Fret dressing

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:32 pm

I put this thread in Others because it is about a Yamaha, but no one is responding, so I'll try here. Could someone explain how to do a minor fret dress. My acoustic needed strings, and while I was cleaning it up, I noticed a need to dress the frets up a bit. I could take it in, but with all this expertise, I figured I'd see if it is something I could do myself. It is not an expensive acoustic, a Yamaha FG335II..

kcole4001 · Post by **kcole4001** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:40 pm

This is one thing I always leave to those skilled in such things.
That's not to say you shouldn't learn to do it yourself!

It's just that the last time I did my own, I was very careful, but at the very end of the job, the file slid a little too far and the tip of the file caught the tip of the lower horn on my 4000 & took a chip out of the finish down to bare wood!
It still really bugs me every time I see it, mainly because it was so preventable!

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Fri Jun 15, 2007 5:01 pm

Oh, and the neck is Rickenbacker straight. I assume it should have the normal minimal dip in the middle that I knew about before owning Ricks? And what do I use to clean the fretboard before oiling (lemon)?

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 1:34 pm

Sheesh, sorry I asked. I didn't realize the topic must be about trussrods to get 50 reponses.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:57 pm

Easy, Charlie. It would require a VERY long and detailed post, and without illustrations a lot of words would be required.

But HERE is a well-written article with some photos on how to do it.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Sat Jun 16, 2007 2:59 pm

Thank you sir, just a little frustrated as I put it in Others and got no responses. Sorry for being............

cheyenne · Post by **cheyenne** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:18 pm

Duct tape on a guitar finish??

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:30 pm

Yeah, well...some things I don't agree with...I prefer to use several thicknesses of blue 3M masking tape, 2" wide. But this stuff is $13.00 a roll, whereas ductape is about $3.00.

Ductape is OK for a polyurethane finished guitar, generally, though I'd never use it on any nitro finish. BUT never leave it on for longer than a day or two, and NEVER in bright sunlight...the plasticizers in the tape's adhesive will swell the polyurethane (conversion varnish) clear coat.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Mon Jun 18, 2007 12:33 pm

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 6:41 pm

I'm gonna give it a shot this weekend when I can pick some 400 grit. I already have the painters tape.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Tue Jun 19, 2007 7:01 pm

Charly, check your email.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 11:06 am

Well, it's a few weekends later, but I got it done today! They look great! I used 100 until the groove was gone, using the same pressure up and down the fretboard so they all should still be even. Then a little touch up side to side with the 400 and they look as good as new!

One more question, There is quite a bit of dirt build up on the fretboard. I am not sure what to use to clean it with. I do have lemon oil to put on after I clean it. I should have it strung up again by tonight if anyone isn't too busy on this holiday to answer.

charlyg · Post by **charlyg** » Wed Jul 04, 2007 3:43 pm

Well, I got it cleaned up and I only made one mistake! I didn;t pay attention and got extra lights! Yuk! No volume and no"volume". They are .010 - .047. I think I may need mediums, but I seem to recall these old ply-tops shouldn't go above lights? Is this true? It has been too long.