Guitar Fret Work & Refrets in Redding, CA
Worn, high, loose, or sharp frets. Leveling, polishing, end dressing, and refrets.
Frets wear down. Strings grind grooves in them, the tops go flat, and over time a few frets end up higher than the rest. That’s when you get buzz in one spot, notes that choke out on bends, or a guitar that won’t take low action.
Most of the time a fret level, crown, and polish brings the neck back. If the frets are too worn to level, a partial or full refret is the fix, and you can upgrade to stainless steel, EVO gold, or jumbo wire while you’re at it.
Redding’s hot, dry summers also shrink fingerboards, which leaves sharp fret ends sticking out of the neck. Fret end dressing takes care of that fast.
Bring it in and we’ll look over the frets and tell you what it actually needs.
Frets services
16 services. Don't see your problem? Call or text, we probably fix it.
Fret level
Level the tops of the frets so no single fret sits high and causes buzz or dead notes.
Sounds like: one fret buzzes, high fret, notes choke out, dead spots on neck, uneven frets
Full detailsFret crown
Reshape the tops of the frets after leveling so notes ring clear and intonation stays accurate.
Sounds like: flat frets, frets worn flat, notes sound dull, fret crown
Full detailsFret polish
Polish the frets smooth so bends feel slick and strings don't drag.
Sounds like: frets feel scratchy, bends feel rough, dull frets, shiny frets
Full detailsFret end dressing
File and round off the ends of the frets so the edges of the neck feel smooth.
Sounds like: sharp fret ends, frets cutting my hand, frets sticking out, rough neck edges
Full detailsFret sprout repair
Fix fret ends that poke out after the fingerboard dries and shrinks, a common problem in our dry summers.
Sounds like: fret sprout, fret ends poking out, neck dried out, frets stick out the side
Full detailsPartial refret
Replace only the worn frets, usually the first several, when the rest of the frets are still good. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: first frets worn, grooves in frets, divots in frets, worn frets cowboy chords
Full refret
Pull all the old frets and install new fret wire, then level, crown, and polish. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: frets worn out, need new frets, refret my guitar, frets too low to level
Stainless steel fret upgrade
Refret with stainless steel wire that lasts far longer and stays smooth for bends. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: stainless frets, frets that don't wear, upgrade frets, stainless steel refret
EVO gold fret upgrade
Refret with EVO gold fret wire for a harder wearing fret with a warm look. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: evo gold frets, gold frets, jescar evo, fret upgrade
Jumbo fret conversion
Refret with taller, wider jumbo wire for easier bends and a lighter touch. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: jumbo frets, bigger frets, taller frets, vintage frets too small
Fret reseating
Press or tap lifted frets back down into their slots so they stop buzzing.
Sounds like: fret lifting, loose fret, fret popping up, fret buzz one spot
Fret gluing
Glue loose frets in place so they stay seated and the neck rings clean.
Sounds like: loose frets, fret won't stay down, fret moves, glue frets
Fret slot cleaning
Clean out fret slots during fret work so new frets seat fully.
Sounds like: dirty fret slots, fret slots full of glue, frets won't seat
Fret slot recutting
Recut shallow or damaged fret slots so frets sit at the right depth.
Sounds like: fret slots too shallow, damaged fret slots, recut fret slots
Fret oxidation removal
Clean tarnish and grime off the frets so they look and feel smooth again.
Sounds like: dirty frets, tarnished frets, black frets, frets look green
Full detailsZero fret install
Install a zero fret behind the nut for even open string height and tone. Quoted after a look.
Sounds like: zero fret, add zero fret, open strings buzz at nut