New video: How to dress the ends of your frets.

[aarontunes]

File away:

 

[bagman67]

I recently acquired legit fret files, so I'm looking forward to putting your teachings into practice, A-ron. Moving back to the Vegas desert climate has resulted in some fret sprout I need to address, so might as well go all the way.

I hope the Warmoth supreme command recognize how tremendously good for their image you are.

 

[Rick]

This is a good one.

 

[JacobJames]

"I hope the Warmoth supreme command recognize how tremendously good for their image you are."

Roger, Roger. Copy, Over and Out. Good Job Aaron, caught up on your videos today. I have a flimsy old canvas case up here in high command. Then again, no one wants to see my guitars. hahahahahaha

 

[aarontunes]

I hope the Warmoth supreme command recognize how tremendously good for their image you are.

There are about 60 other people at the mothership without whom the wheels of Warmoth would grind to a halt. The only difference between them and me is that I'm stupid enough to put myself in the public eye. LOL.

But thank-you!

 

[mrpinter]

Hey @aarontunes, I assume you were working on nickel frets. How much more difficult have you found stainless steel frets to work with? Does it just take longer to do, or would different (such as, harder steel) tools be recommended?

 

[JacobJames]

Case and point.

 

[aarontunes]

Hey @aarontunes, I assume you were working on nickel frets. How much more difficult have you found stainless steel frets to work with? Does it just take longer to do, or or would different (such as, harder steel) tools be recommended?

The frets in the vid are stainless. Just takes a touch more "umph" is all. I supposed if you're a pro luthier doing 5 fret jobs a day the tools may wear out quicker, but I'm not. The two files I showed are the only two I've ever had.

As an aside, SS is the only kind of fret wire I'll get from Warmoth now. To me it's such an inexpensive and obvious upgrade. The only nickel frets I own anymore are on the "other" brands of guitars I own.

 

[aarontunes]

Case and point.

LOL....well said.

And also: dang. You have more disembodied parts at home than I do, plus all those vacuum pedestals. Warmoth museum?

Also, also: I see you're into disc golf. I go by the InfiniteDisc factory every day on my morning walk.

 

[JacobJames]

I assume you were working on nickel frets. How much more difficult have you found stainless steel frets to work with? Does it just take longer to do, or would different (such as, harder steel) tools be recommended?

It's not much longer, more effort than nickel. Basically, the same process with stainless. Softer touch on nickel. Firmer on touch on stainless.

Spent many years rounding those frets!

 

[teleme01]

Very informative, 3 thumbs up

 

[TonyFlyingSquirrel]

Ken taught me the rolling method with the stewmac file. I use the micro mesh pads to do the same thing, and it rolls the edges of the fingerboard in the process.

 

[ghostrider]

Thanks for this. Very, very helpful.

You hit the nail on the head with stopping at filing. That’s me for sure and this helps to convince me that it’s not too difficult.

My request for your next video would be cutting and filing a nut.

 

[JacobJames]

Also, with nickel you can get away with an older file. With Stainless I would recommend a new file. @ghostrider25 the CNC does most of that work, but this would be a fun video to see the "old school" method. I am sure there are many videos out there on the internet with brass and bone or more rare materials.

 

[rauchman]

@aarontunes , you're killing it with the vid's.

Terrific info!

 

[Bruce Campbell]

Also, with nickel you can get away with an older file. With Stainless I would recommend a new file. @ghostrider25 the CNC does most of that work, but this would be a fun video to see the "old school" method. I am sure there are many videos out there on the internet with brass and bone or more rare materials.

I had significant wear on a Stewmac Z File after 1 stainless fret job - it did work effectively, and they did replace it at no cost besides return shipping, but fresh+robust is an essential formula for a good SS file. I've had longer usable tool life with super-strong toothed files, although the smooth action of the diamond files is nice.

 

[aarontunes]

Thanks for the kind words everybody!

 

[stratamania]

I had significant wear on a Stewmac Z File after 1 stainless fret job - it did work effectively, and they did replace it at no cost besides return shipping, but fresh+robust is an essential formula for a good SS file. I've had longer usable tool life with super-strong toothed files, although the smooth action of the diamond files is nice.

I have done several SS fret jobs and crowned with Stewmac Z files, without any wear. Hopefully the one you had was an outlier.

 

[ejphotos]

I usually dress my frets in suits. They are distinguished gentlemen.

 

[Tipperman]

Thank you for the videos of late, Aaron. Very much appreciated.