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Checklist please...!

You find one of the best guides for doing a fret job here:

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-technical/201556-fret-leveling-yer-tele-101-a.html

 
I've never bothered with having anyone do any sort of work to my Warmoth necks. They're both quite playable.
 
If you want to do fret work but haven't done it before, I'm not sure a Warmoth neck is the place to start experimenting. You're better off with some rag rides you can't really make any worse. Everybody's got at least one. Find someone who has something they don't care much about, buy the tools, and jump in.
 
SustainerPlayer,
That's a really nice guide, thanks!

AutoBat,
You mean right out of the box? That'd of course be pretty nice... Maybe Warmoth does some fret work on the necks before they are shipped, that's very kind of them! :)

Cagey,
I am in fact currently looking for a cheap guitar just to experiment on before I start the new build. And to be honest, the frets on my good old strat has been worn down quite a bit on some places. Might get a bit of leveling done there as well.

But I did get it right then? The things included in a fret job is 1. leveling 2. end dressing 3. recrowning. Correct?
 
JonatanOTG said:
But I did get it right then? The things included in a fret job is 1. leveling 2. end dressing 3. recrowning. Correct?

Yes, but in a different order. You want to level, then recrown, then dress, then polish. The polishing is important - the best diamond files will leave a fret too coarse to play.

Before you start, you need to use the truss rod to straighten the neck as much as possible. You're going to want to be able to set the neck in a reliable position to play with it. A neck support caul is quite handy for this...

Neck_Support_Caul_sm.jpg

Then, an accurate 18" straightedge and some feeler gauges are indispensable.

Precision_Straightedges_sm.jpg


w125c.jpg

Once it's straight, you will need some leveling files and a fret rocker...

Diamond_Fret_Levelers_sm.jpg


Fret_Rocker_sm.jpg

Once it's level, you'll need a crowning file...

Diamond_Fret_File_sm.jpg

We're almost home. For dressing, you need an end dressing file...

Fret_End_Dressing_File_sm.jpg

Finally, for polishing you'll want some polishing papers...

3M_Flexible_Polishing_Papers_sm.jpg

Also, you'll want to tape off the 'board to protect it, so get some decent masking tape. And beer. Don't forget the beer or you'll never forgive yourself.

Figure about $350 or so to get started. As the job goes on, you'll find yourself wanting other tools as well, but this list should get you to where you can do a very good fret setup job.
 
Cagey said:
Yes, but in a different order. You want to level, then recrown, then dress, then polish. The polishing is important - the best diamond files will leave a fret too coarse to play.

Thank you so very much, sir!  :toothy11:

But... You still sure about the beer thing? ;)
 
I suppose you could try it with scotch, but it's probably a bit like running with scissors...
 
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