#1
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Minimum fret height for levelling?
Can anyone tell me the minimum height of the existing frets to make a level and re-crown viable? My 1992 Ibanez Artist electric needs some levelling and crowning but the frets are very wide [compared with my Taylors and Stratocaster) at 2.6mm/0.10". The most worn frets have about 0.9mm/0.035" of height left, should this be sufficient for levelling? The neck is in good shape and straightens nicely using the truss rod under string tension.
Thanks!
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GSRC 354ceL30 Baby Mahogany Fender American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster |
#2
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If a full refret is in order, congrats. Now you get to choose the fret size you like the most. Play a bunch of guitars, and take action, neck profile, and tone out of the equation. Just play the fret profile, and choose what you like the most. Another reason that such a low profile can be problematic, is that is pretty difficult to get a proper crown on a fret so low. You can get close with a three corner file, or by rounding the tops with sandpaper being held with fingers, but it won't be a perfect crown. Which isn't such a bad thing, some folks (myself included) like the "school bus top" fret crown, as opposed to a semi-cylindrical shape.
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77 Takamine F-360S Seagull S6 Coastline Q1 Sekova OM G&L ASAT Classic Fender Am Std Telecaster Marlboro spruce/eirw dread Wrongbox Cigar Box Lap Steel |
#3
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Unfortunately there are no techs or luthiers in my area, but I'm up for doing the job myself. I have Dan Erlewines Fret Basics DVD, and I'm a jeweller/tool maker by trade. I think I'll eventually do a full refret with stainless wire, but I'd like to have a go at levelling and crowning as a precursor to that. I love the feel of the neck and frets as they are, but there are a few areas that see more action than others. Hopefully, after levelling they won't be below .030". Bong.
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GSRC 354ceL30 Baby Mahogany Fender American Deluxe Ash Stratocaster |