Has anyone made an under string fret levelling tool?
What did you make it out of? How'd you make it? How does it work?
DIY under string fret leveller
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Barry Daniels
- Posts: 3223
- Joined: Thu Jan 05, 2012 10:58 am
- Location: The Woodlands, Texas
Re: DIY under string fret leveller
I have not used one but the late Rick Turner use to talk about using an aluminum extrusion in the shape of a right angle to make understring levelers. I think he use a 3/4" by 3/4" angle. However, I always had conceptual issues with the idea. An advantage of understring levels is that they level with string being tensioned which I accomplish by using a string tension compensation jig. Disadvantages are that you can only level under one string at a time which could create facets or unevenness in the fret radius. Another disadvantage is that the level cannot address the first few frets to the extent that the middle and upper frets will be leveled. This is because the nut will prevent the full movement of the level.
Most luthiers get along fine by leveling with a beam on an unstrung fretboard. But this will be difficult if you have a neck without an adjustable truss rod. In that situation you really need a string tension jig. But understring leveling might be an acceptable compromise.
Most luthiers get along fine by leveling with a beam on an unstrung fretboard. But this will be difficult if you have a neck without an adjustable truss rod. In that situation you really need a string tension jig. But understring leveling might be an acceptable compromise.
MIMF Staff