I’ve got the StewMac centered z-file, managed to achieve a very thin line on medium sized fret.
@wsteele1904
5 ай бұрын
Thanks for throwing in the part about what to use with set necks, this swayed my decision. Great video!
@j-man9457
5 ай бұрын
You're very welcome! Thanks for the comment!
@shadowghst7704
20 күн бұрын
@@wsteele1904 Set necks are a pain. I have some awesome files, but that S shaped one looks like a win..
@calbrockocat8728
10 ай бұрын
As I won't get over $100 worth of use out of these files, I opted for a cheaper Chinese file that was about $13 or so on Amazon. I like StewMac's quality, but you pay a lot for the name. FretGuru created some hype around their file and overcharge, as well. If I were setting up a guitar repair shop, for sure I'd go with either of those two. Great compaarison video, J!
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Yeah they are pricey but also guaranteed for life. I have a cheap chinese file here as well and the difference on the frets is huge! May have to post a comparison vid hahaha!
@joeking433
5 ай бұрын
But StewMac tools sell really quick on eBay! Every time I've put on on eBay it sold on that day. And you get a good bit back on your investment, maybe 70-80%.
@HighlineGuitars
Ай бұрын
Hmm... $90 for the Fretguru and a 30-day limited replacement warranty versus $95 for the Stewmac Z-file and a lifetime replacement warranty.
@j-man9457
Ай бұрын
@@HighlineGuitars talked with the owner of FretGuru and he'll back up his file for longer than 30 days... I just bought the Musicnomad fret file, and it is FAR SUPERIOR than both SM and FG. No contest. Love it!
@shadowghst7704
20 күн бұрын
@@HighlineGuitars Buy once, Cry once… I did, and I did..
@j-man9457
19 күн бұрын
Hahaha! Really? You don't like the Musicnomad fret crowning file? Wow! I'm surprised... For me it's a far superior tool. Less effort and better results! Different strokes for different folks I guess! Rock on!
@michael_caz_nyc
4 күн бұрын
No brainer if you ask me.
@j-man9457
4 күн бұрын
@@michael_caz_nyc old post. I have since purchased a Music Nomad fret file! It is far superior than these 2! It's awesome!
@lynyrddeville
11 күн бұрын
I have to jump in: the Fret Guru is NOT a diamond grit file. It is a proper file with teeth that cut. Yes, it only cuts in one direction. They are teeth, and they cut. The diamond grit " files" don't cut: they gouge and scrape like sandpaper does, leaving scratches behind in large quantities. It's like using a big metal sandpaper on your frets. The whole reason I paid the bucks and got the Guru Dagger 2.0. and I love it. Even the cheapest of the cheap diamond grit files will cut both ways and take material off fast. But they aren't cutting it off, they are scratching and gouging it off, leaving behind scratches galore, to be buffed out with several grits of Micromesh and a Dremel with a buffing wheel. I have found I get better results from the Dagger by rocking it slightly side to side kind of like it cradles the fret as it shapes and it cuts. It's only my opinion, but this is a product I really strongly believe in.
@j-man9457
10 күн бұрын
@@lynyrddeville hey I have to agree.... After using both of these for a while, and not being happy with either one, I bought a Musicnomad file. The Musicnomad fret file punches way above it's weight class! Amazing file. Perfect crown every time, and it almost polishes the fret as it crowns. Love it. I garbaged the other 2 hahaha!
@ADKWOODS
7 ай бұрын
The Dagger 2.0 is actually cheaper than the Stew Mac Z file. These files are totally different from one another so it's not really an accurate comparison. The Z file is actually a diamond file that cuts on both the push and pull strokes. This means that when you were doing 30 passes you really were doing 60 with the Z file. The Dagger 2.0 is a traditional metal file with grooved teeth that is only meant to cut on the push stroke or the direction of the cutting teeth. It sounded in your video like you were dragging the fret guru back along the fret on the pull stroke as well which you shouldn't be doing. To get even and fair results to compare you would need to do 60 passes with the Fret guru as it only cuts in one direction to 30 passes with the Z file. Fret Guru does make a diamond file as well that is around the same price as the Z File. Hopefully this helps clarify the differences in both of these files.
@j-man9457
7 ай бұрын
Thanks!😀
@shadowghst7704
21 күн бұрын
I have the FretGuru Dagger 2.0, and it works ok. I prefer my StewMac centered and offset. I have the StewMac mini (what you showed), but I haven’t used it yet. I’m sure I’ll have a use for it soon.
@j-man9457
21 күн бұрын
@@shadowghst7704 Hey I have since purchased the music nomad crowning file, and it is miles ahead of both of these! My Guru and SM file are just decorations in my man cave now hahaha!
@shadowghst7704
20 күн бұрын
@@j-man9457 Do you mean the “s” file?
@j-man9457
20 күн бұрын
@@shadowghst7704 as far as I know they only make 1. Yeah the blue S file by musicnomad. It's awesome!
@Stratisfied22
10 ай бұрын
Hey J, there is a guy on ebay D Drew who sells this crowning tool that basically is a small piece of wood with 2 cylindrical steel bars on the bottom that you wrap a flexible sanding sponge around and and go up and down the fretboard with as the rounded edges of the bar round out the frets.. I've crowned about 10 guitars using this method and it seems to work very well and takes very little time in comparison to using a file. I'm wondering how much better a file like this works compared to the method I mentioned and if you think the files have some advantages or disadvantages. I started leveling and crowning about 5 years ago but have only used this method as it seems to work well and the results have always been pretty good. Thanks bud hope all is well.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Hey cool man send me the link if you have time... For me, the only advantage to these files compared to sanding the crown on the frets, is the frets stay level with the files... when I used the sanding method I'd always end up with unlevel frets at the end....🤪
@@Stratisfied22 ahhh shoot! Ok thanks for the heads up buddy!
@Stratisfied22
10 ай бұрын
You can easily make that thing in 10 minutes so I sent you that vid so you can possibly try it.@@j-man9457
@hock4540
8 ай бұрын
The z-file has diamonds and cuts both ways, where the guru only cuts one way. So 30 passes with the z is like 60 with the guru.
@j-man9457
8 ай бұрын
Hmmm interesting. That would explain why the guru file seems to polish the fret as it files... whereas the stewmac seems to scratch it up more!
@joeking433
5 ай бұрын
The Fret Guru isn't diamond coated but rather the old standard type of file?
@j-man9457
5 ай бұрын
@@joeking433 yeah.... They do make a diamond coated one but apparently not the one I have😟
@wasteddude9387
10 ай бұрын
Hey Mr. J! I noticed that to my ear, the fret guru seemed to make a louder grating sound. The other thing I wanted to mention is that I’ve been scouring the internet to find out the cons against stainless steel guitar nuts. I’m really having a hard time finding more than one con. The con to using SS, is whatever adjustments might be desired including cutting the nut out of a piece of SS. But that makes no sense to me because everyone agrees SS does not deteriorate for literally decades and decades. The only other concern was the wear and tear on nickel strings. I checked into brass, a few types of bone, and graphite as far as I remember off hand. But SS is exclusively the only material that has two drawbacks and that one doesn’t make sense. Basically, everybody agreed SS is not, but almost nobody wanted to use it. But the reason I brought that up is because I saw a few blog-type conversations about string wear and tear. I’m telling you because I got the impression you were going for thin edged frets. If you are working on SS frets, you might be curious about the possible concern about stress between nickel and Stainless Steel. Thanks for this video. It was interesting too.
@TechnoRiff
10 ай бұрын
Replacing strings is a LOT cheaper and easier than refretting, or any sort of fret work.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
This guitar neck does have stainless SS, and realky thebonly draw back I can see is it takes longer to do a fret Job. I've never heard of a SS nut, but I think that would be awesome if it was properly cut and balanced. Let me know if you ever install one. You've picked my interest!
@wasteddude9387
10 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 I am just assembling a procurement package in a way. I like to do that with just a portion of available funds, and plan for several differing avenues of extension. That way, I ‘ll know the reason my plans all went to hell. But I am scouring the earth in search of a reasonably weighty opinion against the use of SS nuts. I know of a few very opinionated individuals who might be at a loss of advice. If so, I might decide.
@kurtcobain14580
10 ай бұрын
Cost vs other metals or bone that's easy to cut shape, and if you mess up with ss I imagine you have to start over again. Honestly I've never understood wanting to replace a well cut nut ( unless it's like plastic) with anything else. Bone is cheap, easy to cut and fix if you cut too deep nutslots, and sounds best to my ear
@joeking433
5 ай бұрын
I bought a stainless steel zero fret (Zero Glide) and it wore grooves in it in no time! Yet a plastic nut never seems to wear out.
@jamieheim2151
10 ай бұрын
I have both and by far prefer the fret guru file.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Yeah I think I agree with you. The Stewmac file is too narrow! It just chews up the sides of the fret!
@THRobinson
6 ай бұрын
Was looking at the Dagger 2.0, and I don't understand the price jump in Canada. $59USD after exchange is almost $78CAD, yet to buy it in Canada is $130CAD! I'm currently using a 3-sided file with a safe edge that's not as safe as it should be, and looking for a faster alternative, but, price is a bit of a deterrent... Dagger 2.0 also comes in two sizes now and you know whichever one you buy, you'll need the other. 😅
@j-man9457
6 ай бұрын
Hahaha isn't that always the case... I didn't know this at the time but fret guru has a Dimond file available now. Get that one. The one I have here is good but only files in 1 direction so not as efficient as the StewMac which is a diamond file!
@2dazetake
10 ай бұрын
I broke down and bought a fret guru and I like it a lot, has a nice handle and works like a charm,I do have a stewmac small fret end file that was only $15 but their other products are pricy.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
They are nice for sure, but yes pricey! Crazy really!
@theguitarprofessionals8584
10 ай бұрын
Its a Bull Dagger!!!!!!!!!!!! Full watch Mean Boy!!!!!! its diamond coated Nitty Gritty!!!!
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Thanks bud! Both work well. Not sure there's a clear winner hahaha
@TechnoRiff
10 ай бұрын
@J-Man - Bummer to hear about your Musi Cap; I know it and the Virgo have been working great for you! Any thoughts on the immediate cause of the high frets - e.g. neck/fretboard shrinkage, loose frets, etc.?
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Nope everything looks good in that aspect. I think they were high spots all along and I just really didn't notice... all good now though😀
@TechnoRiff
10 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 Oh OK. It sounded like you were thinking it was the seasonal weather changes in PEI. Usually in that situation, I'd tweak my truss rod a bit if needed. So the StewMac file actually cost less than the FretGuru? Usually, StewMac costs more than others, so that's good thing given their lifetime warranty...
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
@@TechnoRiff I bought both on a sale... so regular price, maybe the Stewmac file is more? Not sure, but even on sale, I'm sure these fret files are way over priced lol
@TechnoRiff
10 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 Just checked Amazon US. Currently, the StewMac is listed at $91 and the FretGuru at $60. Yes, overpriced! Definitely appreciate you blazing the way for the cheaperskates amongst us!
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
@@TechnoRiff hahaha! Don't mind blazing the way, but if I keep buying these things the blaze will get dim as I won't be able to afford matches hahaha! Those aren't bad prices... here in Canada, even on sale they are over 100$😖
@guitarzan0515
10 ай бұрын
Holy Fret Files J-Man, you are becoming Da Man of many talents!!
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
No talent here buddy! The files take the guess work out of crowning. Even I can't mess it up hahaha!
@markpetten9777
10 ай бұрын
So far I’ve been very fortunate and haven’t had to do any fret work on my guitars. I’m pretty sure that luck will run out eventually and I don’t know if I could pull off Mike’s method.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Hahaha yeah unless you play extremely lightly and all of your guitars have SS frets, sooner or later you'll need to at least recrown if not level... Yeah 2BM method works great if you're good at exerting little to no pressure on each fret consistantly on every pass... I apparently am not lol! These files are definitely more work, but for me they are more consistant😁
@zuperdee
10 ай бұрын
I suppose a steel wool sponge back and forth might work for a whole neck level, especially if you set up a rail and sled system above the neck at the right level to ensure 100% consistent action with the sponge, but that’s not very convenient if you’re just trying to do a spot level on 1 or 2 frets. It sounds like the StewMac tool definitely does the better job of crowning.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
In general yes, however the Fretguru file leaves a cleaner finish meaning less tooling marks😀
@zuperdee
10 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 Interesting… I wonder if the Fretguru will ever provide more sizes to better match some of the available fret sizes.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
@@zuperdee not sure, this file covers medium to jumbo, but not much good for narrow / tall frets
@These_go_to_eleven_1959
7 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 The reason the Fret Guru appears to leave a "cleaner finish" on the fret top is simply because it is not cutting as much of the material as the stew mac Z file so it will take longer for the same results. I know of several Top Luthiers that use and endorse the Z file whereas i know of no one that endorses the fret guru? When you have a guy like Dan Erlewine saying it (The Z file) is the best file then it probably is!😁
@j-man9457
7 ай бұрын
@@These_go_to_eleven_1959 he probably gets his 150 dollar file for free to say that hahaha! But yes I agree the Z files are good for sure. I'm not talking about removing material I'm talking about the finish on the Fret between the two files. Better or not, the Z file leaves more tooling marks on the Fret whereas the fretguru seems to almost polish the fret as it removes material...
@rainerjaschke5216
10 ай бұрын
I couldn't imagine spending that amount of money on any fret file. I've only done one fret job in my time. I've used the 2BM method and although not perfect it did a good job for me (only my opinion) If I have any fret buzz my highly trained ears (ya right) can't hear it. But then again how much fret buzz can you hear playing Happy Birthday. If you're on the cheap like me, 2BM method is the way to go. It does get the job done. Good video again Jay. Honest and open!
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
I prefer the 2BM method, but I think my technique is just poor. After sanding bar my freta are nice and level then after crowning, they were not!🤯 With these files they remain level so all good! Hahaha But yes they are expensive!
@jonathangaliano2617
4 ай бұрын
what is the 2BM method? I'm getting back into playing with an older Yamag FG412 and the frets def need a little work so I've been learning how to level and crown. Just trying to figure out which file I should get and exactly what I need to polish after.
@rainerjaschke5216
4 ай бұрын
@@jonathangaliano2617 Do a search fro 2bikemike. He has a lot of videos. He eplain things very well. You may have to go through his videos. He does one on just fret leveling. Worked good for me, but then I'm not a seasoned player!
@Vern859
2 ай бұрын
I am seeing some misinformation on these files on utube where they are using them to take a high spot off the fret??? My question is, is the inside top raduis of those files abrasive??? It should only be taking the edges off and leaving the top unscaved. You did it right..... Im talking about a few others I've seen. Im asking the question because i want to purchase a crowning file because im tired of using a 3 corner file with a safe edge. Also, i have never even seen a crowning file. So watching other videos has me wondering if that top inside raduis is abrasive, and i dont want that. Im like you, i like a nice thin line on top of the crown Have a great day.
@j-man9457
2 ай бұрын
Yeah many files will take meat off of the top of the fret. Usually the cheaper ones. I have one of those that I use to address the odd high fret before crowning it properly. I think what you want is a centered Z file. StewMac sells a few different ones. These will not take meat off of the top of the fret and will give you that thin marker line across the top of the fret when crowning. 😀 Also the diamond coated files will file in both directions whereas the non diamond coated files only file when you're moving the file away from you...🙂
@Vern859
2 ай бұрын
@@j-man9457 Thank you
@j-man9457
2 ай бұрын
@@Vern859 no worries bud!
@timscarrow9151
10 ай бұрын
With the guru you file from the other side on a set neck, and it seems the jumbo does not touch narrow frets and the narrow side slides over jumbo frets and does not cut.
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
Hmmm interesting Tim. First time using them so I'm not sure. Both files seem to work well on the SS medium frets on my Musi. Thanks for the info. I'll post again if I discover an issue for sure😀
@timscarrow9151
10 ай бұрын
the frets i used it on were worn and not so tall so it seemed to know , and my LP had barely anything to file soo low now she don't get much use anymore, hurts my back it's so heavy. Cheers.@@j-man9457
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
@@timscarrow9151 ahhh yes I understand.... yes on short or warn frets, I think the Stewmac file would be more effective. The shallow end of the Fretguru file starts at medium sized frets....🤔
@jimdoner3443
2 ай бұрын
Do you know what the warranty is on the Fret Guru ?
@j-man9457
2 ай бұрын
@@jimdoner3443 I think their diamond file version is lifetime, but the one I have. Isn't a their diamond version...
@2bikemikesguitartopics145
10 ай бұрын
It's exactly those costs, which is why I won't put out the money for those files because, in my opinion they're just not worth the money, and the job can be done with the other means. And I found that the Chinese metal files for crowning work just as well in a spot situation where you've got a high end or something or a or a high middle you can get the meat off and then finish up with the Sandpaper and rubber mat in the center as I do it. Yes you have to be smooth and not put undue pressure on your sandpaper just like you do on the files. By the way you only counted your filing with those in One Direction because you pushed and pulled and you counted it as one you really did 60 passes across the Fret
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
60 yes you're right, however I'm not convinced these diamond files cut in both directions as the sound and feel different pushing as opposed to pulling which is why I just counted 1 for every push pull... I totally get you, but man I don't remember how many fret levels I've done with the sanding just to still have unlevel frets after the process was done. 🤯 But really when you think of it, if you have 40 guitars, and you crown them all, it's only 3 bucks per guitar. I picked up some sand papaer strips at CT yesterday and it was 6.49 for 3 strips of 8X4. The Automorive quality paper for wet / dry sanding... Not sure about the Fretguru, but the Stewmac file is guaranteed for life...
@kurtcobain14580
10 ай бұрын
There's a huge delta between stewmac and generic Amazon, and for me the half way point is the sweet spot I've found. Stewmac makes great tools but those prices...really? I started with the budget neck straight edge and files etc, and ended up hating them and having to rebuy ever from Philadelphia Luither and now I'm happy for a good, but still way less than stewmac, cost. Had that fret guru tools at one point too but didn't like them and the PL tools were just a bit more expensive, but much better (cept for nut files I do have the fret guru nut files and they work fine enough)
@2bikemikesguitartopics145
10 ай бұрын
@@kurtcobain14580 I bought a few things from Philadelphia also
@j-man9457
10 ай бұрын
@@kurtcobain14580 yeah, these files are over priced for sure. The FretGuru is way more versatile than the Stewmac. Your frets have to be narrow or the SM file will chew them up along the sides...
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