FRET CROWNING / FRET DRESSING
GMC Luthier Tools Fret Dressing Tools and Abrasives are purpose designed for dressing the levelled surface of the fret crown whilst restoring curvature to the fret sides. Correct dressing will reduce the width of the flat along the top of each fret that results from levelling. This is essential for good intonation. It is also critical that the heights of the fret are not altered by this process.
The tool features a safe gap design that protects the tops of the frets. When loaded with abrasive the concave profile on the underside applies pressure to the shoulders of the fret crown only. The gap in the centre of the tool spreads the abrasive either side of the fret and ensures that sanding pressure on the top of the fret is avoided. The tool will also dress sharp corners from fret end bevelling.
FRET CROWNING ABRASIVE
The tool is supplied with industrial emery abrasive (blue twill/cloth backed). The specific properties of industrial 'metalworking' emery enables high precision and smooth surface finish on the frets.
TOOL DESIGN
The underside of the tool has a concave pressure face. The abrasive is folded and inserted through the gap in the middle of the tool. The concave surfaces apply abrasive pressure to the sides of the frets only. The gap separates the abrasive above the crown which ensures that the tool doesn't grind away the tops of the frets creating unwanted fret buzz.
METHOD
For best practice, the abrasive should be trimmed to a neat edge by cutting along the bottom of the tool with some shears. A small shim is supplied to work the abrasive against the tool at each side of the gap.
As the abrasive wears, new emery can be fed through the tool. As a rough guide, each new abrasive portion will dress a single fret and 1-2 strips of abrasive will be required to complete a guitar.
As the emery becomes smoother, the fret will be polished with the same abrasive.
The tool is suitable for narrow to medium fret wire from 0.095" (2.4mm) up to 0.105" (2 .7mm) where moderate levelling has been performed. For use after heavy levelling, local filing of any prominent flatted areas will be beneficial before using the tool.
It is recommended to attach the fret guard to the board using two small strips of tape as shown in the photo and to utilise the elastic band where possible. The guard is made from malleable stainless steel and will flex to the radius of the board. The elastic band can be hooked underneath the corner notches clear of the tool.
Photograph showing frets before and after crowning with the tool.
PLEASE NOTE. This page is provided as a general guide and overview. Due to continuous improvements, products may differ slightly to the images shown. Please check the web-store product detail for up to date information on each item.