A fret level is one of the more misunderstood repairs in guitar work — and one of the most noticeable improvements you can make to playability. Here's how to tell if yours needs one.
What a Fret Level Is
Fret leveling is the process of making all the frets on a guitar the same height. Over time — or sometimes right from the factory — individual frets can sit higher or lower than their neighbors. A high fret catches the string before it should, causing buzz or dead notes at that position. Leveling removes material from the high frets until everything is even, then recrowns and polishes each fret so the string seats correctly.
It's a precision job. Done right, it's one of the most noticeable improvements you can make to a guitar's playability.
Signs Your Guitar Needs a Fret Level
Buzz or dead notes at specific frets. If you're getting buzz or a choked-out note at the same fret every time — and it happens on multiple strings at that position — a high fret is the likely cause. This is different from general buzz caused by low action or neck relief, which tends to be more widespread. See: What Is Fret Buzz and How Do I Fix It.
Buzz that a setup doesn't fix. If you've had the guitar set up and the buzz came back, or if the tech couldn't get the action low enough without buzz appearing at specific spots, uneven frets are probably the reason. A setup adjusts the neck and saddle around the frets. It can't fix the frets themselves.
Notes that fret out when bending. Bending a string and having it go dead mid-bend — the note cuts out instead of sustaining — is a classic sign of a high fret sitting just above where the string is bending to. Common on guitars that see a lot of lead playing.
Frets that are visibly uneven. Run your fingernail lightly along the frets from the first to the last. If you feel a fret that's noticeably higher than its neighbors, you've found it. You can also sight down the neck from the headstock and look for frets that catch the light differently.
A guitar that's never been leveled. Most production guitars — even good ones — come from the factory with frets that are close but not perfect. If you've had a guitar for years and it's never had fret work, there's a reasonable chance it would play better with a level. In Upstate New York, seasonal humidity swings can move frets over time — a guitar that was fine when you bought it may not be now.
What a Fret Level Doesn't Fix
A fret level won't fix a neck that needs a truss rod adjustment, a nut that's cut wrong, or a saddle that's too low. Those are separate issues. If your guitar has multiple problems, a full setup addresses the neck, nut, and saddle first — fret work comes after, if it's still needed. We always do it in that order.
How Much Fret Life Is Left
Fret leveling removes material. Frets can only be leveled so many times before they're too short to crown properly and need to be replaced entirely. Before recommending a level, we check fret height to make sure there's enough material to work with. If the frets are already worn low, a refret is the better investment. We'll tell you which one makes sense before we do anything.
Bring It In
If your guitar has buzz at specific frets, notes that die on bends, or a setup that never quite solved the problem, it's worth having the frets checked.
Paul's Guitar Hideout is located at The Shirt Factory in Glens Falls, NY. Use the Cooper Street entrance and take the stairs up. If you need assistance, give us a call and we'll come down.
The Shirt Factory
71 Lawrence St., Suite 201B, 2nd Floor
Glens Falls, NY 12801
Wednesday–Sunday, 12–5pm
(518) 217-8695 · info@paulsguitarhideout.com