Fret Level + Dress Tool Set – StewMac

Fret Level + Dress Tool Set

Want to do your own fret work?
Missing that ultra-smooth glide your frets had when they were new? This complete set of tools makes it easy to get that feel again.

Fret dressing can be a real chore if you’re just getting started. The trouble is that it’s easy to go too far and ruin a fret, which means re-leveling an entire fretboard all over again. This set of tools is hand-picked by our techs to simplify the process of dressing and polishing your frets to a mirror shine!

Now you can get rid of dips, dives, and scratches in your frets and improve the way your guitar plays at the same time. It‘s a great way to breathe new life into your favorite axe!

The Fret Level + Dress Tool Set includes:

Stewmac 9″ Fretbar + 2 String Jacks Also sold separately
The Fretbar is one of our favorite all-around fret leveling tools. You can use it with the strings on or off, and the precision-ground surface is dead flat to quickly and accurately to get frets level. It has the perfect weight and size to make the job easy.

Even tricky necks are not a problem with the Fretbar. When used under the strings, with the guitar tuned to pitch, you’ll level the frets under real playing conditions. Because the neck is under tension, you’ll clearly see every hump, twist, high or low spot. With the Fretbar you’ll level the frets without worry or any “surprises” that pop up after the job.

3M Stikit Gold Abrasives Also sold separately
This specialty sandpaper cuts like a file, lasts longer than regular sandpaper, and is sized to stick right to the 1″ width of each Fretbar. It’s the same professional sandpapers we use to quickly and cleanly level frets, and to remove the scratches before you recrown and polish.

Each set includes one 15-yard roll of 320-grit Stikit, the right grit to level frets fast. More grits are available separately.

3M Polishing Papers Also sold separately
These 3M finishing papers behave more like ‘finishing fabric’. The sheets conform to any surface and you can use them just like cloth—wet or dry! Because of their flexibility they’re great for polishing frets, but they also work on finishes, plastic pickguards, pearl inlays, and more. Just go through the grits for a mirror shine!

Each set includes six 8.5″ x 11″ sheets, two of each grit: 400, 600, and 800-grits. More grits are available separately.

Micro-Mesh Foam Sanding Block Also sold separately
This block is the perfect density for polishing: firm but soft. It’s a flexible, rubber pad that is purpose-built for uniform polishing, letting you really get good contact with the frets, without causing dents or dings.

Gurian 3-in-1 Crowning File Also sold separately
When we’re asked to recommend just one fret file, it’s gotta be the 3-in-1. The angle in the shaft lifts the handle up away from the guitar, protecting the top, and giving you the perfect angle to work. And with 3 interchangeable cutters it works for all fret widths, from basses to mandolins.

Getting Serious about fret work? Get the Deluxe Set
When you’re ready to dive deeper into the craft, check out the Fret Level + Dress Deluxe Tool Set. It takes this set to the next level with the 18″ Fretbar, more grits of sandpaper and polishing papers, and an ultra-fast diamond coated Z-File.

Works on stainless frets, too!
All of our tools are suitable for use on stainless-steel fretwire*. Modern stainless-steel fretwire is known to be harder than the traditional nickel-silver blends, but our own shop experience indicates the wire does not cause premature wear of files or sandpapers.
*Excludes our original Fret Tang Nippers. We recommend our Deluxe Fret Tang Nippers for stainless-steel fretwire.