How to Replace Frets on a Classical Guitar
Classical guitars differ from other guitars in that they have wider necks. Classical guitars are also made of quality woods that are often susceptible to damage if not cared for properly. After a vast amount of playing on a guitar, the frets become worn. When frets are too low or have marks in them from the strings, the intonation of the instrument is affected, or the strings buzz from bouncing on the fret board. Replace the frets on your classical guitar with the right tools and the aid of an experienced luthier.
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Things You'll Need
- Fret wire
- End Nippers
- Air hose
- Feeler gauge
- Fret wire nippers
- Fret hammer
- Flat mill file
Instructions
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1
Remove the existing frets with a set of end nippers, which grab the fret underneath the crown, or the top part of the fret you see on the fret board. Move from one end of the fret to the other until the fret is lifted from its slot.
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2
Clean the fret slots with an air hose. Place a feeler gauge in the open slots to determine what size tang, or the piece of the fret that goes inside the slot, you require.
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3
Cut strips of fret wire from a coil. Cut the piece slightly longer than you need for your frets. Cut each edge of only the tang with fret wire nippers, which allows the fret to sit inside the binding on the edges of the fret board. File the edges of the crown so the fret will sit flush with the binding.
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4
Support the neck of your guitar with a clamp or neck supporter. Place the frets inside the slots and hammer in place with a fret hammer. Tap from one side to another after you have the tang in place. Continue going back and forth until the fret is seated in the slot. Hammer in one fret at a time.
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5
Cut the last fret, which is only for a portion of the fret board because it goes around the top of the sound hole. Remove the tang on the end that goes closest to the sound hole. Put the fret it its slot and mark where you need to cut the wire. Cut accordingly and sand down to be flush with the fret board.
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6
File and bevel the ends of the frets with a flat mill file.
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Tips & Warnings
Use a soldering iron to heat the existing frets if you are having difficulty removing them. Touch the iron only to the crown of the fret.
The right size tang makes a difference; if the tang is too small or short, the fret can lift out of its slot.
Do not trim the tang on either side of the fret wire if your guitar does not have binding.
Replacing the frets on a guitar can be a damaging process if not performed correctly.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
