Only piece of advice I'd give to anyone trying this out for their first time, is that before crowning the frets with the crowning file, actually re mark the frets with the sharpie again, so you can see where and how much material you are actually taking off. Only a thin line should be visible after using the crowning file to recrown the frets

Before sanding a high fret, i highly recommend giving it some taps with the hammer first to ensure it is fully seated

I typically can not make it through an hour "how to" video. But your video was fascinating and very useful. Thank you for making the video and sharing your knowledge and technique. Awesome!

When using multiple grades of abrasive paper, you should vary the direction 90 degrees for each grade so that you can see when the marks from the previous grade have been removed. Each finer grade of paper is only there to remove the marks of the previous grade, so this lets you know when you are done without removing too much. I do this on silver jewellery and end up with a smooth shiny surface even before I apply the rouge.

Nice thorough fret tutorial 👍👍 .. one thing I might add is just make sure all frets are seated..

One of the best videos I've seen on this subject. I did a fret level on a classic vibe telecaster. Best hour and half I've spent on guitar. Played like an absolute dream. Don't be afraid of attempting this. As long as the truss rod is adjusted correctly at the beginning it's a breeze. I panicked at first but shouldn't have!

Handy tip, with the fret file move your hand up a bit and use the pressure of your finger over the top of the fret so the file follows the curve naturally. Will help getting the edges evenly. Great video by the way very informative.

Yup. Here's a brand new Fender licensed neck and we're just gonna SCRITCH SCRATCH SCRATCH..... Just a great clip sir. You took the time to explain the process and took all the risks before I have to. Beautiful.

Gotta do it for the first time eventually. Just start on a Squire or Epi. You may find it plays as well or even better than your $2000 USA guitar when you’re done. Just need to get better pickups at that point!

I’m currently on night shift trying to stay awake. This video is helping. I’ve never been brave enough to attempt any kind of fret work on my guitars.

I’ve seen a lot of fret dressing videos. This was is by far the best and easiest to understand! 👏👍🏼

Sir, you certainly know how to explain the work that you do in a way that even a child can understand. And THAT is a huge compliment because there are many videos in which the instructor fails to convey the purpose of each step and the issues that may be introduced if not done properly. I'm not a luthier. I am a beginning guitar player (60 year old male), and I cannot afford expensive instruments; however, watching videos allow me to learn how to fix different issues I encounter as I learn to play, and your video (this video) is the best video I have learned from (and I can say that I've watched several hundred videos). Thank you for posting this video and I hope you continue to upload more videos. Sincerely, Mike V. Albuq., NM

i appreciate the level of detail in this video - thanks for not speeding up some of the basic parts. i'm aspiring to learn these skills with no previous background so this has been super helpful. thank you!

Best video on YT for this

Excellent job, I'm still leery to try it. I'll watch you guys a little longer. Thanks for the training/demonstration👏

Hi, I just finished following your complete guide step by step to the letter in real time to your video. You were literally right in back of me on a 50 inch roku tv. I bought all the tools you had before starting. My project guitar is a new 40th anniversary fender squire telecaster. It came out FANTASTIC!!!! I also upgraded my bridge saddles to gotah compensate saddles for spot-on intonation. My telecaster is blond, just like yours also with the same kneck. I really wish I could show you my work and shack your hand for making this possible. This carries over to any guitar. Plays and feels like a high end guitar. Ken from the USA.

Absolutely throughly enjoyed this video. Very professional explanation and action. Very helpful and informative. Thank you 🤘🎸🤘

EXCELLENT VIDEO!!! This is exactly the stage I am at with my guitar and I have viewed countless videos only to be more confused at the end. Yours is clear, concise, and very well orated with useful information vrs the self serving fluff or sales pitch of the others. Thank you again for helping me through this process. I’m subscribed!!

Thank you for taking time to explain this process in detail.

Please more videos like these. Thanks for the great video Tony.

I know everyone loves their fret rocker, as do I, but it's just part of the diagnosis. Not enough people realize that you might not necessarily be identifying a high fret. You may actually be tricked by an adjacent LOW spot. Lots of novices make that mistake and end up filing a fret that didn't need it and creating a domino effect, ending up with a full fret level being needed. I would also suggest using gauges, a very good caliper, or some means of measuring fret height to confirm your feet rocker data. And if there's more than 4 or 5 high/low spots on any given guitar, don't even bother spot leveling. Just do the whole thing and you'll be in a much better position overall. Just use an actual fret level, not a spirit level. They're NEVER perfectly flat unless you make them that way, which takes forever. And try not to go back and forth like this guy does when leveling. Use one motion across all frets as much as you can. By going back and forth, you will end up sanding the frets in the center MORE than the frets up high and down low. It's ok for a few passes, but if you're goal is to take down as little material as possible while also accomplishing a perfectly level board, single direction strokes are best, even if it takes more time and effort. Lastly, if you have any doubts whatsoever, always take it to a technician to either do it for you or at least guide you.

I am so glad you shared this. I was just looking at my buffing wheels and Rouge for my Dremel tool today planning on trying it on my first fret polish. I am so glad I watched this. You are a great teacher. Thank you.

Thank you! I've watched MANY videos on this subject in preparation of my own fret leveling project, and this is one of the best. I appreciate how patient and thorough you are, it is incredibly helpful! Also I'm learning (as you mentioned) there isn't just one "right" way to do this, there are many viable methods. Anyway, thanks again, you are awesome :)

I bought a lot of tools off stew Mac years ago and I noticed some of them were actually cheap tools resold for a lot more money. I saw them sold other places for less.

Thank you for making this a full-length video. I won't feel bad when I put quite a bit of time into my project after seeing how much actual time someone with experience puts into it.

I think I will definitely try this out on an older guitar I have .. thanks for posting, you made it look easy .

Very interesting I think I will get some tools and have some practice on my dunger guitar before I work on my bass thank you very good video.

Thanks master! Nice work and teaching method, relaxing to watch as well.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. I watched it the first time through, just to see if it all made sense to me, and it did. Then it was time to follow your steps. I already had a little Amazon guitar tool kit. I had all of the sandpaper grits left over from painting cars. When I told my wife, I would need to buy a Dremel tool, she said she had one. She had been holding out on me. lol Even had the red jeweler’s rouge. I leveled and polished, while also watching your video, to be sure I didn't forget any steps (I'm old). It turned out great! Thank you!

I took an old 35 dollar Squier that had too high of action and instead of adjusting the truss rod I went to town. Well, what do ya know.... it worked! I told my friend that I could amaze someone for 100 dollar's. He said it was fantastic! Quality of a Fender due to the hours I spent on the neck. It had a cost for a disabled man though. Stressing alone did not neck in and I went and got some stew mac tool's. I'm too old I guess. Make things easy and less pain but what a result. My friends gave me a new name and are setting me up with a business. Lol

Absolute great video! I'm 66 and been playing for years but only lately attempting fret work. Your video is extremely helpful, I am subscribing today, thanks!!

I watched this entire thing twice because I’m about to do this to my guitars and can’t afford to mess up. Thank you.

This video was of extreme help to me on a couple of kit guitars I am getting ready to start. I have done many of the other set up and mod work to my existing guitars, but never a fret level. Thank you so much for this.

This is the best video I've seen of this process yet. Thank you. Your video is much appreciated.

Excellent technique and explanation. Thanks!

This was great. Very informative.

I have all this tools and never tried doing the polishing in that way! It’s seems much more practical. Thanks

Thanks so much for your video and that you didn't fast forward through the time it actually took you, and the tips along the way. I have the tools except the file that I wasn't sure I was going to buy because I was missing the balls to do this job. But thanks to you and your video I've built the courage to do it. Thanks again 👍

Thank you for this video! very inspiring and professional. ill give it a shot, I used to build my own guitars when i was teens and 20's, I'm 57 now haven't done work on guitars in years, but I'm back to playing and want my guitars pristine!!!

Thanx a lot for sharing your knowledge. I really appreciate this. What I like is not only the content but the way you present it. You do it in a such relaxed and sympathetic manner I could watch for hours and hours ;-) A little hint how I polish the frets without any machinery etc. By accident I found out to use a rubber eraser works for me very well. Low cost perfect result (for me!). I would be happy you'd make a vid about how to handle with sticking out fretends on the edge of the neck. Kind regards from Germany

Thank you for taken the time to show that this is doable for anybody with a few tools.

Yes, please continue with the maintenance videos. Great job with the frets! Nice and slow so I could grasp it!

A ton of info, plus great comments. Thank you

The very last fret can be filed much lower than the others because it only comes into play at the last position.It helps eliminate any buzzing on very low action.

Tony, Stellar video. You take the fear out of doing a do-it-yourself fret level. Keep up the great work. God Bless your patience and knowledge. all the best, Ron (San Jose, CA)

Thanks very much indeed fella for this really down to earth example that you’ve given your time to do.. Real time/Real deal.. interesting banter whilst undertaking the task at hand as well.. top call.. I’ll be checking over this when I get the time to do a Mexican 80’s blackie Strat that I’ve just bought off flea bau

I mail ordered a neck and now i have the confidence of making the purchase worthwhile. Just found your channel and will be back.

I like the trick with the paintings behind you on the wall. Beautiful. I refretted one of my favorite cheap guitars last year...it's a simple process but perfection is elusive.

Huge help! Thank you so much for sharing!

That was excellent. I subscribed, liked and rang the notification bell! Well Done!

Great video, thanks so much Tony! I love the idea of being able to peel all the tape off at once, brilliant idea. Not sure why I never thought of this, because it really is a pain otherwise. Sometimes the most obvious ideas are not always so obvious.

You are a guitar tech, the way Bob ross was a painter, so smooth , so relaxing, i loved the way you talked during the video , great job , many thanks 🙏🙌🍀

Thanks! This helped me so much on my first re-fret, level, crown, and polish!

Thank you. I found your video. Jan. 18 2024.I like how meticulous and step by step you work. Very calming to watch. I am getting ready to level frets on my beloved acoustic. I will be referring to this video. Great job.

Nicely done video. Thank you.

This is how I do all my necks and this is the best way to do them. I also use a small file and round the fret ends as well before the sanding and polishing.

Terrific video. I'm with you - Dremel for the win! I've been using polishing tools (big wheels, etc., since I was working with plastics in grade school, and then later, on motorcycle fins,and then finally with my dremel for the last 20+ years. Much better method than steel wool. It makes your frets feel like glass and gets rid of the micro scratches that steel wool leaves behind.

Thank you ! I've used this video to write myself down instructions (for future jobs).

This is the definitive fret leveling/dressing video, your audio is clear and image clarity is excellent, by far the best! I've learned so much, with this new knowledge I will confidently level and dress my guitars frets.

A very nice and clear video thank you so much.

Wow! Great work. Thank you very much!

I thought I had one fret to deal with, but now I realise I need to go back and make sure the neck was straight when I run the rocker, I overlooked that. Great vid, think I’m going to enjoy the full process. Thanks - working on your guitars helps you know them better, saves some moolah, and is meditative . Thanks again.

i'm building a bass right now and have watched a few videos on people leveling, crowning, polishing, and right as I was thinking your magic trick was a dremel... out came the rotary tool :D Dan over at Guns and Guitars used a brown polishing compound for a "quick but good" polishing with a dremel while admitting it isn't going to be a mirror polish but plays great. I think I'm going to try the brown, and then the rouge, and then the whole sanding to final rouge you showed here because honestly that wasn't slow or anything and I do acknowledge slowly working one's way through finer and finer grits. Thanks for sharing! It was an hour well spent.

Good video , I made a mini body to screw the neck onto. I found levelled frets could get humps on the higher frets once tightened back onto guitar. Tightened to a scrap of wood with 4 holes drilled in seems to replicate the compression and gives me better results.

I like how he takes his time.yes I'm one to get bored but not with him. He knows what he's doing. I like watching him .

I recently built my first 3-string cigar box guitar and my fret work was not all that great. Lots of buzzing and generally hard to play at some spots. I followed your instructions precisely and took my time. The results were absolutely incredible. Like a new guitar. Just amazing how much of a difference accurate fret work makes. Thanks a million for the great instructional video.

Absolutely Spectacular Video !!!!!

This was really well done. Buying tools ⚒️ today. Can’t wait to get that Bullet Tele smooth! Thanks

Great material! A must watch for someone who hasn’t done this before like myself!

I really enjoy your video none of it was boring Thank you very much 😊

that´s the best video about fret leveling.

I am building my first cheap kit guitar which has some fret level issues. This video is fantastic .. truly the best I've seen. Just what I needed to attempt my first level and dress. Thanks.

Excellent video for players that are nervous about trying to level and polish frets. Stewmac do some great tools to make this job easier, but they are expensive. My advice is if you are like me, and don't want to risk wrecking an expensive guitar, buy a cheap entry level guitar, they almost always need a fret job. Thanks for this guide Tony, full of how to do a good job without expensive tools.

This is a great video, but one thing I have observed is that majority of the spots are on the edges of the fretboard not in the centers of the frets, id try taking a brass fret hammer and checking first to make sure that the frets are seated right. They may have lifted due to temperature shifts in the shipping process. Those mighty mite necks are known for that. Not good to take off material you don't need to.

Great video You're a good guitar repair Guru thank you for the help

Great instructional video. I'm doing this today!

Excellent video! Thank you for taking the time to teach your method. I found the best way to watch this is to turn the speed up to 2x and your voice is still understandable, but time to watch is cut in half.

Excellent!

AMAZING video. Thanks for sharing!!!

Learned a lot about fret repair and maintenance....good tutorial.

Thanks for this video, you explanation is very clear!!!

Excellent. Best I have seen. Thank you

Awesome Tony ....killer how to ...video...!

Excellent video!

thank you for uploading this video, very informative! the local guitar shops here roughly Estimate 140 - 165 dollars for fret dressing and then + for setup. I bought 150 dollars worth of guitar tools and waiting for a few more pieces. I worked on my Cheap Les paul as a first time test and I have been feeling great reward that i been able to do them myself. If however i mess up i can always take it to a shop but this saved me over 500 dollars in shop money that i can put into guitar parts! The Fret work turned out great although i need to go back and do one more pass as i didnt file enough! so i got a couple spots here and there that i need to spot level. Thanks for the video!

A great and informative video. Thanks for sharing your skill. I feel confident now about maintaining my Tele.

Well done!

This is awesome 100%🎉

Good job thank you for sharing the video learn something new everyday I work and try to work on my own guitars sometimes I have to take to a Lutheran to refrett the neck

If you don’t mind me recommending something, you can also use a sharpie mark before crowning, but in this case you want to have a thinner line at the end but it should be there. Otherwise you need to level again.

Brilliant tutorial 👏

this old neck of mine, re-done with stainless has just reach the "sprout freets" stage satisfactory... it is almost ready for level & crown work, thanks for the advise! greetings

Best video about leveling frets. Thanks bro for the high quality video.

It was an interesting video.Not at all boring. You gave a comprehensive easy to understand video. I've worked on a guitar years ago and got good results,but recently bought a very cheap guitar and tried my same method but didn't get results. So instead of taking a chance and ruining it, I stopped.Your video gave me the PEACE of mind to realize I should send it to a Luther some day when I save up the money and take care of other issues first. The only concern is that I don't know how to find a good competent Luther. ( Yes I know I misspelled but the computer can't recognize that word and misspells it).

I subscribed because its so relaxing to watch your video

Thanks Tony. 🤘

I just wanted to take a minute and say thank you! I'm new to cleaning/setups, and restoring(only about 6 months as a trade skill), but this video has been invaluable to me. I have 95% of the tools in this video and watching you shows me how to improve my craft. I'm a guitarist for over 20 years and I love the fact that I can still learn how to work on and fix things that I love! Thanks again!

Good info.Thanks

Brilliant video.

great video! Im building a bass from scratch at the moment. Ive never built an instrument before but i have been woodworking for a little over a year. Im actually close to being finished with the build. I just installed the frets yesterday and filed the fret ends and put a bevel on them. Now im just waiting for my fret rocker to come in the mail so i can level and polish. then all i have left is installing the tuners and electronics and just put it together and im done!! Its a PASSIVE musicman stingray style bass. Ive been posting my progress on instgram too