I am a Luthier EP6 - Tokai Tele with serious fret wear - Mike's Guitar Workshop

[@chipcaronte]

"Don't try this at home" he says... Why you think I'm watching this for? Hahaha... Part of the learning process is the practice.

[@dr_3vo]

Exactly xD, did you manage to fix the guitar??

[@chipcaronte]

​@@dr_3vo yes, I did. Thank you very much. Frets were deeply worn out, so I balanced them, crowned them, end-dressed them and buffed them... Bends are a sweet thing to do now!

[@RogerioDuarte]

Yeah its obviously I will try 😂

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

Find some old cheap guitars to practice your refretting skills,then do it on your guitar

[@travelthebest2676]

This guy knows what he’s doing. We need more techs like him

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

MANY thanks

[@napomania]

One of the best video out there. It's nice to see people knowing what that doing and let people see how they did it

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Many thanks for watching

[@megagatvol]

Interesting…. I would eventually decide to refret with stainless steel frets.

[@CC-te5zf]

Nice work - that fret crown is spot on! Beautiful!

[@hausf.kartreit1111]

That's quite a divit for 2 years of playing. Nice call🖖🤓🏈

[@j_freed]

You can prevent rapid wear by keeping frets shiny and free of rough areas. Various materials to polish frets include 0000 steel wool, jeweler’s rouge and Fret Eraser wipes..

[@Dastardly_X]

I like 3inch wool pad

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

This chap is a player, not a guitar tech so he plays until it plays no more

[@Theintruder100]

Fantastic wish i could spend a week with you and pick up just a tiny amount of your knowledge

[@edgyswordsmanmanga4051]

I think I definitely need to get one of my guitar’s frets replaced or seriously worked on, theres a lot of bends that die out and deep dents.

[@bigtorrisi]

1980's Japanese Tokais are about as good as you can get. The woods are spot on.

[@S2Sturges]

I have a 1983 Telecaster "BreezySound" I bought new from L&M in Vancouver ..$249 w/case.. Been a real workhorse over the years and still going strong..!

[@Bm23CC]

Or squier JVs.

[@S2Sturges]

@@Bm23CC Oh yeah, for sure.. the early Japanese build quality left the real ones for dead

[@stevecrocker6904]

@@Bm23CC: I have a Squier SQ series 1983 that is getting low in the frets ..... glad I found this vid

[@qjarman7753]

Good work my friend, you have given me the confidence to dive in and sort out some very badly worn frets… wish me luck 😊

[@curtiseverett1671]

don't crack up on us now!!!

[@robwillox7033]

I really like your neck support tool. Maybe a quick video to go over it.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Thanks for the idea! Pls see my latest video on the Yamah Pacifica

[@metalhead_1996]

I love the background music too haha, also love the fretwork mate!!

[@MikeJBlues]

Great video. I had to do that to my 96 Clapton Blackie. Had only one issue, tape lifted the lacquer off a few of the dots, I found that a light drop of super glue fixes that. A couple applications level it out.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Good stuff

[@carsgunsandguitars]

Great job. I would have replaced the frets but you made it work!

[@ramoneramlingam3723]

Nice work Mike, crowned beautiful

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Thank you kindly

[@edwardmcguigan1442]

I had a 1990 Tokai breezy sound the frets wore out in a matter of months very soft

[@evanwilliams8908]

This guy played a millimeter into his frets in two years, he’s going to be into the fretboard in another two years if you takeoff a millimeter. I had a guitar tech take this shortcut, in a year later I need to replace the frets. Most frets are only 2.0-2.4mm on the average guitar to start. That doesn’t leave much room to sand off. When you see deep dents it’s time to replace them if you have the time or money.

[@johnm3946]

Totally agree, should've replaced them with stainless frets for this shredder.

[@cjt6314]

I disagree, a common fret width is 2.0 - 2.4mm, but the average fret crown height is about 1.2mm. The highest I know of is Jescar super jumbo 58118 with a crown height of 1.47mm. I think Ibanez is about 1.3mm. I have never heard of a crown height of 2.0 - 2.4mm, it would be impossible to fret a chord in tune with frets that height, it would be like playing a heavily scalloped fret board.

[@graysaw]

I totally agree! That’s a string dent, needs replacement

[@martynridley3671]

There's something wrong with your maths or your ears. He measured the original fret height at 1.2mm and took it down to 1.0mm!

[@stevecrocker6904]

he played (damage depth) 0.2mm into his fret. I.E. 1/6th into the original fret height

[@rickster58]

Mike, very nice finish when you were done.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

many thanks

[@mrcoatsworth429]

Dude has been rocking that A power chord. I know that dent well haha.

[@joemcgraw5529]

very nice work saving the frets had same issue last week on a guitar ,I was able to save them but told the guy next time ill have to pull those 3 frets advised him to bring it back in 6 months for a fret dressing and recrowning ,recently bought fret erasers really like them they are made by rosco and cost 20 US dollars but not for everyone ,ill see how they hold up and let you know in a few moths but so far im liking them for polishing

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Thanks for watching :)

[@simonvanderheijden432]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev Why the irritating music Mike?

[@TempoDrift1480]

@@simonvanderheijden432 Why comment on someone else's shit?

[@nckhed]

@@TempoDrift1480 A lot of people find background music distracting. I didn't even notice it until it was pointed out. As far as people commenting on people's videos, that's sort of the entire point of KZbin. That's like asking why someone left a bad review on a product they don't like. Not every "negative" comment falls under the philosophy of, "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all." 🤷‍♂️

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Making all the frets low as the one with the problem to you is a nice work. Very smart! What can I say ?

[@TempoDrift1480]

I got an old cheap Yamaha acoustic triple-oh with several frets like that and for some reason they don't affect the playability one bit and it happens to be the only guitar I own that I haven't dressed the frets on. But damn it's a sweetheart.

[@mattiescreations]

My dad’s old Yamaha has some really bad ones and it doesn’t act like it too

[@fleadoggreen9062]

Great , leave it alone

[@timrussellguitar1516]

Hi Mike. I’m Tim from Tim Russell Guitar. I always am looking for other luthiers/ techs to possibly look for ideas and otherwise ways to accomplish repairs other than the way I do them. Thanks for doing what y’all do..

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Cool, thanks!

[@bodge6886]

I got this kind of fret wear on my Ovation custom, it’s not quite that deep but it’s going to need work soon as I play two hours a day for the past five years.

[@paranormaltheorist]

I'm in the same boat with mine. Ovations aren't known for having soft frets, are they?

[@willem9688]

I've been playing the shit out of my MIA Strat since 2004, frets on the lower register are pretty worn down but its still playing fine. Frets above the 12th do feel chunky, though.

[@ChrisHarrisWaco]

Nice video work, despite the dying camera. I really appreciate that time you took to show the work.

[@1000BrokenKeys]

great crowning file tool

[@bluzzjazz]

Final result looks good to me, not sure why all the criticism. There is plenty of fret height left and they are all nice and smooth now, what's not to like?

[@aniquinstark4347]

These folks would be flabbergasted if they ever saw a Gibson with Fretless Wonders.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Indeed, many thanks

[@curtiseverett1671]

I like that neck holder

[@jimdawson5299]

Question: if you lower the frets, do you lower the nut grooves too?

[@UAMartin7]

Nice video. But I would have just replace the 3 damaged frets and then level all the frets to the height of the lowest un-damaged fret. He just level all the frets to the lowest point of the damaged fret...effectively shorten the life span of all the undamaged frets. So now this guitar will probably need a complete re-fret job sooner rather than later.

[@anpleidhceeireannach9498]

No, because if the undamaged frets are further up the fingerboard than the damaged frets,then it will cause problems The undamaged frets must be closer to the nut than the damaged ones before the option you suggested can be considered

[@AuxesisHyperbole666]

My Tokai Jazz 'Oldie but Goldie' bass had the same fret problem after just a few months. Great guitar tho.

[@rickcurtis2983]

Great work...plenty of fret height left.

[@attilakovacs5803]

Hello Mike! Very nice video and beautifully executed fret job! I like your quiet manner and the music too! I've been watching your video because I'm in a similar situation. Bought a second hand guitar and the frets are a bit worn. I'm trying to decide what to do, a full refret, a partial refret or just leveling and crowning the frets. The frets are worn up to the seventh position, but even above that, the fret tops show signs of wear. Even the 12th fret has a flattened top on the bass side. The 10th, 11th and from the 13th up to the 20th are good. The frets are "medium" Jescar 51100, original crown height is 1.30 mm. The tallest frets on the fretboard tongue are 1.25 mm, but the first three frets are only 1.05-1.1 mm, measured on top the fret, outside the divots. I have no idea how deep those divots are, not very deep. It's a classical guitar and it's kinda interesting that there are shallow, wide divots under the nylon trebles just like under the wound basses. What would you do? I think these frets can accomodate a leveling and re-crowning, but I feel sorry for the 8 or 10 almost intact upper frets. I don't want to lose height if not absolutely necessary. At the same time even a partial refret would be a bigger job, considering that if I change the first three frets, I should change the others up to the 7th, 8th or 9th position, too. I think I'll just go for a simple leveling and re-crowning, and if I don't like the feel, or wear the frets down, I'll re-fret the whole fretboard with narrower frets, because the present ones are not my favourite type anyway. Do you think it's a good idea?

[@tumadsvids]

HI. If the frets are to low, which it will seem according to your measurements. The top is 1.1 and that excludes the divet you write. So once you level those, they might be at 0.8 and when you play, your finger tips will most likely be pressing against the actual fretboard. I believe in your case, a minimal refret is in order up to the good ones. Regards

[@lobsterwhisperer7932]

Dude really is into the d chord

[@gringogreen4719]

Nice jorb!☕

[@alandust2188]

Use CC and MUTE if you don't want to be distracted by the music.

[@briancarroll3541]

i need the same for a vintage acoustic i have. my question is, can i have it done without the shit-bird backing track?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Next videos for sure no music

[@oguzhanaldemir]

When you do this kind of work, what is the approximate life time of these frets now? Untill next dressing need or replacement

[@SkipjackStevens]

I like your cradle

[@Salixspp]

Mike - now that the frets are down to 1mm instead of 1.2, would you file the nut slots down 0.2mm as well for consistency? Or is this a non-issue. Thanks

[@tumadsvids]

I would file the nut slots accordingly yes. Thanks for watching

[@curtiseverett1671]

I need a really good long fret leveling file and a GOOD quality fret crowning file!

[@gangnamstylegrandpa6352]

Great video !

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@michaelbevins2405]

In my experance ,alot of times after the 1st fret dressing ,The guitar plays and feels better than it did when it was new,.Just do it rite .

[@mehAudio]

This sort of wear does NOT come from fretting. Only the open string has enough amplitude to cut into the fret wire this way. That string was very likely set up a little too low or played very hard over very long stretches of time. Steel strings will also increase wear.

[@matthunting1162]

I think the owner is definitely a candidate for some stainless steel frets

[@luisrepetto3345]

yeah he is... Im also a fret burner and I had to do it man... I try to get a lighter touch

[@willdenham]

How is it I buy a new Tokai LP type and it needs fret crowning due to buzz. Get it back and 5 months later, buzz in the same spot.

[@thanosp.8140]

Thanks for the video! Is replacing 3 frets that much harder than actually relevelling and recrowning the entire fretboard? Was it because of the maple finish?

[@spokes28]

As a method of repair to the grooved frets, would it be possible to put a drop of solder in the groove and then file that down even with the fret?

[@hangkaj]

I guess that tin solder would be way too soft.. for silver slder I dont know but maybe too hot for the wood ??

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Not really in the long term

[@onefatstratcat]

get out the tig welder :)

[@wernercolyn892]

@spokes28 🤣. I've been contemplating doing this myself for a while now. It might be genius, but it also might be the dumbest thing ever.

[@EricRabb]

I’m a newbie when it comes to fret repair, but my first Strat (Squire) has tall (oem) jumbo’s which I hate, they’re too high and require to much pressure. I definitely like the Tele Fender’s with the flat style of frets, how much would it cost to lower and flatten these frets so it has playability like a modern Tele? If I’m using incorrect language to describe the repair that I’d like, please excuse me. Like I said it’s my first Strat.

[@satanpuncher06]

Tall frets should be easier to play, but fret height doesn’t effect how hard you have to press the strings. I think you may be talking about the action (distance from strings to the frets) this is a much easier fix and adjusts by turning the small Allen key screws in the saddles. Chances are the nut sluts might be a little high as well. That might be something you leave to a pro but it should only cost a few bucks. If you really want to grind the frets down you’re probably talking about 100.00$ or so.

[@stevesmulski1462]

Benjamin Holladay Cheers dude! Thanks to you, I've just discovered my new band name - "THE NUT SLUTS" !!! 🤘

[@paxonearth]

Nice work. How did you get the fretboard to change to rosewood at 8:47 and then back to maple at 8:59?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

It was just to show a fret crowning procedure as I had forgotten to film that part on that guitar

[@paxonearth]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev ;)

[@libertynow]

Could you possibly tell us the brand of fret crowning tool? Is it commercially available or self made?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

www.desertcart.co.za/products/63779285-baroque-diamond-guitar-fret-crowning-dressing-file-narrow-medium-wide-3-edges-guitar-repairing-luthier-tools-improved-3rd-generation?gclid=CjwKCAiAwKyNBhBfEiwA_mrUMko8jKseQdmnlv1P0GBuF_pe9w3pXUePzF3C-LwmsMw0V6ronfpPjBoCT5IQAvD_BwE

[@rebelbhoy1888]

A few frets on mine looks like that man,

[@adhaskym.a9536]

If you file off a lot of material, you might as well re-fret the neck.

[@bradr8806]

should replace the 3 bad frets first

[@tumadsvids]

Why? I saved them at less cost.

[@stephenmcnutt1772]

Great job but s beginner I wasn't sure of all the steps you were doing. Did you file all the frets of the neck to balance with worn frets?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Yes I did kzbin.info/www/bejne/on6vnKeXiLCNm7s

[@Gavatron5000]

What tool are you using there to measure the fret height please?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

I just cut a negative card template and measured that. yes its not accurate but its close enough :)

[@jackflash5659]

Excellent work Mike. Just curious how much would this service cost?

[@theodorebraxton4509]

@Arlo Jon yea, have been watching on Flixzone for since november myself :)

[@jcoffeycup]

How did the owner wear down those frets so badly? Using a slide aggressively?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

VERY hard playing

[@rong648]

What gauge cables (strings) were he using?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

0.10

[@rong648]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev WOW, I didn't think .10 would cause that much wear.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

@@rong648 I cant guarantee that he always had those on 🤗🤗

[@jwilkinson341]

What brand fret crowning file do you have works great, I have a couple from China useless I guess you have to spend the money

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

www.desertcart.co.za/products/63779285-baroque-diamond-guitar-fret-crowning-dressing-file-narrow-medium-wide-3-edges-guitar-repairing-luthier-tools-improved-3rd-generation?gclid=CjwKCAiAwKyNBhBfEiwA_mrUMko8jKseQdmnlv1P0GBuF_pe9w3pXUePzF3C-LwmsMw0V6ronfpPjBoCT5IQAvD_BwE

[@Carlsings]

What is that tool you used to measure the frets? It looks like a caliper slide of some sort. Is there a certain kind that is better to use for guitar necks? I have a vintage Helios made in West Germany but it seems stuck and I know so little about these. Is it absolutely necessary or will other standard neck measuring tools work as well? P.S. was that a common shop metal file you used first before the long wood file w 600 grit on it? Did you adjust the neck truss to make the fret board completely flat? You used the entire long level to measure flatness of the frets,

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Hi I used a standard caliper, it was a standard metal file. Neck was completely flat at all times

[@Mikee535]

He called it a vernier

[@datajoe3843]

We still don't know how low the string action is after the job done.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

The same as it was before. Not sure that it is relevant?

[@pulidomi]

How to install fretsss?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

I will make a video shortly

[@pulidomi]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev good

[@federicosanzini2361]

Very accurate work! Man.. I have an answer for you. My strat has a compound radius 9.5 to 12. Honestly i dont like it. Is it possible to convert to a flat radius? What do you think about it? Thank you so much... I subscribed to your channel.

[@remingtonatcheson8106]

as long as there is enough fingerboard material you should be able to do that

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

It is possible but I wouldnt do that

[@rossmitson]

I think you'd be better off getting another neck - maybe do a swap with someone.

[@federicosanzini2361]

@@rossmitson The problem is that i love my guitar.... and i love the neck. Is a custom shop... i dont want to change parts honestly. I think i will accept this compound cause the tone is warm as i need!

[@persiaguitar]

All that work for just one dent? OH man

[@borgan1964]

Why couldent you just change the destroyed frets? i dont understand?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Because all the frets were low anyway

[@graysaw]

Looks like it been dropped face down, not normal fret wear, I would say string impact,

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Thats from playing bud, trust me

[@nickg8668]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev happened to my les Paul custom within the first year and a half. You are absolutely correct with the hard playing. 4 to 6 hours a day with constant hammer-on scale exercises . Needless to say, fingers were very strong ..

[@marzbitenhaussen]

how do you know if all the frets are perfectly leveled, when the guitar neck is not actually straight due the strings not exercising tension, do you measure every fret’s height independently?

[@Krashulka]

You adjust the truss rod if needed to make sure the neck is flat after removing the strings. You use a special tool to check, its like a metal straight edge ruler the length of the neck with cut outs to go over the frets, and allow it to sit flat on the fretboard.

[@bluesky6985]

That's what the tensioning rod is for

[@marzbitenhaussen]

@@bluesky6985 I know but, you mean you have to straight the neck without strings before doing this, how precise is that procedure, how much is the margin for errors?

[@bluesky6985]

@@marzbitenhaussen I'm assuming it needs to be flat then when the strings are on the tension rod flattens it back out but I'm not the authority

[@lone-wolf-1]

@@marzbitenhaussen The flattening of the fretboard by turning the truss rod (for loosening turn counterclock wise) before leveling the frets is absolutely necessary, and can be very precisely done at about less than 0,1mm error. Even an error of 0,2mm isn‘t a problem if dissipated on the whole length. After restringing and tuning to pitch, the neck has to be set again straight with the truss rod (tightening, turning clockwise)or with a very very small relief, because otherwise string tension pulls the headstock too much forwards.

[@caniswolf3394]

What causes this amount of wear to begin with? I've done several guitars similar to this and still don't know why this happens.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Just a lot of playing bud

[@caniswolf3394]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev I guess this is why so many are going to stainless steel .

[@voodoochili12]

At 5:06 you heavily file the first ~7 frets only. Doesn't that create an uneven fret height across the entirety of the board? Wouldn't you want to file fret material from the first and last fret? Regardless of using the longer filing beam in the subsequent step, that looks like you only went to the ~12th fret. I'm confused how this disparity in the fret heights would not create an extremely uneven fret height across the neck.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

I blended the subsequent files in the next step with the longer beam. Due to the fact that the neck will have some relief, it's all in the setup afterwards and that miniscule difference won't be felt or heard.

[@Tosicam_offical]

hi，can you help us do a review for our guitar fret crowing file on KZbin

[@mralgebro]

How does this happen? I’ve had guitars for over 10 years with no wear at all. Is it because of a certain playing style?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

VERY hard playing

[@wernercolyn892]

I have had quite a few cheap acoustic guitars in my life and never had fret wear. I bought myself another cheap Yamaha F310 a year ago and within 6 months I have wear like the frets in this video. I do play with a capo a lot, but still, I'm disappointed. I do set-ups myself, but will not take a chance with this and I figure it'll probably cost me the same as what I paid for the guitar to fix.

[@wernercolyn892]

Are you South African? If so, how much will it cost me to replace the first five frets on an acoustic?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Hi can you WhatsApp me pls. Regards.

[@raulgrangeiro]

A nice video! Could you make a sound with the instrument at the end?

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

I can try

[@gtrslinger6262]

Enjoyed video. But background music is annoying. I put in on mute and read closed caption. lol

[@keiththompson5193]

Why do videos have to have the annoying music?

[@robertbuilder8001]

It made the video completely unwatchable for me unfortunately.

[@martinosborne9821]

I agree it’s so distracting

[@tumadsvids]

'cmon, is so much in the bg, its hardly there..

[@Mikee535]

How much time did it take you to do that job? I think I could've done it faster without all the masking tape. Thanks. I like your fret crowning tool a lot, I bought some expensive ones from StewMac and they really don't have enough angle on the sides.

[@automofo71]

Good how to advice however the background music needs to go. It’s drowning out the lesson. Plus 80s metal of mode licks is was tired in the 90s.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

no music in the next videos I promise

[@BURN_SHITTUBE]

@@Mikes-tuts-rev What is it tho? it's good edit: i meant the metal song at the beginning

[@tumadsvids]

@@BURN_SHITTUBE Just from youtube free to use music

[@MOHANMSHARMA]

You have filed 4 upper freat only or I may missed, could not seen for rest of freat, how you managed the buzzing on lowwe freat by down our freat 1 mm, I think all 22 freat has to be down by 1 mm.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/on6vnKeXiLCNm7s

[@rootmanpoet]

A pity, the musicbackground is too annoying for me.

[@kingdwan6486]

Yep, I do recommend removing the distracting and annoying metal background music. Only then this video will be right.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

So he lower all the frets to the height of the bad one. This is the worst job I’ve seen in years and you people congratulate him. He made them all bad to save the bad one.😆😆

[@YesuAiNimen]

Well....the frets do have to be level. One could argue that he should have just replaced the frets, but you cannot file one down to remove divots without working on the other frets.

[@michaelkeudel8770]

@@YesuAiNimen you could just replace the damaged fret, and file 1 feet down to the level of the other frets.

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

@@YesuAiNimen he could just replaced one man. Or try the damn thing. If it plays good than it is good. It does not have to look perfect to play well. Nobody tries the instruments no more. We look to much at this instruments and play too little.👍

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

No, fret leveling is a standard procedure. All frets needed to be leveled in any case

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

No, fret leveling is a standard procedure. All frets needed to be leveled in any case

[@vintagepipesnightmares]

Luthiers make instruments. You just make them worse.

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Indeed, I certainly destroyed this guitar.. I should have just put a new neck on

[@arteCee]

that god awful background music..🙄 left after a min.

[@tumadsvids]

Thanks for adding to the conversation constructively.

[@madmad8582]

Fenders use real crappy frets , every fender i have played on has crappy frets that ware down real fast they are too soft , My Gibson has way stronger frets and don't seem to show any ware yet , so no Fenders are crap .

[@Mikes-tuts-rev]

Hi bud, except this is a Tokai :)

[@missanabiekeith]

The music is terrible

[@tumadsvids]

You needed to share that because? Press mute