I have an Eko Ranger 6 that I bought 40 years ago and I have maintained it with cleaning etc but have noticed that the tuning pegs have stiffened up.
Anyway I thought I would give the old girl a makeover and went into my local guitar shop here in London to ask if they would do that.
I was told that they would do everything except stoning the frets. When I asked why, the reply was I donât know, we just donât do that.
What is so difficult/complicated in stoning frets? I always thought the big no-no for an amateur was messing with the truss rod but what is the issue with the frets?
Amateurs should get used to and understand adjusting the truss rod, and have the relevant tools to measure relief etc its a basic setup process that can need doing regularly.
Fret leveling/crowning is a pretty straight forward process but takes more skill with potential for messing up the frets, any competent Luther should be able to do this
around here, fret leveling goes beyond the âbasic setupâ type services and some places just donât go beyond âbasic setupâ. There are fewer luthiers willing to do that job (or even refretting). And even fewer willing to make more extensive repairs.
Do a quick google search and youâll find several places which will do a level crown and polish. Prices look pretty reasonable - expect to pay around the ÂŁ100 mark.
It can be an involved process depending on the frets in question, but that depends on the wear and tear.
Iâm surprised your local shop couldnât even point you in the right direction (unless they didnât understand the term âstoningâ)
If all else fails, then Denmark Street in London has enough guitar places to sort you out!
