You're now at 'advanced' level in you guitar repair technician skills. Not only will I explain the specialist trade tools for these skills, I'll also show you how to recognise when re-levelling is needed so you can make that informed decision to use those tools and tackle your own or others' pitted and worn guitar or bass frets.
In Module 5, 'Stone and Profile Frets', I'll also show you how to prepare the guitar or bass for 'stoning'. You'll learn how to actually stone the frets, re-crown the frets and bring the frets back to an ultra professional shine. You'll also see demonstrations on how to clean the fingerboard (it gets quite messy), what to do and what not to do. And you'll be taught why and how to lower the camber at the high end of Fender-style guitars (Fender-styles can have issues). We'll cover how to test the notes after 'stoning / re-profiling. And there are several things you need to do and definitely avoid doing - we'll go over those important points together.
Because stoning and re-profiling costs quite a lot for another technician to do it for you, it makes sense for you to be able to do this job yourself, particularly since you'll be needing it on more than a few occasions. This is one of those jobs that the general guitar-playing public wouldn't even 'have a go'; do a good job, get a reputation, develop your own style, and you'll be first recommended choice.
It's advisable to sign up to Module 2, 'Setups', if you haven't already done so, because you'll need to set the guitar up to test your work and to get it back to a 'playable' state once you've finished the stone and profile.
As with the other modules, there's loads to do in this one, and a great deal of satisfaction to be had from it. Complete the quizzes, download the resources and checklists, make notes and watch the videos. Practice on a cheap guitar in case it all goes wrong (and it's good experience if it does). And don't forget to ask questions if needed.
I'm looking forward to seeing you on the other side.
Kevin
