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Little Fret Levelers
http://mowrystrings.luthiersforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10102&t=13331		 Page 1 of 2
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:50 am ]
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This is a coffee cup full of little aluminum fret levelers. It is such a simple tool, no one has put a picture up until now. I have one ten inch, one four inch, the rest are all 6 and 8 inches.

They slide under the string at tension to level the frets and progress through the grits to get 'em smooth. Evan and Rick had a couple threads going which talk about them. This is just a visual aid for slow learners like me.......   



Just release the truss rod to flat then you begin your efforts to level sand the frets under full string tension. as Evan said: It's so fast it's scary. You may want to start out on an old junker before moving to your nice hand-builts.







Refer to the other two threads for details. I used some 6" Mirka sanding discs to get the grit I needed. Rick uses rolls to get the length needed.
Author:  Rick Turner [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 5:59 am ]
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Yep, that's it. Thanks, Bruce.
Author:  Barry Daniels [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:04 am ]
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I still don't get it. Why worry about the truss rod with such a short leveler?
Author:  James Orr [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:15 am ]
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It makes sense that if you're trying to level, start with a level surface. It
takes a few seconds to adjust the rod, so why not?
Author:  Evan Gluck [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 6:42 am ]
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Awesome Bruce, what depth cup do you use to hold these and do you think the material of the cup affects the tone?
How is that for over thinking?
Best, Evan
Author:  psl53 [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:49 am ]
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[QUOTE=Evan Gluck]Awesome Bruce, what depth cup do you use to hold these and do you think the material of the cup affects the tone?
How is that for over thinking?
Best, Evan[/QUOTE]



Peter
Author:  James Orr [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 9:18 am ]
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Hesh, you've got it. Use a straight edge along the fretboard to make sure
it's level before fretting.

I'm not sure I understand the question about seeing a description of the
entire procedure using the levelers. Do you mean using the levelers
themselves, or the steps you posted?
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 12:57 pm ]
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Hesh, I simply point you to the comment Rick made in the other thread. Just do it.   

I think the reason no one ever posted pics is that they are almost self-explanatory.

Once I made them, it was a real let down to actually use them. All the mystery was gone! I can now level anyfret anywhere anyhow!

Couple this with my old Stanley #5 body wrapped in sandpaper to level fretboards before fretting and geeze, necks, fretboards and leveling is a breeze.

Matter of fact this is somewhat of the feeling I get when all the planets align. Oh my.
Author:  Rick Turner [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:00 pm ]
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Too much thinking...

The Force...the Force!
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 1:37 pm ]
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Ahhhh, Star Wars.

"Use the Force Luke, use the Force!"

Okay, on that one I'm retiring to my bed, my pillow, my kevers and me pooch asleep by me feets.
Author:  old man [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:03 pm ]
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I have another question, please:

On a new guitar, do you do this right after stringing it up or would it make sense to leave the guitar strung up to full tension for a couple of weeks to see if it has settled down?

Ron
Author:  Rick Turner [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:36 pm ]
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Ron, if you can afford to have a guitar hang around for a couple of weeks, then yes, it makes sense to do this when the guitar has gotten used to being a guitar...a little bit. I'm generally in a place where it has to ship within a couple of days of getting strung up.
Author:  Rick Turner [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 2:38 pm ]
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But then I've only been posting here for a couple of months, so you should probably disregard what I have to say... :-)
Author:  Anthony Z [ Wed Aug 22, 2007 8:08 pm ]
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[QUOTE=Rick Turner] But then I've only been posting here for a couple of months, so you should probably disregard what I have to say... :-)[/QUOTE]

I haven't been online or posting much of late but I can assure you Rick that when I do pop on, I've been looking for your posts. I really appreciate you being here!

Bruce -- great pictures! Hesh thanks for breaking down the steps with your question. I think I got it!! Thanks
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 1:10 am ]
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[QUOTE=Evan Gluck] Awesome Bruce, what depth cup do you use to hold these and do you think the material of the cup affects the tone?
Best, Evan[/QUOTE]
Evan, I don't think you or Bruce have thought this through. This is the only cup you should use to store the fret levelers in. It,s the proper depth and the material is guaranteed to improve the sound of anu guitar.
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 2:47 am ]
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Actually, I dug the cup in question out of the trash.

It was my favorite coffee cup.

No one told me it got broken, but the handle was missing.

And one more piece of trash in the bucket, it would have been gone forever. I would not have see it.

So, that cup has sentimental value and I will ease it down to the shop today to find it's place on my cluttered bench, along with the little turner fret levelers.

By the way Rick. Did you know you have a link on my website and have had for years, along with a few others? www.dickeyguitars.com Oh and while I'm at it. That picture of you at Healdsburg, gosh I had no idea you were so handsome, a lady killer!   
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 3:20 am ]
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Is the the official name for these "The little Turner fret levelers"? I like it. It has a nice ring to it. Hope thats okay with Mr Turner.
Author:  Todd Rose [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:26 am ]
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Hesh, one thing I'm pretty sure Rick said in one of the other threads is that, on a new guitar, he levels the frets before stringing it up (as the rest of us have already been doing). Then he strings it up and uses these "Turner fret levelers" to do a final leveling, if necessary. My understanding was that he sometimes finds it's not necessary to do it at all, i.e. that the frets check out level when the string tension is on and the truss rod is adjusted to re-straighten the neck.     
Author:  Dave Rickard [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 4:56 am ]
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"Turner Fret levelers" it is
Author:  Bruce Dickey [ Thu Aug 23, 2007 5:00 am ]
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No guys, Little Turner Fret Levelers.

The 3/4" ones he mentioned of course would appropriately be "Big Little Turner Fret Levelers". Most likely to be used on a bass guitar.

I've also learned something that will apply to my old Stanley 5 Plane body that I use for leveling fretboards ala Frank Ford. PSA (peel and stick adhesive sandpaper)

It's the simple things we learn hanging out together that are so valuable.
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