I know this has been discussed before, but what do you guys use to file or sandpaper down rough fret ends? And what kind of file or sandpaper would you use for plastic picks?
I've never attempted this before but I really need to get some frets smoothed out on a couple of instruments. And I've got a thumb pick I need to round down a bit.
I would like some info on this also.
I have a whole mess of files and sandpaper. Fret guru has a nice triangle file much cheaper than Stew Mac has for a very similar file. Stew Mac has a great video on different files and instructions too. Stew Macs prices though are outrageous. I have a fret bel Eli get file but it is tough. I prefer to use the finer fret guru file
I do all my own luthier work. It’s not hard with YouTube. I wouldn’t attempt to remove a bridge or reset a neck. My ukuleles were my practice/testing zones. The all needed major set ups except one I bought from a Hawaiian dealer and they do a custom set up
@jerseychicadee I guess this short film provides the answer, personally if the guitar is of any great value
i would leave it to an expert.
@jerseychicadee That's good info thanks, Jerseychicadee.
(I usually don't look at Stew-Mac because I know I'll find all kinds of things I need/don't need. But I'll do it for this, LOL.
I do my own because it’s not a big job. I’ve fixed scratches, dings, even glued up a pretty smashed up ukulele. I’ve changed out tuner heads and bridges and nuts. File lots of fret ends. I don’t think I’d feel comfortable taking off a neck.
I'll do some stuff but I don't want to break anything fixing it, LOL.
Oh yea. I learn on cheap ukuleles. When I moved up to a more expensive uke I had the dealer set it up and I hate to even change the strings on it cause it sounds so good the way it is. Like Penny. I just love the way she sounds. I don’t want to mess with anything on her. I’ve thought about taking her to shop just for string change. She’s just so comfortable the way she is.
I still haven't changed the strings on my Martin D-18 because it sounds perfect the way it is. Once I change these strings it'll never sound the same again.
0000 steel wool. Make sure your fret boar on both sides of fret is protected.
Essential tool all over my work bench.
