When to Dress Frets

Hi Pitbulls

I am building the ES-5V kit hollow body guitar.

Is it best/easiest to dress the frets at the start before the neck is finished and attached to the body or is it best to do it at the end of the build?


I am keen to learn to to do this.

Many thanks.

Steve W

I haven't built one of these, but I usually do the frets after I've finished the neck. Really you have to look at which way is going to give you the most stable set up when leveling the frets.

It's slightly easier to do it with the neck off the guitar. Also, if you want to 'roll' the fingerboard edges, then it's best to do it before any finish is applied, as you will certainly remove some of that (although if you want a 'reliced' look then after the finish is on will give a more heavily played look). But it's almost as easy to to with the neck on - though you'll need to support the neck from underneath when sanding/filing. With it off the body, you can just rest it on a towel or a cloth etc. on a table or bench.