Fret Levelling - DIY or DIDont?

[weezingthejuicebodhi]

Hey guys,

Figured this is always the best place to ask since there is so much experience here.

As some of you know I just finished up my Strat and I love it so far. After some doodling I was finally able to get it in 'pretty good' playing shape but I'm still having some [nitpicky] issues.

It really comes down to string buzz all-and-all. At this point it is the only remaining bugaboo to deal with.

Things to know:
* Standard 25.5" body and neck
* Eb tuning, .009s
* Measured the neck relief @ 7th fret (w/ capo on 1st, finger on 17th) .012" per the good book of Erlewine
* Pickups were too high, set them as close to 3/32->1/8" as possible given the staggered pole pieces. Regardless of taste they definitely shouldn't be doing any 'pull' now
* Raised the string height a good portion. Before I'd say they were close to 4/64" (1.5mm since I usually measure with a ruler here) @ 17th fret - crown to string bottom. I see that this is the 'Fender Desired Factory spec' but no way. I juiced everything up to ~2mm.

With all of these changes (notably the saddle height change) I now have minimal/no buzzing. I still get the sneaking touch of buzz here if I hit something pretty hard or do dramatic vibrato. Since I'm playing .009s the higher action isn't a burden at all to me (still comfortable), but I can't help but shake the notion I could do better.

So with that said - is fret leveling the next realistic step? I can see by sighting down the neck there is definitely some opportunity. Since I won't be pulling/replacing frets is the a fairly safe DIY project to venture into? Any words of wisdom? Anything else I may be missing that I should be trying first?

 

[Cagey]

Warmoth necks are fantastic, and they're my preferred supplier by far. But, even they will tell you that their necks need setup. The frets are fairly level, as they're new frets installed on a freshly milled fretboard. But, they're not perfect. They don't level them, nor to they dress the ends. They also don't set the nut slot height or the relief. All those things are left to the user because they don't know what your final preferences are going to be.

None of those things are particularly difficult to do, but it is tedious and will require some tools that your average shop won't have. Plus, a certain amount of experience can keep you from wrecking what might be a fairly expensive part. We like to help people out here, so if you wanna try it on for yourself, you have a good chance of success. We can pass along a lotta experience. But, you'll have to buy into some tools that can run into real money. If you intend to do a number of necks, it's probably worth it to do that. If it's just a couple/few, you're better off hiring it out. 

A good music store (not Guitar Center) should have a good tech on staff, or you may be able to find a luthier around town. Setups will run anywhere from $150-$400. Anything less than that, you need to be suspicious, and toward the top end you're probably paying for name association more than any special skill. IOW, the guy who charges $75 only thinks he knows what he's doing, and the guy who sets up Eddie VanHalen's guitar can pretty much charge whatever he wants and get it, but that doesn't mean he knows magic.

So, you pays yer munny and you makes yer choice.

 

[weezingthejuicebodhi]

Hey, thanks for the reply Cagey.

Yeah - I'm by no means offended or disappointed in Warmoth for the neck. I know that these things come with the territory and are to be expected (and are frankly, clearly disclosed).

The tools of the trade aren't completely foreign to me. I do like to watch videos and research in my free time so I know the gist of a rocker, straight edge, and files. It is obviously much easier to fantasize about than actually do though. I'd say if the tools start eclipsing $150 then I'd probably elect to hire it out, because like you said, I don't know how often I would do this (yet).

Fortunately I do have a very reputable store near me and trust them with my stuff. I worked retail for ten years, so I know better than to trust the average bear at Guitar Center. Which is a shame in and of itself, but that becomes an entirely different conversation!

Thanks again sir.

 

[AirCap]

Cagey is correct - Warmoth has superior fretwork on their necks AND don't even take your axe to Guitar Center (aka Ninth Circle Of Hell Music) for repair. The guy in my town is supposedly trained, but I get a buttload of rework because he butched up someones' pride and joy. Think about it, if the guy is any good - would he be working at the crummiest paying place in town?

 

[new-killer-star]

Think about it, if the guy is any good - would he be working at the crummiest paying place in town?

We actually had a Guitar Center tech that was great, but it was only a transitory thing for him, he was only there for a few months before moving on to work for himself full time.

 

[Cagey]

Some folks will whine, cry and starve, others will do whatever they have to.

 

[weezingthejuicebodhi]

Sheesh - looks like a ruffled some feathers regarding GC lol Fortunately I was not going to take my guitar there.

Anyhow - how much does anyone think I should spend on a decent set of tools that are necessary? I know there are a few places to buy from - any particular recommendations?

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Stockwell Guitars, a fellow forumite has a video about Spherical Fret End Dressing somewhere, I just couldn't find it in a pinch.