How to dress frets?

I don't' remember reading anything here on doing this necessary job.

How and what tools are used to perform this task?
Jeweller's file? Emery cloth?
My concern is avoiding filing little nicks and grooves in the fongerboard.

TIA for any help with this.

FWIW Roger S charges $400 for a fret dressing...worth every penny too.

How to dress frets? In small sundresses and hats with dots. Not too many tools required, though a safety pin sometimes helps. Emery cloth is fine but I wouldn't wear it before labor day; stick with 100% cotton.

It's much harder than some may think to do right and I can personally attest to the fact that buying the appropriate tools alone will cost you more than taking it to a competent tech to do. I was taught the craft at the American School of
Luthiery by Roger Sadowsky about 4 years ago and I've been perfecting my skills ever since yet I really don't have the confidence level in my own abilities enough to take in fret dressing on anyone else's bass for a fee.

It's really an art form that requires great care, skill and most of all experience. I have progressed beyond that "Beater" practice neck long ago and work on my own basses all the time though...it's a "tweak" that I enjoy but unless you want to make the investment in the proper tools and practice, practice, practice.

Steve "Dude" Barr http://www.TheDudePit.com

You can get all the files and fingerboard guards (I use masking tape myself) as well as books and even a video on how to do this here:
http://www.stewmac.com

Steve "Dude" Barr http://www.TheDudePit.com

Hi "Ron" :o)
Definetly check out Stew mac as others have suggested.
They have fongerboad guards and all the tools you'll need.
I'm a big fan of using a dremel and a polishing wheel with some

Man, O man!

Just food for thought. I had my strat neck planed and refretted by a luthier (who makes a fantastic guitar) and it cost me $250 Cdn; he doesn't have much overhead which could be the bulk of the difference for the higher prices. >

Jimmy at NY Guitar and Bass Boutique is going to refret an old Gibson
Les Paul for about $400. He's at 9th Ave. and 50th St., and I don't know if he has as much as 500 ft2.

Depends on where you're taking them. In the evening, a *little black dress*, pearls, 4" spike heeled strappy sandals will do the trick. In the daytime, probably a halter top and short cutoffs are okay...

(Just got out of Linny's thread about sexing a bass and I haven't made the switch back to normal yet)

Cheap practice instraments are in order.
Fret work scares the crap outta this guy.

Okay, thanks guys.

I think that I'll take the bass to the luthier, it's a bit too delicate a job for this guy, although I do like the idea of using masking tape on the fongerboard.

Yup...great advise! When I first started doing fretwork I found an old beatup
Mexican Fender Jazz neck with a busted truss rod from a friend for free as a practice neck. It's for sure not something you want to attempt with a 12" Mill
Bastard.

Steve "Dude" Barr http://www.TheDudePit.com

O< "In a Tux of course." /()

I do my own as taught to me BY Roger Sadowsky. Roger charges $400 for a complete refret, neck trueing and refret NOT just a fret dressing which your tech charges $65 for. Apples &amp; oranges.

Steve "Dude" Barr http://www.TheDudePit.com