How hard is it to level frets and cut nut slots?

[BlueAttitude]

Good morning all, total newbie question here, I hope that is ok!!

I have a warmoth strat body with a neck from a '94 Fender strat bolted to it. Problem is the Fender neck is not in spec, apparently this used to happen quite a bit back in the day. It is too thick to fit properly in the neck slot, so to make it work I needed to shim it forward using shims I got from Stew Mac. Works ok, but not as good as it should be.

So! What I want to do it put the strat neck back on the strat body and buy a warmoth neck for the warmoth body.

From reading the info on the site it seems that the frets need to be leveled by me after I receive the neck, and also the nut slots need to be cut. This is way outside of my comfort zone, is this a job that someone with zero experience would be able to pull off??

Thanks!

 

[timezon3]

The thing is, if you have zero experience, you probably also have zero tools.  If this isn't something you're really interested in, it's probably best to take it to a tech.  For my last neck, I did not do any fret levelling (it's close enough for me), but I decided I wanted to try my hand at cutting a nut and doing the nut slots myself.  I'm glad that I did, for the learning experience, but for the money, in the future, I'd probably have Warmoth install a nut.  The nut slots will still need to be adjusted, and again, this takes tools.  Either good expensive ones from StewMac, or some DIY-type tools (feeler gauges turned into files).  None of this is rocket science, and there are plenty of good videos on youtube, and people here to help, but it is a lot of work and learning.  So it really depends on your aims.  Get this guitar playing well?  Take to a tech.  Learn how to set up your guitars the way you want them?  Learn to do it yourself.

Hope that helps you make a decision. 

TZ

 

[TBurst Std]

That is a good response.  Ask yourself, how many times you will do it? Which will address whether you should invest in the tools.
Next, remember it is a skill, and a skill needs to be practiced. 
If you aren’t going to do this a number of times (say 20+), You May want to have someone do it for you.
I have Cagey here on the board do mine for my builds. 

 

[AirCap]

I've been installing Warmoth necks since the early 80's, and only TWICE have I ever received a new neck from them that needed leveling (and it was spot leveling). Frankly, for aftermarket parts - Warmoth is the highest in quality, and Fender and Gibson could take notes from them on how to install and dress frets.

Can a total noob do it? NO. Find a competent and experienced luthier to fit your neck, install and cut the nut, and set it up from scratch. I don't mean the dork at Guitar Center, either. Someone good, OK? You are worth it, and any Warmoth parts are certainly worth it.

 

[Cagey]

Everyone has to start somewhere; nobody's born knowing how to set up necks/guitars properly. But, a Warmoth neck is probably not a good first patient. It would be like jumping into heart surgery the first time you pick up a scalpel. You want to start on simpler jobs first, on lesser instruments, where mistakes can be more easily tolerated or repaired. Plus, that gives you time to know/understand what tools you need and why, as well as how to use them.

Aircap's right in that Warmoth necks are usually quite playable right out of the box, but that depends a bit on your tolerance level or expectations. They're what you'd expect of most new OEM fretwork in that respect. Still, of the many necks I've set up from them or anyone else, only two did not need leveling. But, I'm pretty picky. I want the thing flat to .001" over its length, which just doesn't happen very often on new frets, even when I install them. Plus, while their fret ends are beveled, they're not dressed, and many would rather have that comfort. And without them knowing what strings you're going to use or your playing style or preferred feel, they have to leave the nut with room to be adjusted, so the slots are cut a bit shallow.

So, I'd say wait until the thing shows up, install it and string it up, and see if you're happy. If so, life is good. If not, take/send it to a pro.

 

[stratamania]

It can be done but might be better to try on an old neck first. Also, the tools will cost a fair amount if you are only going to do the job once it might be better to farm it out.

Also, we do not know how handy you are with tools and what transferable skills you may have. I have done quite a few necks now and each one gets a little quicker to do. If you want to follow the first Warmoth build I did and experiences with fretwork (including some lessons learned along the way) take a look at the Quilted Purple build thread in my signature. Then when I got to do the Tele it was plain sailing.

If you do farm it out you need recommendations and examples of work, as there are hacks out there.

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

If learning the skills to do ongoing work, Warmoth is too high of quality to spend on such a learning curve.

Learn by butchering GFS necks on a fraction of the cost, then apply to high end components for even more stellar results.

 

[rob91bob]

If learning the skills to do ongoing work, Warmoth is too high of quality to spend on such a learning curve.

Learn by butchering GFS necks on a fraction of the cost, then apply to high end components for even more stellar results.

How I practiced was to scour craigslist and Facebook for sale sections and bought a few Squire's, GIO's and First Act guitars. Pick up a few tools, I use Crimson Guitar's Leveling beam with 400 and 600 grit sand paper, a triangle crowning file, a fret dressing file and lots of masking tape. Watch a bunch of videos on you tube and get to work. There really isn't much you can do to a cheap guitar neck that won't improve it. Do a decent job, clean it up well and then sell the guitar again for about what you have in it.

 

[BlueAttitude]

I'm very handy with tools, but this is something I've never done before and I want to make sure it is done perfectly, I've already invested quite a bit in this project and I don't want to mess it up now.

I am going to see if I can find someone local that does this kind of work.

Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful!

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

I'm very handy with tools, but this is something I've never done before and I want to make sure it is done perfectly, I've already invested quite a bit in this project and I don't want to mess it up now.

I am going to see if I can find someone local that does this kind of work.

Thanks for the replies everyone, very helpful!

If this is specific to this one build, and you aren't going to be doing this frequently in a repair shop context, then hiring out for a reputable tech is a worthy investment.