is it possible to file down the metal frets on my acoustic, in my opinion they are rather high and they seem to catch my fingers when sliding up an down the fret board, also what is the best way to clean the fret board. thanx

lee, December 2007

.0000 steel wool and fretboard conditioner does a pretty good job.when you change the strings clean the dirt from the frets with steel wool,then wipe it with a small amount of conditioner.

james gaul, February 2008

The method of cleaning the fret board and underside of strings is as follows: Feed damp cloth under strings - down by the sound hole, so you have a piece of cloth in each hand with the main part laying under the strings. Gently slide the cloth up toward the top of the neck and then begin a sawing motion from left to right whilst applying downward pressure to the cloth. Work your way all the way to the end of the fret board in this manner and then repeat the operation, this time applying VERY GENTLE upward force to the ends of the cloth in order to de gunk the underside of the strings. To finish use the same method with a dry hanky to polish everything. Recheck tuning, put axe in nice case and kiss it goodnight...well I do!

Arthur, again., February 2008

Filing frets (Fret Dressing) is a job for an experienced Luthier or Guitar Technician. If you even get it slightly wrong you will probably want to throw the instrument away.
For fretboard cleaning I prefer a damp cotton Handkerchief, and then a polish with a dry cotton Handkerchief. Commercial cleaning agents such as Lemon oil are available but I was warned off using them on my guitar ( a Martin D18) as they can dry the wood out, which may lead to cracks in the fretboard. Also avoid using wax or aerosol polishes in the guitar body, these polishes can inhibit the quality of the sound, once again, wet hanky, dry hanky.

Cheers!

Arthur, February 2008

I wouldn't file the frets down. There is a product called fast fret which will clean the fret board and the strings.

ia, January 2008