Compression Fretting Question

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Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Compression Fretting Question

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

I've replaced a fretboard on a guitar that requires compression fretting. I'm satisfied with the neck relief. How do I level the frets with a neck relief?
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
tippie53
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Location: Hegins, Pa
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Re: Compression Fretting Question

Post by tippie53 »

you need to have the weight on the guitar to adjust relief. If you are happy with relief at say 12 lb of weight on the body with the head stock supporter , you then adjust the weight to where you get the neck straight.

When I do a compression fret job I rely on the weight to let me make my adjustments. As I am doing this I am looking for a slight back now to show. I want to see about .009 thou back bend. Then I string it up and let the barbs seat for a few days then make adjustments .

To level once I am happy with the seated frets I than add the weight to get to as straight as possible. Or if I need to tweak the relief I can add or subtract weight to get the relief where I want it.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Compression Fretting Question

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Thank you John. I saw your video from 2013 ASIA, so I followed directions. I had to make a couple of adjustments, but now it seems to be settling in. I think I need to get a different type of weight, though, in the form of a flat bar, so I can level the frets with it.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
tippie53
Posts: 7011
Joined: Fri Mar 03, 2006 7:09 pm
Location: Hegins, Pa
Contact:

Re: Compression Fretting Question

Post by tippie53 »

I use lead shot now 2 bags total about 12 lb
I use a flat bar to level frets that is 16 in long I use 220 grit on one side to rough down and 320 on the other.
treat nut to body joint as one then body joint fret to last fret so you have about a .010 fall of on the body.
John Hall
Blues Creek Guitars Inc
Authorized CF Martin Repair Center
president of Association of Stringed Instrument Artisans
http://www.bluescreekguitars.com
Diane Kauffmds
Posts: 3246
Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2014 8:13 pm

Re: Compression Fretting Question

Post by Diane Kauffmds »

Thank you John. I wasn't sure how to handle the neck relief once the fretting was done.
Diane Kauffmann
Country Roads Guitars
countryroadsguitars@gmail.com
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