Zero Frets: How to Treat Them When Levelling Frets

Zero frets are all well and good but what happens when you need to level or refret a guitar with one? How do you handle a zero fret during fret-work?

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes17 September 2019frets, refret, fret level, zero fret, repair, setup, guitar, bass

Fitting Nuts: Pre-Shaped Nuts Part 2 - Installation

Installing a pre-cut/pre-shaped nut requires a lot of patience to do well. It’s easy to hack off some bits and glue it in but, doing it well and getting a good setup… that takes time and some Buddha-like levels of patience.

Most of the nut manufacturers don’t tell you that. Go figure.

Check out how to get a great result…

SetupGerry Hayes25 February 2019nuts, nut, upgrade, repair, guitar, bass, tusq, setup, frets, fingerbaord, fretboard

All about the frets

So, we're rounding out our discussions on frets. We've covered a lot and it makes sense to finish off with a quick and dirty round-up of some of the relevant properties of frets.

Read on for more…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes19 February 2018frets, refret, fret level, fret size

The Great Big Gibson Fret Nib Debate

Gibson has installed binding with small 'nibs' at each of the fret-ends for years. This doesn't really serve any functional purpose but is mainly aesthetic. Nothing wrong with that but, when it comes time for a refret, it poses a bit of a problem.

Check it out…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes12 February 2018frets, refret, gibson, binding, fret-ends, fret-nibs, guitar, bass, opinion

The Pros and Cons of a Partial Refret

Replacing only a couple of the most worn frets on your guitar can sound like a fantastic solution to get fret wear sorted and save some cash to boot. And sometimes it is.

However, here's what you should know about a partial refret…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes29 January 2018frets, refret, fret level, guitar, bass, repair, setup, neck, fingerboard

When you shouldn't setup your guitar

There are times that I will advise a player AGAINST having their guitar setup. There are times when every repairer/tech should do this.

Find out why…

SetupGerry Hayes15 January 2018frets, refret, fret level, setup, guitar, bass, action, relief, fret wear, intonation

Brian May and the Zero Fret Controversy

After the last article on fret wear, I was surprised to get some responses refuting my statement that a zero fret would (all things being equal) wear more quickly than other frets.

It seems that Brian May is partly to blame for this. Well, not quite. Check it out…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes8 January 2018frets, refret, zero fret, fret level, brian may, red special, premier guitar, wear, fret wear, detective, guitar, bass

Frets are consumables

Frets don't last forever. They're essentially a consumable item; designed to wear and expire as they're used.

Recognise the signs of fret-wear and a couple of things that will speed it.

Click to read more…

Guitar RepairGerry Hayes4 December 2017frets, refret, fret level, crown, setup, guitar, bass, neck, fingerboard, intonation, fret wear

Setup a Compound Radius Guitar

While most guitars have a single radius along the length of the fingerboard, a compound radius instrument has a radius that gradually increases/flattens as you go further up the neck.

Some players find these a godsend but they do require some different methods to set them up and to perform fretwork on them.