TELE NECK WORK ADVICE

  • Thread starter Thread starter Old Music Guy
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Old Music Guy

Old Music Guy

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I'm selling my favorite Tele. A USA LTD beauty. I have a Chinese Firefly that I bought on a whim for short $. I will preface this with by saying I have done fret/neck work in the past, I have all the necessary tools, and have had very good success on my guitars and friends guitars.
Facts:: the neck on the Firefly is a total wreck. 1. Frets need leveling, 2. the fretboard ends needs to be rolled, 3. the frets ends need to be filed (razor blades right now), 4. crowned and 5. polished.
My question is: In what order should I go about it?
My gut says do it in the order I laid out, but if that isn't the best way, I would welcome tips.
Bear in mind that I'm not working on a $$$ Tele, but I would like to make it as playable as I can. I hate to sell my guy, but...
Advice is welcome
 
I've done fairl limited fretwork myself (and learned on my favorite strat, after I wasn't happy with the crowning on a refret job but for various reasons didn't want to push about having it redone). I'll confess I was surprised it required far fewer sacrifices of small barnyard animals than it did, and I'm extremely happy with the results.

The one thing I didn't have to do was roll edges, so I have no clue where that falls - I would have thought before the frets were installed I guess, but I don't really know. Maybe careful sanding as either #1 or 2? Everything else I think your order is sound.
 
Did you check out Stew Mac and see if they had any decent vids or papers on the topic?
 
I saw a good number of videos on it. The one I referenced above was good.
I have the neck off now, and have been contemplating :unsure:
I think I have a plan. First, get rid of the sharp edges; radius the fretboard corners; and smooth the fret edges. Then, I'll do the leveling, crown and polish.
Kinda like washing a car: start at the top
 
I would have leveled the frets first, then polish, and do the fret edges last. I don't know if makes a big difference, but you don't want to have to go back after you do the leveling and crowning.
 
Old Music Guy said:
I'm selling my favorite Tele. A USA LTD beauty. I have a Chinese Firefly that I bought on a whim for short $. I will preface this with by saying I have done fret/neck work in the past, I have all the necessary tools, and have had very good success on my guitars and friends guitars.
Facts:: the neck on the Firefly is a total wreck. 1. Frets need leveling, 2. the fretboard ends needs to be rolled, 3. the frets ends need to be filed (razor blades right now), 4. crowned and 5. polished.
My question is: In what order should I go about it?
My gut says do it in the order I laid out, but if that isn't the best way, I would welcome tips.
Bear in mind that I'm not working on a $$$ Tele, but I would like to make it as playable as I can. I hate to sell my guy, but...
Advice is welcome
Click to expand...
Why are you selling your favorite guitar? As for the Firefly - Fretboard first - fret ends second - Crowed and Leveled then Polished.
 
Being who I am, (bored) I took a soft sanding block with 400 & 600 grit, and ran it gently up and down the neck at a 45o angle. The sharp fret edges are gone AND I got a nice little radius on the fretboard. Very smooth, very subtle, and quite comfortable.
I did a quick check on the fret level the other night, and there are only "a few" that need work, though I know I need to do the entire neck to get it totally level. That's next.
But I'm quite happy with the results with just a few minutes of sanding.
 
Papanate said:
Why are you selling your favorite guitar?
Click to expand...
That's a very good question, to which I really don't have a very good answer. Suffice it to say that I have 13 guitars (?) of all qualities and breeds. I can't possibly play them all.
This one I'm working on will be just fine at the end of the day. I'm not a gigging musician. My good Tele needs to go to someone who will play it as it should be played.
I just sold my Taylor. That was nice, but not practical. So I took that $$$ and bought a PRS which I adore. I have several Epiphones (LP, Casino, Emperor II) that keep me satisfied. I also have a Strat that I built from parts that's pretty awesome.
Let's just say I have what I want and need, and it's time to cull the herd.
 
BTW: If anyone is interested in a killer Tele, DM me for details. It listed on RVB
 
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