Fret Leveling Brand New Neck

[Cactus Jack]

We all know Warmoth does not dress the frets on their necks. However, I have 3 new necks, and I'm not certain they need to be leveled.

Using a fret rocker two of the necks seem to be darn near perfect with maybe 2-4 tiny high spots. The third neck does have several places where I got the tiniest bit of movement and chatter from the rocker, but we're talking fractions of millimeters. Fret ends on all necks seem smooth and no issues noted.

Is it simply good practice to level the frets? I'm an aspiring hobbyist, plan on burnishing the necks, so it seems like this would be a great learning opportunity. However, if it's not broke do I attempt to fix it? I do not want to cut corners, I want my guitars to play as well as possible, I'm just not sure if it's needed.

With that said, I'm willing to invest in the tools and the time needed to learn the skill. I've just recently decided to stop paying other folks to do my setups, and have really enjoyed learning to do my own work. It almost feels like doing my own setup has created a unique bond with my guitar...stupid I know, but I certainly appreciate it more.

Anyway, the necks are off so now would be the perfect time to do it. Should I or should I leave it alone for now?

 

[spe111]

I would do it. I also would not think it would be unreasonable not to do it. Whatever you like. I had it done on all of mine, not because they were terrible, but I wanted them to start off perfect at least.

 

[Cactus Jack]

I read up on the fret leveling 101 post over at TDPRI and called up a local countertop company. They will cut me a sanding beam from their scrap to whatever dimension...for FREE! That just saved me $50+ and made the decision to give it a go pretty darn easy.

I was thinking 18x1x1.5" Quartz...sound about right?

 

[aarontunes]

I own six Warmoth necks personally, gig with them regularly, and have never had any of them leveled. They are all play clean with low action.

Could they play better if they were professionally leveled? Some of them could, but not all. A few of them play so well now that I don't see what spending more money or time on them could possibly improve. However, I would like to get the ends dressed at some point, just for comfort's sake, but they are plenty level already.

If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

 

[spe111]

I own six Warmoth necks personally, gig with them regularly, and have never had any of them leveled. They are all play clean with low action.


Could they play better if they were professionally leveled. Some of them maybe could, but not all. I would like to get the ends dressed at some point, just for comfort's sake, but they are plenty level already.


If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

You also live where they make them so there's not much chance of them moving around when the neck gets acclimated to a new climate.

 

[aarontunes]

You also live where they make them so there's not much chance of them moving around when the neck gets acclimated to a new climate.

This is not a lie.

 

[AirCap]

Been selling, installing, and playing Warmoth stuff since they were Boogie Bodies. I've had 2 necks that needed a bit of spot leveling fresh from the box. I think Warmoth's attention to fretting and finishing of fingerboards is top notch, and Fender and Gibson should take notes.

 

[bagman67]

Seconding the countertop fabricator suggestion.  I went to a stonecutter's workshop and picked up a piece of white marble about 18" long x 2" wide X 1" thick that the owner trimmed down for me from scrap.  It's perfectly flat and square and, while more fragile than a steel or aluminum beam, it has the advantage of being heavier, and also free.

 

[BroccoliRob]

A guy at the Big W said not to do fret stuff until it's been at tension. I was like "fork yeah that is good news for people who like good news" and he was like "huh?" and I said "that's music to my earlobes" and he said "huh?" again and I said "I think it's pretty clear what I meant" and he was like "no its really not" so there was a really long silence and we both said goodbye at the same time and hung up. Anyway, great guys don't hesitate to give them a buzz lightyear

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

You also live where they make them so there's not much chance of them moving around when the neck gets acclimated to a new climate.

This is not a lie.

In the 8 years that I've had my Bari-Tele assembled, aside from the initial level/crown/dress that I did, I have not even so much as had to adjust the truss rod, as I also live within 20 miles of the Turtle.

 

[Cactus Jack]

AZ seems pretty hard on instruments. The heat isn't the issue, it's the lack of humidity that causes problems. Things dry out, frets sprout, all the fun stuff. It's especially hard on acoustics.

This is especially true when I buy instruments from out of state. For example, I bought a pristine G&L from a shop in Alaska. It left left the shop in the 30's and high humidity and landed at my place at 115* with zero humidity. Sucker didn't ship with signature requirement and it sat on my front porch for a few hours. When I opened the case the finish had literally shattered.

 

[mayfly]

In my neck of the woods (<- I said 'neck' there... gedit? ) Temperature ranges from 40DegC in the summer to -40DegC in the winter, with humidity changing from 80% to 0% during the same period. 

Through all of this, I've found that my warmoth 'pro' necks are pretty solid and need no tweaking.  But a warmoth 'vintage modern' neck I had needed constant work on the frets and trussrod to make it good.  I've since sold it...

 

[stratamania]

I do like to dress the end of frets, roll the fingerboard edges and also level if needed a new neck. In some cases, levelling maybe just a minor spot level of a minuscule amount, but something being level is level after all. Of course, it is simply not needed to grind material away for the sake of it, that would be silly.

But what I will probably spend time in all cases on polishing frets to 12000 grit.

Whether it is worth spending the time and effort is up to the individual in all cases.

 

[Cactus Jack]

Ive decided I’m going for it. I’ll practice on my kids gear first! The worst that can happen is I learn a $300 lesson in what not to do. Even then it’s a valuable lesson and great experience. This is something I want to do, a skill I want to develop, might as well commit. At the end of the day, no risk it, no biscuit!

 

[BigSteve22]

...no risk it, no biscuit!

I like that! Good luck....  :icon_thumright:

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Ive decided I’m going for it. I’ll practice on my kids gear first! The worst that can happen is I learn a $300 lesson in what not to do. Even then it’s a valuable lesson and great experience. This is something I want to do, a skill I want to develop, might as well commit. At the end of the day, no risk it, no biscuit!

Guitar Fetish Bodies & Necks are good for using a learning material.  Inexpensive.