How To Fix Sharp Fret Ends

[@p.a.tscherenkow352]

I recently filed the fret ends of a cheap guitar myself, which cost me less than 2 € and 5 minutes of work: Buy a nail file which is not made from metal but from glass; those files usually have a thickness of around 3 to four millimetres. Then carefully file off the sharp edges with the smallest side of the nail file using just the tip of it. If you don't haste, then you don't even need to use tape to protect the fretboard.

[@shreepadgandhi6739]

Hi. That sounds interesting. Do you mean to say the glass file used by ladies for manicure? Thanks in advance.

[@brunolevasseur]

I am taking occasion to say, about you american guys, to share so much tricks to work and manage alright . Not the same in France, where each guy tends to not share their skills (Oh no, I want to stay in my "bubble" !). However very nice trick , I've experimented it lastly on my Flying V and it works very fine! Greetings from France!

[@senseiruss]

This tutorial is awesome! I followed your steps and advice and was able to completely transform the feel on the neck of my Squier Telelcaster. It's now totally sprout-less and the comfort level of playing in it perfect! Thanks so much for sharing this, Phillip!

[@XciteMike]

It says a lot about you in how willing you are to teach your tools of the trade for the sake of teaching and sharing your enthusiasm. Keep it up!

[@tomminet]

Thank you so much, Phil. Although I've played guitar for decades, I've always been nervous about undertaking these kinds of things and end up taking my guitars to a tech. This video did two things: first, it helped me overcome that fear by demystifying things; and, second, it told me everything I needed to know. I had the right tools for the job, too, and that helped. The results couldn't have been better. Thanks again!

[@antmax]

Thanks for the tape fret end trick. A very nice way to file the ends quickly without worrying about the binding or fretboard edge as much. Wouldn't have thought of it on my own and haven't seen it done that way elsewhere.

[@LetsTalkAboutMathRock]

Phil's walk-in entrance to this video was ligit. Excellent video as always!

[@cdmracing]

I just bought a kit guitar and have been watching a ton of “how to” videos. This is the best fret filing video I have seen yet. Great close ups and descriptions of how to hold the file and how much pressure to apply. Thanks for the video!

[@EXIT4ERICH]

Thumbs up if you noticed Phillips weight loss. Keep it going Phillip !

[@BrianSGuitars]

Yeah looking good Phil!

[@yosserhughes9100]

I'm just wondering if "stu mack" sells under-ware? I heard through the grape-vine they sell everything?!

[@dreamspheree]

i was just watching this videos and i follow phililp, i have to do some fret work so i went back older videos. and i was thinking damn he was slimmer 2 years ago

[@TheLowest]

@@alexcorona lol calm down tubby

[@AlbusBand]

The sanding through painters tape is genius!!!

[@yosserhughes9100]

Ingenious! A great idea based on ingenuity (someone's "genius")

[@RocknJazzer]

gums up sandpaper tho, and to be truly flush would have to sand thru to fingerboard also

[@Jihadbearzwithgunz]

@@RocknJazzer why you use the file for that and not sand paper then clean the file afterwards of course

[@charlesmerfeld2988]

I'm guessing you could probably file after with it still on

[@frankiestephenson5729]

Worked perfect for me on my new bass that was shredding me up!!! Thanks for the tip!!

[@mrjohnp555]

I never saw the filing through the tape trick before, great idea...

[@SteveMavronis]

I like your tape technique. I have a 2-1/2 month old Harley Benton TE-20 HH SBK tele style guitar in all satin black including the neck and fretboard. I live in Maryland and just noticed fret sprout actually pushing through the neck finish on the sides! I can't really send it back because I modded and upgraded all the hardware and electronics and got it sounding really good now after a lot of work. I think this tape trick will help me remove as little of the matte black finish around the fret tangs as possible. There will still be some paint touch up work to do at the severe fret sprouts that is beginning to chip the finish since it appears they painted over the fret tangs.

[@kerigregory7664]

Please a little more in depth on dealing with the finishes that bubble and get pushed out by the sprout? Your awsome, and you've showed me so much thank you for letting us pick your brain ha ha. Have a great day!

[@williamwagnon2809]

Great video!! I'd like to see more like this. Great job!!

[@MrBurtonPE]

Is the concave StewMac file worth the 50 dollars over this 15 one??

[@marinevet7273]

Can you add links to the bigger wood tool, is that a fret leveler?

[@FartsInTanks]

8:35 The Bob Ross of Guitar, almost expected to hear: ‘Happy Little Fret Ends, Happy Little Fret Ends here’... 😉

[@kjmdrumz3]

Keith “Let’s make him a happy little fret end friend right next to him”

[@joeseymour4073]

😂

[@xxz7935]

Thanks.just did my first fret sprout correction followed your instructions using painters tape and files you recommended.I bought a Monoprice strat.frets were so sharp they actually cut my fingers. Your method worked great and now guitar very playable.thanks Jerry

[@Tc-xh6lr]

Thank you for this! I have an Ibanez Prestige that developed some REALLY sharp fret sprout, to the point I had stopped playing it for quite a while. All it took was the sanding down the side with the painters tape to get rid of it all, and now it feels like I have a NGD from not playing it for so long!

[@vinnieirvine1365]

Great video. I used my normal fret level block and started with much more coarse sandpaper than I’d use for a fret level, after watching this. I wasn’t sure how to deal with quite bad fret sprout before as I’ve never had it happen until this one guitar. It was done in minutes. Thanks

[@JohnnyBeane]

I've had a few guitars that have had Fret Sprout. Scratches your hand up. Thanks Phillip!!!

[@chrisclassical7]

really great video, thank you for sharing

[@HighlineGuitars]

Definitely, the way to do it if you want to desprout fast and reliably. When you refret, nip the tangs and plug the slot ends with wood dust and CA glue or if there's binding, use some binding scraps mixed with acetone.

[@stevee_sunset]

great video! Is there a link to the fret file you use?

[@andy_182]

damn if only you made this a few weeks ago god dang,

[@FlyOnTheMoon.]

Thanks, Phillip. I've learned a lot from you, and I appreciate your sharing of knowledge with us.

[@david_farmer]

Hey Phillip - thanks for this video. I just bought a guitar whose frets are so sharp I'm actually scared to play it. I was running my fingers over it and got a huge snag. Anyway, if you get a sec to refresh your links to the files you're using, many thanks! The Sweetwater one just takes us to Sweetwater. I'm especially interested in that first one you used as well as the one with the rounded back.

[@jimmybusk]

About the nail file grit.... Did he say 12,000 ,or did he mean 1200

[@ampegloud]

I've seen a lot of videos on KZbin this is got to be the best no Babaling no background music no stupid sayings no jokes straight out professionally and in formative thumbs up to you

[@rstevenhanson]

Slow and steady . . . easier said than done, but so necessary! Great video!

[@barry3045]

My fenders fret sprout gave me diarrhea

[@murkish]

Thanks for the in depth video! Gonna be picking up some files now

[@DavidLozano]

I watched this instead of the rest of the live feed.

[@carlosegtrs5308]

Been working on guitars and feels good that I am doing similir work that you just demonstrate.

[@the_inspired_one]

I’ve never attempted to do any guitar repair work. I watched your video review of fret polishing tools and now this….and I’m feeling confident to give it a go on a cheap guitar to eventually be able to repair my dads old acoustic which actually cut my hand. Now my niece has a guitar but my dad bought it and I haven’t seen it, no telling how it plays! But I love him and he means well. I’d like to do some cool uncle stuff for my niece and for belated Father’s Day to get them both playing guitar without cutting their hands.Appreciate your teaching style and showing us how to hold the files and how to put pressure and then explaining how important temperament is to do quality work!

[@TheGuitarPit]

Perfect timing, thanks Phil. I was using my little fret file thing slightly wrong and pushing far too hard.

[@harlescooper3602]

Awesome! I have feeling I will need to do this, after I move to arizona from Washington state. Thanks so much for this tip !

[@dalepal]

It’s that time of year when here on the northeast everything dries out and there is a chance of having to deal with fret sprout. I like the idea of the painters tape over the top and sanding through it to protect the areas you don’t want to damage.

[@donclemento4452]

What guitar is that? really cool

[@Grandpa.Dan8881]

Thanks Phill, Nice job. Keep them coming...

[@genisphyla]

Where you get that big file bro ?

[@GigiHabibi]

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. My hands were really hurting! 💐

[@livergen]

Thank You Phillip, You are such a good Teacher...! You share so very much solid info & your personaly truly is one-in-a-million, your a good guy brother...Thank You again..

[@davevodicka4125]

That looks so easy, thanks! I dropped off one of my guitars to my luthier a few weeks back for this exact problem. Wish I would have seen this before! I will do this myself next time. Thank you Phillip.

[@tolerbearALTII]

Can we say patience? Lol. Good info dude. I'm trying to gather the courage to do my favorite two guitars. Ugh. I'm more worried about chipping though. This video shows me how to finish my first fret job. It was a kit guitar that I had to put frets on. I've tried refrets before and the fretboard chipped a bit.

[@phreak1118]

9:02 Looks like Chappers is starting to go to your barber Phil!

[@JF-em6hr]

It's be nice if they had all these tools in one kit. The "Philip McKnight" kit. I guess it's not that hard to individually add these to my cart at Stew Mac.

[@harryklippton]

This was unbelievably helpful and informative. Thanks Phil!

[@richpeltrick1492]

Great instruction Philip! I feel much less intimidated to attempt this. Just need the right tools. Thanks!

[@ebikes2xs159]

Phil is a master at showing you how it's done and just as important makes you feel like you can do this. I remember my first truss rod adjustment; I fully expected the neck to explode, a fret to fly off and put my eye out.

[@mitchpalmer5116]

I was playing a Les Paul Standard LONG before Slash was. I just didn't get famous for it.....😃

[@robertlowryjr]

This is by far the most clear and detailed and practical video I've seen on this subject. I love how you showed how safe the tools are. And I also very much appreciate the remark about slowing down, and if we don't have that type of patience we shouldn't be working on guitar. I can apply that to working on cars or relationships really anything. Thank you for your time!

[@lorenvguitar614]

Excellent video, I appreciate the no-nonsense approach to the great work that you do. No silly or stupid jokes or tasteless of color humor. Thank you for the professional advice, well done indeed.

[@ModernGuitartech]

you can also use the curve on the bastard file and a triangle file with one side sanded. probably $20 investment if you cant afford the stewmac stuff

[@Christbearer57]

Modern Guitartech wth is a bastard file?

[@joshualoveless20]

Cuticle file! You're a genius!

[@davewalton7401]

I recently did a couple of my guitars. My Stratocoustic,which I recently purchased from an individual, had horrible fret sprout. My Jackson needed a good polishing. Night and day difference. Of course this is not a quick process. Both guitars took me about 4 hours total. This included taking breaks. I also gave each neck a good oil and cleaned and polished the body,headstock,and pickups. But I saved myself quite a bit of $$ as well as increasing my knowledge and ability.

[@BrianSGuitars]

I need this done on one of my guitars, and now thanks to this I'm just going to do it myself! Thanks!

[@casperboo5465]

As always very helpful and great advice, Thank You so much Phill, and thank You for Your Time, Cheers

[@WW-1995]

You can do it faster with sandpapers

[@TomOudam]

I wonder why this FretGuru Ultimate Fret End File 2 is more expensive than the StewMac.

[@MilianMalivukMusic]

The name of the series is a bit ironic though.

[@nitroxylictv]

My new Schecter CR6 has some fret sprout and a little buzzing but its nothing too bad. Definitely not as bad as my Squier. Thanks for the help!

[@MartinMCade]

Is there a point where the sprout is so bad that you would want to use a beveling file? I have a cheap guitar (Xaviere, from GuitarFetish), that has huge fret sprout after moving to Colorado and and spending a winter in the mountains. I want to use this cheap guitar for practice before I work on nice guitars like PRS, Martin, Fender, etc. Thanks!

[@chrischan8961]

Thanks mate for sharing your video. I appreciate it.

[@RobRyanandTheRamble]

Remember to guickly tape off pickups. Magnets and fret filings don't mix. Sort of. Well I guess they do, but not nicely. 😆

[@holdenwill]

What the heck guitar is that? Steel Wool!!!

[@blkjakk]

Those 3 or 4 way nail files are at Sally beauty supply. I’ve been buying them for years!

[@mattelder9147]

Thanks Phillip. Just ordered the tools to spruce up a recently acquired guitar. Will practice on the kids' squire mini first.

[@sondrag2]

used glass file ( for dog nails) painters tape..and also lightly sanded the fretboard..OMG..this went from a ebay sale..to a keeper..the shop wanted $115 . took 5 mins

[@AFWeather]

Thanks for the instruction and high detail! Gives me confidence to try it myself. With that binding on the fret board, how would you round the fret board edges a bit to give it the played feel?

[@SingleMaltDrinker]

Kauerguitars is testing CNC beveling of fret ends. I imagine it is feasible for manufacturing a neck with known dimensions. In order to be useful for correcting fret sprout, I suppose some kind of automated measurement of the neck profile would have to happen, a la PLEK, so that the fret sprout could be cut away before beveling or even round the ends.

[@che2335]

Wish i had this vid in 1992 when I thought buying an expensive Gibson LP studio would be top quality. That thing poked me till I sold it in 2002

[@stebly7]

Thanks Phillip, this is very good info and technique to know, as I'm sure that most players of fretted instruments have run into "sprouting" at one time or another.

[@Clabian96]

What is the name of the thin painter's tape you use? Brand and model... I tried regular painter's tape and it just didn't work out very well.

[@al23x56]

Can you "roll" bound necks? E.g. if I wanted to go over fret ends with a sanding sponge at 45 degree angle, without taping over the binding - would that work?

[@jasonkesser]

Ohhhp. We got another one. It’s “be wary”. Not “be weary”. You’re telling people to be tired.

[@JenuineAirbrushTan]

Great video! Where can I find that wood file online? I have the small file but I definitely need that wood handled file to start. I’ve been missing playing because the frets were so sharp. Cheers ☕️ 🎸

[@jasonshermandds6034]

Thank you for the very helpful lesson, Phil.

[@robertlowryjr]

I've watched this great video a couple times, and heard him say the their would be specific links to the tools. I'm finding vendo links but struggling to find the sane one he's using. Can someone please help?

[@ckaras100]

Hey Philip, My guitar doesn’t have binding and the little nib that secures the fret to the wood is also sticking out. How can I correct that? Best, Ck

[@dalemullen96]

Because the close ups of the finishing file are somewhat blurry, could you elaborate on its exact shape and just how the file is used when filing the fret ends (which part of the file is actually contacting the edges of the fret)? Thank you for any clarification and the useful information...

[@thatdamnkid89]

Those three sided nail file …they are like foam material . These have “remove ridges” “ Smooth” and “polish”. Once you get done with the initial knock down and filing, use one of these …man they will come out smoooooth…

[@mariosantamaria292]

What kind of guitar is he using?

[@sonnyblu6299]

I need to dress new frets on a "heavily rolled" old Charvel fingerboard. I want the frets to match the contour of the fingerboard like they were originally. - Is that when you would use the first beveling files you showed? OR Would you just go at a sight angle with your favorite file?

[@miguelon56]

Which 6" Stew Mac file are you using of the sharp fret ends, the Fingerboard leveling or the fret leveling file. One is a crosshatch type file and the other just has diagonal blades going one direction?

[@WalterStoermer]

This is a good tutorial. I made the mistake of over-rounding the ends. I ordered a new neck (stew mac).... Oi!

[@danielsoucy6688]

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH! tHE SMALL FILL THING IS AWESOME! AND YOUR RIGHT! PATIENCE AND MOVING SLOW MAKE THE PAY!

[@ChrisBrown-oo4bf]

where do you get that large wooden file near the beginning of the vid? I don't see it in the products used. Thanks for the help.

[@arthurride5610]

phil,although i find guitar a bit painful,i always enjoy your vids,i find your nice way is very friendly and you have a good grasp of the subject,and watching you is always something that i enjoy to chill out to,thanks for all your output mate,well done

[@AlexHand]

Can you post a link to the files? I don't think you mentioned what grit you like for the flat one with the wood handle.

[@fluorophoremusic3679]

IS there any issue with just using a small piece of sandpaper--maybe a grit comparable to the nail file, and just carefully rubbing the sharp ends one at a time?

[@streamofconsciousness5826]

"If you are the type of person who can't go slow you better get someone else to do this" Yeah, you get one chance to do this with a set neck Guitar, it's better to "half do it" and to go back to refine the job when changing to the next set of strings than to over do it and need a new Guitar or a fret job. Also it gives you time to think about as see while playing how much that file took off, and estimate the next round. This is your Baby, make it as fine a instrument as you can.

[@bobgausman1127]

Great video Phil, I already have the tools, nice to see how to properly use them.

[@M3ntok]

Great video, I now feel like I can do this myself. Thanks Phil!

[@BILLYBOBSTUNES]

Thanks again for the Great tips Phil.....Just beautiful from camera to telling us about the light pressure tips Love It !!! Thanks for helping us Know Our Gear man !!! have a great da man !!!

[@wadeteach]

I literally just bought that same stewmac file after watching this video. I have 5 guitars that need this treatment.

[@Chuck-Steak]

If you notice this on an instrument you find at a music store, is fret sprout something the store is obligated to correct for free as part of a basic setup? Also, spending several minutes on each fret end makes it apparent that you could kill a full day just smoothing out your ends...

[@thetonekingofficial]

great video!

[@stonkpuppets6393]

I have a pos FirstAct that I’m going to practice on before I try it on my Gibson SG Thank you