Frets wear down over time. Strings press into the same spots over and over, and eventually the frets you play most get grooves and flat spots. The result is buzz on some notes, notes that die out early, and bends that choke out. If a guitar setup hasn’t fixed the problem, the frets are usually the cause.
A fret level, crown, and polish brings every fret back to the same height and shape. It’s one of the best ways to bring a well-played guitar back to life without replacing frets.
Signs your frets need work
- Buzzing strings on certain frets even after a setup
- Notes that “fret out” or die when you bend
- Visible grooves or dents under the strings, especially in the first five frets
- One or two frets that sit higher than the rest
- Frets that feel flat and rough instead of smooth and rounded
- You can’t get the action as low as you’d like without buzz
What a fret level includes
- Inspection of the neck and every fret, with the neck adjusted straight
- Leveling the tops of the frets so they’re all even
- Recrowning each fret back to a rounded top so notes ring true
- Polishing the frets smooth so bends feel slick
- Cleaning the fretboard and conditioning rosewood or ebony boards
- New strings and a full setup: neck relief, action, and intonation
When the frets are too far gone
Sometimes frets are worn too low to level. We’ll check fret height before we start and give you a straight answer. If leveling won’t do the job, we’ll tell you so you can decide what’s worth doing on that guitar.
Pair it with fret end work
If your fret ends feel sharp along the edge of the neck, we can take care of that at the same time. See sharp fret end dressing.
Why frets wear unevenly
Most players spend most of their time in the first few frets, playing open chords and riffs. Those frets take the most wear, while the frets higher up barely get touched. Over the years that creates uneven heights across the neck. Heavier strings, hard picking, and lots of bending speed it up. Basses and acoustics wear too, just in different spots. A level evens all of that out so the whole neck plays the same.
Drop off in Redding
Fret work is done in the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Turnaround is usually a few days depending on how busy we are, and we’ll give you a time when you drop off. We serve players across our service area, including Anderson, Shasta Lake, Palo Cedro, Bella Vista, and Cottonwood.
Fret Level and Polish questions
How do I know if I need a fret level instead of a setup?
If a setup doesn't fix buzzing on certain frets, or you can see flat spots and grooves under the strings, the frets themselves are uneven. That's when a fret level helps. We'll check it and tell you which one you need.
Will a fret level wear out my frets?
It removes a small amount of fret material, just enough to make them even. Most frets have plenty of height for at least one level, and we'll tell you up front if yours are too low.
Does a fret level include a setup?
Yes. After the frets are leveled and polished we restring the guitar and do a full setup so it plays right when you pick it up.