How to Install Frets on a Bound Fingerboard

Installing frets on a bound fingerboard has a few extra steps. In this video Erick Coleman refrets his 1970's Gibson Les Paul and shows every step in how to properly prepare the frets for installation onto a bound fingerboard.
0:00 Introduction
0:27 Bound vs. unbound fingerboard
0:54 Removing the old frets
2:45 Cleaning the fret slots
4:00 Check the depth of the slots
4:51 Checking the fretwire fit
6:09 Radiusing, sizing and trimming the fret wire for installation
7:43 Cutting and filing the tangs
12:44 Installing and gluing the frets
17:32 Leveling
17:44 Trimming the ends
18:13 Filing and beveling the fret ends
19:25 Crowning, end dressing and polishing the new frets
Items used in this video:
StewMac Deluxe Fret Tang Nippers
www.stewmac.com/item/2257
StewMac Cryowire
www.stewmac.com/item/0141-C
StewMac Centered Z-File
www.stewmac.com/item/5080
Jaws Fret Press
www.stewmac.com/item/4431
Japanese Fret Slot Cleaning Saw
www.stewmac.com/item/3615
Deadblow Fretting Hammer
www.stewmac.com/item/1296
StewMac Precision Fret Puller
www.stewmac.com/item/1636
Fret Slot Depth Gauge
www.stewmac.com/item/5435
FretBender
www.stewmac.com/item/0350
StewMac Fret Cutter
www.stewmac.com/item/0619
Nut and Saddle Shaping Files
www.stewmac.com/item/4556
Fret End Dressing File
www.stewmac.com/item/1175
Snapfile Leveling System
www.stewmac.com/item/2256
StewMac Fret Heater
www.stewmac.com/item/4550
Fret Slot Cleaning Tool
www.stewmac.com/item/4870
StewMac #10 Thin Super Glue
www.stewmac.com/item/0010
StewMac Brush-on Accelerator for Super Glue
www.stewmac.com/item/7013
Aluminum Radius-sanding Beam
www.stewmac.com/item/15661
3M Flexible Polishing Papers
www.stewmac.com/item/6040
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StewMac has everything you need to set up, repair or build guitars.
Everything is 100% guaranteed. Fast worldwide shipping.
Shop StewMac: www.stewmac.com
Facebook: / stewmac
Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

[@stewmac]

People have been asking us to make this video for a while! Glad to see you like it. 🎸❤️

[@hkguitar1984]

Thanks for the content and instruction, very much appreciated.

[@gefenguitars]

Exactly what I needed to see, after I purchased the Deluxe Fret Tang Nipper I was told it would not work with Radius, now I see it does, thank you very much

[@ramencurry6672]

Eric and Dan are gods. Some of the best stuff on KZbin

[@robertkidd6270]

Funny how every refret on KZbin for les pauls always take the nibs off the binding or cut through the binding and fret upto to edge devaluing the guitar and what do know ...another disappointment. What a let down

[@mrbigg7255]

@@bobbiehart39 probably because there is an worker shortage because people are riding the unemployment and using Covid as an excuse to be a lazy freeloader and not work.

[@cooperarbogast4018]

A 20 minute fretting video with Eric? This is exactly what we needed

[@ramencurry6672]

He’s a master

[@davidparr3773]

20 minute video huh you're funny ask him how many hours it took to do the whole refret from start to finish and then ask him how much he would charge for that go on ask him

[@DJ_Mooster]

@@davidparr3773 Dude what?

[@miromax811]

I really missed these guitar maintenance videos.

[@doctorbarber1]

Our boy Erick Eazy-E Coleman looking spry and healthy

[@madgeniusmusic]

I loved the longer video, and Erick has lost A LOAD of weight, looking very good sir.

[@mackk123]

water is the key to life. drink lots.

[@Krullmatic]

His hair is way long now as well.

[@theajthomas]

It is so good to have these videos back - I really missed them!

[@stewmac]

Glad you like them!

[@ramencurry6672]

I could listen to Eric or Dan all day,. They could talk about anything. What they ate for lunch. Their voices relax me.

[@voodoochili12]

Love the long form video - more of these please!

[@stewmac]

Noted!

[@J.C...]

20 mins isn't long form?

[@RiffsAndBeards]

I like Grateful Dead Eric.

[@notalkguitarampplug-insrev784]

Wow lost some weight, very nice!!! Congratulations, I did the same (lost 10 kg) and never felt so good! Cheers

[@dieselsk8]

Hell yeah!

[@peachmelba1000]

He really slimmed down. That's great.

[@scottdunn2178]

I'm just Greatful they're Dead...

[@jayadams2104]

Ily fluff

[@roughcutguitars]

Every second is pure gold. This is why when you find a tech you like, you don't ask how much for a refret. You just don't. :-)

[@Mephilis78]

Well, you eventually have to know.

[@roughcutguitars]

​@Mephilis78 I like to just hand over the cc, turn around, and check out the other guitars in the shop. 😀

[@El_Cacto]

I'm amazed at the amount of work put, and the results pay off.

[@miromax811]

Damn, I was really looking forward for the fretboard cleaning part.

[@Ibaneddie76]

@@drakey27 Samezeees!

[@stewmac]

The most boring part! Erick used a selection of mini scrapers and a razor knife for the job. We're working on a new video series that will cover cleaning up the board after a super glue refret. Stay tuned!

[@ibm_businessman6033]

@@stewmac heck yea

[@fat-hand]

@@stewmac great! I too was hoping to see what materials (naptha? Tack cloth?) were used and how. I would also like to know which Z file he used and why. Awesome video!! Thanks!!

[@TetraShot]

Man, this was so well explained, well shot, and very concise. I learned WAY more than I expected and was engaged the whole time. Nice video!

[@neckjig1]

What a joy to watch. Best fretting video on the internet, no question.

[@spkay31]

Eric, you're the man. Thank you so much for that very thorough and nicely paced video. You take the time to explain the important details which makes so that a DIYer can hopefully avoid the most common pitfalls.

[@mikemclenison8200]

I'm a machinist. This is the best tutorial I've seen on topic. Great job! Thanks!

[@Erick.Coleman]

I appreciate your comment, thank you! Machinists can be the most critical of craftspeople.

[@tonyadams6985]

Thanks! I've been a customer for several years now, and it's in a sense, comforting to see these important topics renewed!

[@alpenglow4243]

These are exactly the kind of videos I enjoy watching on this channel. Real useful maintenance stuff.

[@AgimLubonja]

One of the best if not the best video about fret replacement on a Gibson LP guitar.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

Hey, Erick grew his hair out! I like it! I was watching some of your 6 year old ones yesterday on pots and another on changing tuners then saw this one. Nice upgrade!

[@Erick.Coleman]

I had to get back to my roots!🤣🤣

[@sam127001]

Really appreciate the detailed look at this process !

[@Hi.Im.Levi.]

Love Erick’s videos. He looks different !

[@howarddahlberg5617]

Thanks Eric! I always find a tidbit of information in your videos that helps me take my work to a higher level.

[@sgt.thundercok4704]

One of the best things about these videos is seeing so many of the 'right tool for the job'.

[@StealthySpace7]

I quite literally did not recognize him after all the weight loss. Absolutely well done.

[@fdre3wsd]

I'm never going to do that to my guitars, but I watched anyways. One of my favorite channels.

[@fugalibrana]

Wow. That's one of the best works I've seen in years. Thanks for sharing!

[@acousticcoyote2362]

That was a great refret video. Very informative. Thanks guys.

[@YouTubeHandlesAreMoronic]

Beautiful job. Thanks for the informative and relaxing video!

[@ashleyhunter3300]

Very timely! Just getting ready to fret my new build with a bound board! Love your repair and maintenance videos!

[@stewmac]

Good luck Ashley!

[@ToneShapers]

Very nicely presented Erick, great job!

[@gw2031]

Superb ,so many mysteries solved ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge, greatly appreciated!

[@NGH99999]

Stellar video, all around. Great work, great host, great info, and great camera work and visual graphics.

[@KaijuAlert]

Beautiful work. Also, I cant be the only one who finds these StewMac videos to be deeply relaxing. There is just something so satisfying abobt watching masters at work. The lighting, audio, camerawork and editing is excellent too.

[@jeffreylarson8533]

Great to see You Back! Rock On!

[@scottmulrooney3130]

Fantastic video! Coleman is the man! Looking fabulous too!

[@1Dave0Mustaine1]

You look great Eric! And what an incredible video, as always, thank you guys!

[@sdr50]

Very useful; very timely, as well. Thank you. Sam

[@markhoward2051]

So freaking good, lot of explaining and very well explained. You are awesome!

[@eddiejr540]

Fantastic video....great job guys!!!

[@Marshall-uy2dv]

Very good info in this video!I have an Ibanez pf 200 needing a refret,i'm glad I watched this before I get started on it!Thanks for this one,great information!

[@garrettbaker2320]

Great production and really informative.

[@johnsalaman503]

Great job,nice to have all those specialty tools in the shop,,Erik looking good too,,rock on.

[@Ginanity]

Nice workshop! Great video!

[@jsullivan2112]

This is an absolutely terrific video. I've learned so much and I'm only 6 minutes into it. That dogleg trick is critical, I will definitely be using it when I finally take the plunge to refret the old Ibanez.

[@travis02gt]

Very nice quality job.

[@statmagic]

Love it! Great video. Thanks Eric!

[@woairanmoreira5749]

Exactly what I looking for. Thanks a lot !

[@FranziKoe]

Have fun getting these frets out for the next refret

[@craigb7967]

Awesome work

[@mxaxe5591]

These videos are awesome. Very, very helpful. Please keep them coming.🤘🤘🤘🤘

[@SuperWave86]

Super detailed and awesome to see

[@olleheed]

This is awesome! More please!

[@santiagocolina]

looking good erik!

[@TheyBeingMyBand]

This was awesome, well shot and edited too.

[@matthewjaymz]

Thank you for this! You guys are always the best 🙂

[@surfgod509]

Excellent fix with that binding still installed 👍 👏 👌

[@RasCuban33]

I redid my Kramer neck with Dan’s video and now I can attempt my Gibson’s with this one, thank you sir!

[@madihumadi2890]

Beautiful job 👍

[@leejabali4670]

Great work my friend keeps it good

[@randyzydowicz9405]

I loved the video! Leaned a lot!

[@Dudeitsmeee]

This is the StewMac I know and love. More of these videos please! And choose some interesting jobs/guitars like Dan used to do!

[@nkdms.2031]

Even if some of the tools are overkill or redundant the video is awesome. Thank you; please make more! :)

[@jamesfeldman4234]

Beautiful. Like watching the Antonio Stradivari of guitars at work.

[@Guttalaser]

Best refretting video on the web! Period!

[@petedazer3381]

Very nice presentation, thank you!

[@DocRockBaby]

Erick you're an absolute legend and your shop is spotless, lovin' your neck-jig when I got mine off you guys it was the older wooden one, still works perfectly as does all the tools I got from you, can't believe how clean your shop is 😂😂 take care and stay safe, peace and love to you from Ireland brother man ✌️❤️🇮🇪🍀

[@Ottavisrepairs]

So thorough thanks Eric

[@RobMods]

Great video as usual!

[@east83music]

was waiting a long time for this one..thanks dan! 🤙🏽🤙🏽

[@VladCotrus]

Wonderful! Thanks! Keep them coming!

[@stewmac]

Will do!

[@terrysmith8714]

Fantastic video and info. Thank you. Cheers

[@yettielusive3370]

This is really a great video

[@profoundpronoun4712]

Awesome video guys!!!

[@stewmac]

Thanks Beau!

[@RETCHED-METAL]

Awesome stuff!!!!!!!

[@davechapman7735]

Brilliant work, thanks for sharing. cheers NZ

[@PeteEllson5656]

Great video. Exactly what I needed. Got a '78 Les Paul with rounded over binding that I want to refret and wasn't sure how to handle it. Thanks Eric. It's good to see you again and you're looking good. Also, as always you're videos are awesome! Thanks.

[@stewmac]

Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you!

[@alandust2188]

Hey, not just another good one but a great one. Hope to see more of this caliper. Thanks!

[@stewmac]

Thanks Alan!

[@MrDfansler]

Great clip as usual!

[@stewmac]

Thanks so much!

[@garryyoung8945]

That was really interesting. Thank you.

[@oscarespert347]

Looking good , Erick!

[@tjdjultima]

The attention to detail is great! Good work ain’t cheap and cheap work ain’t good

[@dieselsk8]

Great job!

[@dwcleary8694]

Awesome video, tons of good info packed into a very short space. Now I have to decide whether to buy more tools or just send the job to you guys.

[@djefferson5669]

Brilliant content as expected from Erick. What wasn't expected is to see Erick down about 50#. Hoping it was diet and excersize and not the results of any health issues! Please let us know Erick!

[@stewmac]

Erick is healthy and doing great!

[@Erick.Coleman]

Hey, yes! Healthier than I have ever been in my adult life! And thank you for the kind words about my work!

[@GJP1169]

Great video very informative

[@toneconsultant]

That was fun to follow

[@meldeer6253]

id realy like to have my fret board fixed by you Eric top notch i see why the tool cost so much iv built a lot of instrumints and these tools would of made my work a lot easer thank you excellent work

[@staffansvahn]

Thank you. I truly appreciate it. Best wishes

[@vondenballs]

That's a lot of work. Impressive.

[@vyacheslavkoretzky]

amazing job has been done there

[@flashbak01]

Nice video, thanks!

[@bernhardnizynski4403]

Great tutorial!

[@MrVulcanbomber]

Awesome, fantastic 😍

[@Sundlofmusicalengineering]

Great video!

[@stephenchow5161]

so thorough. lots of pearls.

[@guitarhobbywithdannythemedic]

Wow worth every penny!!

[@drew2dee2]

the new stewmac set looks so good

[@edcowles6414]

Man, Eric does good work.

[@stewmac]

No doubt!

[@AdamBrownMods]

Erick... Thank you man!

[@umapessoa6051]

Thank you for this video.

[@stewmac]

Happy to do it! Glad it was useful.