Fret Level Job

[FC]

How much should I expect to pay for a fret level job? I have a few frets on my Indie that I have confirmed to be severely uneven, to the point that I cannot play anything above the 14th fret unless I have 1/4" action. The neck is fairly straight though.

[GPW]

  FC, a Good fret level job should only take an hour of tech time ... whatever their rate is ...   Not a difficult job , but must be done carefully , with a little fret re-dressing thrown in ...   You may , or may not, only need what’s called “spot leveling “  which is considerably quicker and cheaper ...   no use leveling all the frets for just a few offenders...

[FC]

  FC, a Good fret level job should only take an hour of tech time ... whatever their rate is ...   Not a difficult job , but must be done carefully , with a little fret re-dressing thrown in ...   You may , or may not, only need what’s called “spot leveling “  which is considerably quicker and cheaper ...   no use leveling all the frets for just a few offenders...

Spot leveling, that is what I need. I think...

[Mr. Big]

I agree 1/4 action is too high.

Just reworking the neck is smart.

Have somebody change all or most of the frets
and ask 119 seems cheap, but not what you
want.

Just tell them I need better playability above 14
I always play 15 and up to 19 or whatever.

I have heard techs complain that all 24 on all
6 strings is a joke on some guitars.

If it has 24 and you need all 24 a new neck might
be in order.

If you just need 22 they can skip 23 and if you
don't need above 19 on the first 3 strings
you can get a 24 fret neck done, possibly
even scalloped for 50 bucks.

Any pics?  Generic is ok.

[Sven]

I don't know good of a job they would have done, but I got quoted $20.00 to have the whole neck looked at and any annoying frets filed down.

I had already spent too much money trying to get the neck in order (fret buzz everywhere) and bought another guitar, so I just threw it in a corner and forgot about it. I probably might get it fixed this year (maybe). 

[GPW]

  QUOTE:  " but I got quoted $20.00 to have the whole neck looked at and any annoying frets filed down.”
    That’s what we call a “spot-level” job ...   Just what’s Needed !!!       That’s a reasonable price too,  Sven... 


   If anyone would like to try and learn to do their own spot leveling , or general fret leveling ,  it’s really not that difficult to do...     Just another “procedure” to be followed...  and I’m guessing there are a bunch of videos on You Tube how to do this ... much as everything else ...

[FC]

OK, so it turns out the frets are not the problem. I have two problems and I now understand once it was explained to me. The first problem is the nut that is way too high (and you can see it) on the low E side and too low in the center. Adjusting the action for the low E bottoms out the middle strings. Adjusting for the middle strings makes the low E way too high. The other problem are the saddles that may have a similar issue. I drop it off at my local mom and pops shop but the tech was already gone. They will call me today or tomorrow with the cost to fix it.

[GPW]

   FC, sounds like the whole guitar just really needs a good and proper set-up ...  a good tech can make most any guitar play well ... once “adjusted” ...     

[FC]

   FC, sounds like the whole guitar just really needs a good and proper set-up ...  a good tech can make most any guitar play well ... once “adjusted” ...     

I had it setup by another shop and the guy told me that it needed a full fret dressing. He totally missed this one as the frets seem to be OK.

[GPW]

  FC, any Luthiers in your area?   

[FC]

  FC, any Luthiers in your area?   

Yeah, there are a few boutique guitar makers ($^ⁿ).

[GPW]

  Although you’ll pay a Little more , a Luthier will set it up to play as Best as possible , and to suit your playing style ...   May be worth it if you’re serious...  They are !!!      Find one you can talk to ...  (friendly and knowledgable )

[FC]

Not a little more! This one guy in Ft. Lauderdale said somewhere between 200 and 500 bucks. With 500 I get another awesome Indie guitar. Another want it to PLEK it for 285. Right now I am changing the nut and getting a new setup, if that doesn't work I will be buying another guitar.

[GPW]

   Whoa , those are just CRAZY prices ...         Forget those guys !!! ...       Worse comes to worse , you can do everything yourself ...  Not hard , and we can help ..  won’t cost anything more than your time and patience...   Interested??? 
     

[FC]

   Whoa , those are just CRAZY prices ...         Forget those guys !!! ...       Worse comes to worse , you can do everything yourself ...  Not hard , and we can help ..  won’t cost anything more than your time and patience...   Interested??? 
     

Thanks man, I'll pick up my guitar today or tomorrow and depending how it turns up I may take you up on the offer. +1.