st.stephensabqumc5283]

Well done! I've got a guitar in need of leveling and after watching, I'm confident I can do this myself. Thanks.

[@violetadanicic5363]

We did a great job with our frets thanks to your video. Thanks. Greetings from Serbia!

[@keith612]

Prima! Thanks Fabian - really demystified the process.

[@JaimeCerrada]

Nice video. It's nice to see videos like this where the luthier do the job with a simple tools and not using those special and expensive tools.

[@yavuzakkus9548]

The minimalistic approach is very understandable and encouraging for a newbie like me. If there's one, I'll watch your fret replacing video, too. Keep up the good work!

[@bastimixacoustic3958]

I saw a friend of mine on Facebook talking about leveling the frets on his guitars and wanted to know what exactly this is all about. This video was very informative but also showed me that this is something I will never ever attempt to do myself XD

[@zippygogo3660]

Perfect vid , this is what you need , this is how you do it , straight to the point , no bells and whistles

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

Thank you, sir. This tells me just what I need to do.

[@neilsmith5464]

Fantastic video. Will be having a go using your approach. Really appreciate your pragmatic attitude, friendly tone and top tips. Elise I already have most of what I need tool wise, so just need to get started!

[@kawwabonga]

Thanks Fabian! You literally just stopped me from wasting quite some money on the tools I would have used one or two times =)

[@jeremykemp3782]

No frills, no expensive tools and no nonsense. Great video thanks

[@hussamjamil4980]

Thank you very much for the tips. I am a beginner (6 months) and my cheap €90 Stratocaster has 3 slightly higher frets. I learned a lot about proper set up (neck relief, inntonation, string hights, pick up heights etc) and was wondering how to do this without special tools and also learn. I also watched your DIY kit, i was looking into a telecaster DIY kit (love the tele twang) and again learned alot. Much appreciated.

[@rottalmusik6563]

thanks for showing this! I will encourage at least someone to do this by him self. I do it this way now a couple yers now with my guitars when needed, but I took me much more years to overcome my fears to make somthing wrong! With your manual and a cheap guitar neck to practice, everybody can get better at this an save money!

[@022rty]

Awesome video bro! Perfect for the everyday average guitar guy like most of us. Thank you!

[@Dodger2879]

So effective and simple! I will try this and I also use the tool with the slot to cover the wood and fret polish on the metal. Great video. Thank you.

[@UndeadBoogie]

Quick, to the point, and good instructions. Thank you !

[@eddievanhelsing]

Thanks! I have done a fret level before but I needed a refresh and this video was very helpful to get the process back in my mind.

[@chemsplosionchemistryvideo9485]

Great work on this video! This is a fantastic resource and I’m going to need it for a current build. Thank you!

[@stephencastro1437]

Thank you very much. I was to do a leveling job, but I did not have the proper tools. This helps.

[@peterjosvai9804]

beautiful, you are really sharing knowledge!!! thank you very much!!

[@mikewright7236]

Thanks to your video, I was able to get my very first and favorite Washburn electric finally playing right. For years I've had problems with it and I just pretty much stopped playing. I thought the fret buzz I kept getting in placed was an adjustment issue... So I adjusted and adjusted to no avail . I finally started examining the frets and noticed very small intentions in the frets in certain places. I used about 8 dollars worth of stuff and used your method and it's playing great now. Thanks so much for this video

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers! Glad you like it!

[@STAY-GOLD-VINYL]

The simplified and downright best fret tutorial out there!! No fancy tools like "StewMac"!!!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I truly appreciate that! :)

[@soupbonep]

Great video with great information! I love videos that show you how to do projects with inexpensive tools.

[@alansturgess1324]

Outstanding. I have a fairly cheap ES335 copy which has a great sound but several high frets - this video is EXACTLY what I needed. I've seen others which make the job look very tricky ... your approach is very straightforward. Many thanks.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@travismccartney]

Thanks for sharing your technique. I had a set-up done on a strat-shaped object of mine but I'm still getting fret buzz, a fret rocker and a notched straight edge from amazon later, and now I now how the fix the fret issues myself.

[@akipachoekie]

Thank you for this video. I'am gonna use this on my Martin T1k Ukelele. I have only oké change. Greetings from the Netherlands.

[@hearpalhere]

Really great video, thanks for showing how to do this process with basic and inexpensive tools!

[@Marksleftboot1]

Great video, no expensive tools, down to earth simple how to! Great stuff!

[@LetMeDieLord]

Wow, danke Fabian! Was für eine geniale Anleitung!!! Gold wert!!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Danke für das Lob!

[@Im-a-Fool]

This is great! I have been delaying a fret leveling on one of my guitars because of the over priced cost of the luthier tools, it is hard to justify that cost especially when the total cost of those tools nears the cost of new neck. This is great information thank you!

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Cheers! Glad you like it!

[@ACMusicland]

Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge. Much appreciated.

[@bassyey]

Great no bullshit approach. Seriously, I like how this doesn't require me to buy expensive stuff and establishes what needs to be done.. Though, I'll probably spend at least for the crowning file, only because I'm not confident enough to do the final shaping. But for the leveling stuff, I'll get the cheap stuff you mentioned, I never thought it would be that easy.

[@FACTBOT_5000]

Thanks for the useful video. Your work is much appreciated.

[@marshallhawkins3754]

Thank you! Just what I was looking for! Very informative!

[@adrianogomes1871]

Great lesson I appreciate the alternatives, since they don't sell most luthier's tools in my country - Cabo Verde

[@danepaulstewart8464]

WOW! What a great SIMPLE and easy to understand lesson. 👍👍👍👍 This should be the FIRST lesson on fret leveling new learners should watch. Yes, you can go further, but all that includes is just being a little more precise at each step - NOTHING would be fundamentally any different. A+ Video Right Here! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! I really appreciate that!

[@misterbearsir]

Outstanding video. Thank you for showing us (in such a clear, direct, joyful way) that we can learn to work on our own guitars with confidence. All the best. ❤

[@MrHellhound1000]

An excellent video, clear and to the point.

[@Lewis_tiger91]

Thank you so so much. By teaching me how to do this, you've made an unplayable guitar, my favourite again. I can't thank you enough for this lesson. 👍

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@Oceansovermidnight]

Thank you for the quick video!! Helped me setup my new partscaster Tele. Got it done fast and only needed to buy a level! 🤘🏼

[@ajaygodase]

Short and simple... Great video

[@jakubshouseofrock7109]

very helpful! thank you for this video I've been wanting to try out fret leveling for years and I'll be trying out this method :)

[@Kadehr]

This video is GOLD Thank you

[@darrelldunn4618]

I like the marking each fret with a sharpie tip.

[@mrfriendly67]

Watching such films, I become convinced that I can do these things myself with my guitars, instead of paying the luthiers.

[@Dude_Guyman]

I paid a "luthier" (Firehouse Guitars, Muskegon) to do this once on a brand new guitar. He wrecked the frets, filed them down to almost nothing and totally uneven from high to low side. When I gave it to them it had some buzzing, high frets, when I got it back it was worse than before with totally dead notes and deep file chatter all over the place.They refunded my money but refused to fix the issue, claiming I did it myself, "It was fine when it left here (an hour and a half before), get out, you're no longer welcome here", etc. I had not even played the thing yet other than to drive it home and check if it was playable, then head straight back to the store. /madface Then I learned to do a complete refret and level, made it into a great playing guitar, and never looked back. F@#$ that guy, and f#$% Firehouse Guitars!

[@Swope_1995]

You can. Through trial and error, and learning.

[@race4711]

Hi Fabian! Thanks a lot for your video guide. It's really very informative. Greets from Italy.

[@ClockworkKnotwork]

Thank you so much!!! I’ve been having a lot of trouble with this. I’ll be trying your method today! Cheers 🍻

[@glynnrichards942]

Many thanks Fabian, excellent video: very clear and detailed, with good camera angles to show the results.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@graxjpg]

This was fantastically succinct, thank you very much!

[@itsmovinfast]

Awesome instructions. Thank you, Sir.

[@zjakester]

Thanks perfectly demonstrated.

[@TrippingTheTube]

Excellent instructions.

[@spiccolirocks3580]

Great job...Very informative and shows what a little creativity can do to save some money and time! 🤘🏻

[@Traumm9]

Excellent upload. Thanks for sharing 👌

[@music-collective]

Excellent tutorial. I want to attempt to do this on my guitar.

[@JesusMartinez-fp5yh]

First video that I’ve seen to take into consideration that not all of us want to spend so much money on special tools. Thank you

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

Thank you! Appreciate it!

[@benhughes2563]

It's amazing what clear and detailed yet plain instructions can do for one's confidence! I am now fully confident that I will be able to do this to my guitars, though I will be investing somewhat into a proper diamond crowning file and radius block to make life a little easier. Many thanks! Edit: Update - done and done. Might go over the crown again in the future as I think I'd get better results with a traditional 3 corner file. My polishing, while adequate, isn't quite mirror finish - really can't afford to skip grits there! No more weird zingy notes though!

[@Big_Red_Dork]

Just use a Dremel with a buffing wheel and compound for the polish

[@anthonyrmay1502]

flash .......................... but wish I could afford them

[@elasticass]

Easy to understand steps and it's a short video! Great job.

[@T.m.K]

Thank you for that video. I just made only how you did and that helped me remove some buzz on frets. Thanks a lot and I wish you all the best !

[@montag4516]

So your first time fret leveling was a success? I'm certain I could do a good job at it but still have been hesitant to do so.

[@lorencing]

Thanks for the instructional demo, looks like I need much less tools than I thought.

[@rockoc7590]

AWESOME Video Fabian! I've been building guitars for awhile, but I've farmed out the fret leveling because I thought it was a BIG hassle! You made it nice and simple.

[@FabiansTinyWorkshop]

If it looks good you don't have to do anything different.

[@neilkuly7937]

Thanks a lot for this video. Very helpful for people on a budget.

[@oldguy5381]

That’s just what I was looking for, thanks

[@BehindTheGoldenCurtain]

Really good tutorial. Thank you!

[@hamid1398]

Thanks for the great video. It is also important to check for strightness of the neck once truss rod is adjusted

[@giovanninatale7075]

good video on fret levelling, you make it look easy, thanks! Good job!

[@mikegayda715]

Take your time and think, guys like this are very helpful you can do this

[@badbillybrookes]

Excellent video, Thank you Fabian. Much appreciated.

[@yumadapaka]

You just saved me some money! Thank you!

[@thehonestguitarist6543]

Excellent and to the point! Thank you.

[@JEL5150]

Thanks for the video. Really great.

[@weareelectricgi]

Awesome! very simple to understand

[@stephenpemberton311]

Great video, very useful and easy to follow

[@MrPrincebass99]

Great video on the subject. Thank you very much!

[@Demosthenes84]

Very clever. I may try this

[@canartsan4266]

Greatly helpful, thank you!

[@zaganfallenengel]

Great explanation, good I have just stumbled upon this channel, is great... Thanks

[@doglove38]

Good practical stuff w/o the expensive tools.

[@jorgelozadamusic]

Loved the video! I never thought you could use simple tools for this job 😮

[@ServingMyJesus]

Thank you sir for this video. Like others have said, you have made this plain and simple without unnecessary waffling. My bassis buzzing at the 12th fret only and was wondering how to file down the offending fret. Thank you so much for your lesson.

[@tjsogmc]

Simple and easy to follow tutorial. There is no reason you can't do this at home! I would recommend buying a crowning file (you can get them on Amazon for about $25) and save yourself a lot of extra work and headaches. Everything else you can get from any local hardware store.

[@Nate-gh1hy]

Very nice informative video. Thanks for sharing this.

[@mikepawlikguitar]

Hallo Fabian, ich wollte danke sagen, für das tolle Video. Ich fahre jetzt nach Canadian Tire um mir die notwendigen Sachen zu besorgen Im pretty confident I can do this. Thank you so much!

[@MrP3GL3G]

That was awesome, thank you so much for sharing.

[@fluxahelmi]

Straight and to the point,thanks👍