Do I need a fret levelling?

Johnny Storm

On my MIK Strat (about 6 months old) the treble E string chokes when I play the 5th fret and to a lesser extent so does the 3rd fret. The 4th fret is fine. All other strings and frets are OK. I'm happy with the action as it is. The relief is very low (virtually flat). Am I right in thinking this means the frets are not level and so I need a fret levelling / dressing? I'm pretty sure (:rolleyes: ) that is what I need but would value your opinions before I go and make a twat of myself in front of some guitar guru.:o
Based on what I've seen on this forum I would go with Derrick Nelson - anyone know about what he charges for a fret levelling job?

Doctor J

Sounds like it alright. I've yet to pick up a MIK guitar which didn't need a bit of love on the frets. If you're feeling frisky, you could get all the tools you need to level, crown and dress the frets yourself from stewmac

Johnny Storm

Doctor J wrote:

If you're feeling frisky, you could get all the tools you need to level, crown and dress the frets yourself from stewmac

Thanks Dr J. I could get all those tools, but as soon as I used them I'd need to get a new guitar.:rolleyes:

I phoned Derrick Nelson's place and the very nice woman on the phone asked me if I was OK with dropping my guitar in "for about a month" :eek:

Doctor J

Stewmac doesn't look so bad now, eh?

Quattroste

I tell ya lads if you could learn the Luthier trade you could make a killing in this country!

Doctor J

I've done a few fret levellings recently, must do a pictorial of the next one. It's not that hard to do, in truth. You do need the right tools, especially for crowning the fret, but there's not that much to it. Take it easy, go gently and everything will be ok.

feylya

I really must level the frets on the LTD. The upper frets have never been right.

Johnny Storm

StewMac do have this kit for USD155.
Hmmm.........

feylya

Aye, I was just looking at that...

Doctor J

That's for doing a full refret. If you're just levelling, get the leveller file and crowning file, then pickup some fine sandpaper and 0000 grade steel wool (or the finest grade you can find).

Johnny Storm

...plus some Bandaids and not forgetting a new guitar ...;)

Seriously, would the leveller file and crowning file out of that kit be OK? Also wouldn't you need some kind of gizmo to hold the neck while you were hacking away at it?

Doctor J

Don't knock fretless guitar until you've tried it

Johnny Storm

Fair enough, I actually edited in a serious question to my last post which you may not have seen.;)

Karl Hungus

Doctor J wrote:

I've done a few fret levellings recently, must do a pictorial of the next one. It's not that hard to do, in truth. You do need the right tools, especially for crowning the fret, but there's not that much to it. Take it easy, go gently and everything will be ok.

Well spit it out man, how much do you charge?

Doctor J

Charge?

Doctor J

Johnny Storm wrote:

Seriously, would the leveller file and crowning file out of that kit be OK? Also wouldn't you need some kind of gizmo to hold the neck while you were hacking away at it?

That's all I've ever used and a U shaped bit of foam from a Dell laptop packaging. Ask Fey what he thought of the Ibanez, better to get an impartial opinion. I'll do up some pics of the next one I do, probably next week or the week after to show you what I do.

feylya

Ibanez good!

Johnny Storm

Thanks again, Dr J.

Johnny Storm

Here's a fret levelling guide with pix

Ancient1

Excellent find, Johnny, cleared up a lot of stuff for me!

Doc / Fey, wanna add that link to the resources sticky?

feylya

Done.

deaddonkey

if it's just a couple of spots you just have 2 frets that are slightly high. I levelled a couple of frets on a guitar that needed it for the first time a few weeks ago with a sanding block and some paper and it sorted it ... just needed to take the height of the fret down a tiny bit.