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I picked up a little all-mahogany Alvarez a few weeks ago, and have been tinkering around with the set-up, and correcting little flaws on the guitar. The guitar sounds great, but what it lacks is fit and finish. I just recently noticed that the frets are a mess; I don't think they were crowned at all(!) at the factory (somewhere in Asia). I've been getting more and more involved in doing my own work recently (making nuts, saddles, etc.), and would like to try my hand at crowning the frets on this guitar. Can anyone recommend one of Stew-Mac's (or another supplier's) files or file sets for crowning? And is there a site that gives tips on how-to?

Thanks in advance,
Ken

Hi Ken,

A while ago SMac had a "Fretting Kit" in the catalog...they sell everything separately, but this was a bundled thing at a slight savings...it's a good start, especially if you don't have anything at present...I might upgrade to a diamond leveler tho...

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http://www.presnallguitars.com

I used a 3 corner file for a while, then I switched to the offset Gurian file, but I absolutely fell in love with the Stew-Mac offset diamond file. It works in both directions and is so quick it is scary. Get the fine grit one as I think the coarse would go through the frets in a hurry. As for advice I guess one of Dan Erlewines books or videos would be a good help. I had been doing fretwork for a long while before I found them but they gave me so many new ideas. It cut my time for a full refret in 1/2. Time is money

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http://www.NewYorkGuitarRepair.com

If you haven't gone through his few refret articles you should go to Frank
Ford's excellent websitefrets.com, it's a
must. I use the Gurian offset file because it's fairly cheap and has 3 size
files, but a diamond one must be cool. Otherwise a 3 corners file with one
corner grinded, a flat 10" bastard file, 320 & 600 sandpaper and 0000 steel
wool are all you need.

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Laurent Brondel
West Paris, Maine - USA
http://www.laurentbrondel.com/

Take a leftover piece of fretboard 1/4" sqare by 7" or so and carve a channel into it in the curved shape of a crowned fret. glue a strip of 320 or so paper inside the channel only and Walla!, you got a crowning tool.
works for me.

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

I use my fret file with some fine grit paper wraped around to do the final polishing, you know 600 grit, than 800 than 1500 than to the wheel.

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"There's really no wrong way, as long as the results are what's desired." Charles Fox

"We have to constantly remind ourselves what we're doing....No Luthier is putting a man on the moon!" Harry Fleishman

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Before you crown your frets you want to make sure they are level. You need two tools to properly set/check the levelness of the fret board and frets. One rule, that is notched, to read the fret board and the second, a straight edge to read the frets. Stewmac sells both. They are a little expensive but I think well worth the money. The notched rule will let you know whether you need to adjust your truss rod ( I like a perfectly straight f.b... others don't). Once you are comfortable with your fret board then check the frets for level ( hi-low spots). once the frets are level then you bring the just filed frets back to a crown leaving a hairline of level in the center of each. I use Stewmac's diamond file with the curved ends. Works great and the curve alows you to get into the frets when a plain old straight file would hit the body/top. There are many videos out there and all are good. I highly recommend Dan Erlewine's "Fret Basics" and the advanced fretting videos ( three in all ). WELL WORTH THE MONEY!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"

I did my first one with the Gurian file, but just wasn't comfortable with it. I just picked up the StewMac diamond offset file, and recently used it to fix up a Gibson Gospel I was getting rid of. It made the job sooooo much easier!

They are a little pricey, but I think they are worth it.

-Mark

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Either the Gurian or the Diamond. You need to find the crowning system you like. I like the Gurian. No pressure and it works well for crowning the tops.
Wade , what you are describing is leveling. The crowning is putting the round back on the top. Leveling is matching the radius of the fingerboard. Gurian has a crowning file with 2 sizes on it , one on each side.

Thanks to everyone for the tips. I had been to the frets.com site, but couldn't find (and still can't) much about crowning the frets. It doesn't seem that difficult, sort of intuitive, unless I'm missing something. I'll get the tool(s) on the way, and check back here and do some more searching. I won't be doing the work for at least a week.

Thanks again to everyone!
Ken

Sometimes my words can’t describe the intended object as well as an image.
I should have known. Sorry for such a bad description guys.

http://www.wadefx.com/crowntool.jpg

The idea for this tool is to install the abrasive to the inside of the channel, leaving the outer edge wood. That way you will only shape the fret and not your fingerboard.

I can't seem to get an image to upload btw.

Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

Thats a neat tool you made there Wade. I also like the Stew-Mac offset diamond file for crowning.

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Anderson Guitars
Clearwater,Fl. 33755

Wade, with that little tool you have officially entered the pantheon of Luthiery heroes. Guess what my job is tonight.

Colin.

PS if you build lutes and just use gut tied round the neck for frets, they don't need crowning and refrets are a doddle!

Colin

Colin S38708.234224537

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I don't believe in anything, I simply make use of a set of reasonable working hypotheses.

Hi Colin,
Thanks for getting that pic posted.
(Officially entered the pantheon of Luthiery heroes) I am deeply honored.
If you look close you can see I used double sticky tape to hold the paper in place. The curve continues on the other side as well. It’s not as slick as the Gurian or the Diamond systems I know but I like to make tools when possible.
Colin, I am still working on that guitar with the carved Rosette BTW. It’s not a Lute by any means but I hope to incorporate some construction elements from older instruments, In part inspired by you I might add.
Thanks again,
Wade

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Wade
Nashua, NH
http://www.wadefx.com

This is the one I use

This is the stew mac one...
I love it!

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Dave Bland

remember...

"If it doesn't play in tune...it's just pretty wood"