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Fret crowning.
Im looking to buy a fret file. My main purpose for it will be for new stainless steel frets medium to medium high size. Which file would you guys recommend for a beginner? Ive been looking at the Z file from stewmac is there more options?
6 Comments-
I really like the Original Z file from Stewmac. I also have a three-sided 600 grit diamond crowning file from Philadelphia Luthier that I usually use after Z-file with.
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@parrisguitars I actually tried a friend of mines original Z file in 150 grit on some nickel frets. I felt like I couldn’t get the flat part off with just that file. It needed something else to finish the job. Which is why I’m looking at the center Z file.
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@patreon_190548826 I have a centered file, but don’t find it terribly useful. It’s ok on narrow frets, but the best Z file is the original. It cuts at two angles simultaneously and when you use one side, then flip it over and use the other side on the same fret, it gives you the result most similar to traditional crowning with a tri-cornered file (which takes much more practice.) With new techs, I’ve found the Original Z-file gets them the best result most quickly
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@parrisguitars thank you I appreciate the input
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I’m also looking at the music nomad crowning file, it has a similar center line without diamonds on it.
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I’ve been happy with the compact version of the z-file, offset style. Aside from seconding the reasons Bryan mentioned for liking the original z file, I like the control and smaller form factor of the compact version.
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