Dressing fret ends on a finished instrument

[thistle3585]

I got an instrument from a fellow several months ago and after having acclimated to my part of the country, it seems that the board has shrunk exposing the ends of the frets. We apparently have different humidity levels, as I will also need to replace the non-adjustable bridge, but I wondered if anyone had advice on dressing frets on a finished instrument. I haven't any problem doing it on a new one, but wondered if there are any tips on not marring the finish along the edge of the board.

Thanks
Andrew

[sunburst]

Main thing, just be careful. Any finished surface that is even slightly touched by a file will be marked, as you know, so don't let a file touch any finished surfaces. A little strategically placed masking tape or even thin cardboard can be insurance against an occasional slip with the file, (I tape cardboard to scrolls on F mandos) but it's mostly up to you.

If there is no fingerboard binding and the fret tangs are protruding along the edges of the finished 'board you'll have to file them down to and slightly into the finish. If you're lucky, the builder left those edges straight. The finish there will have to be lightly buffed to look glossy again.

[7777777]

I came up with a method that works great. Try using a diamond honing stone instead of a file. I use a medium or coarse 2” x 6” stone without water. The diamond "stone" is rather smooth and cuts the frets by contrast in hardness rather than with a rough scraping/cutting edge, and barely attacks the wood or finish itself. Because of this it is fairly easy to avoid damaging the edge of the fingerboard if you work carefully and monitor progress often. The slight marring that you might get if your not careful can usually be rubbed out with polishing compound (for finish) or 0000 steel wool (for wood).

Be sure to mask off the top and the sides of the peghead with masking tape and lay the stone across several fret ends at once so that it stay parallel to the edge of the fingerboard. It’s best to do this when the fingerboard shrinkage is at a maximum so that you can stop just as the stone touches the finish. Once the fingerboard is rehydrated just a little the fret ends are completely flush. This method also works particularly well on guitars and ukes for the frets above the body joint.

Hope this helps.

Tim W

[Rick Turner]

If you get into the edge of the fingerboard finish...and you will...a quick few swipes of French polish is all you need to make it look great.