Fret Leveling, Fret Dressing and Refrets in Manhattan
Buzzing on one fret, dead notes that choke out when you bend, sharp fret ends that catch your hand in a dry New York winter. Those are fret problems, not setup problems, and no amount of truss rod turning fixes them. Fretwork is what our full-time tech does most after setups.
Level, crown and polish
A fret level ($225) grinds every fret to one plane, recrowns each one so the string touches a single point, and polishes them to a mirror. It cures buzzing from high frets, choked bends and uneven wear under the first five frets. If only the last octave is the problem, a partial level ($175) handles the fallaway without touching the rest.
Fret ends
Humidity drops, the fretboard shrinks, and the fret ends stick out past the edge like tiny saw teeth. That's most of what we see in January. A fret end bevel and dress ($125) files them flush and rounds each end. The bevel-only version is $65. Edge rolling on an unfinished or bound board is a $75 add-on.
Refrets
When the frets are worn past what a level can save, or you want stainless steel, it's a refret, from $350. The base price covers pulling and installing frets. Most refrets are followed by a level, fret ends and a setup so the guitar leaves playing right. Bound fingerboards, maple boards with finish, and set-neck guitars each add $100. Stainless steel frets add $150 and last decades.
Prices
| Fret Level, Crown & PolishFull board | $225 |
|---|---|
| Partial LevelLast octave or fallaway | $175 |
| Fret End Bevel & Dress | $125 |
| Fret End Bevel OnlyFlush to board edge | $65 |
| Edge Rolling Add-onUnfinished or bound boards | +$75 |
| RefretBase price | from $350 |
| Set-neck, Bound or Maple Add-onEach that applies | +$100 |
| Stainless Steel Frets Add-on | +$150 |
See the full repair and setup menu for everything else we do.
Fretwork takes 1 to 2 weeks. Every fret job gets a setup check and a play-test before pickup. Prices are labor; frets and strings are extra.
Get a free quote
Common questions
- How much does a fret level cost in NYC?
- A full fret level, crown and polish at Brothers Guitar Shop is $225 labor. A partial level is $175. Fret end dressing is $125.
- Do I need a fret level or a refret?
- If the frets still have height and the problem is unevenness or a few high spots, a level fixes it. If the frets are flattened or deeply grooved under the plain strings, a refret is the honest answer. Bring it in and we'll tell you which, free.
- Do you install stainless steel frets?
- Yes. Stainless is a $150 add-on to a refret. They resist wear far longer than nickel silver and feel slicker under bends.
- Can you fix sharp fret ends?
- Yes, that's a fret end bevel and dress, $125, and it's the most common winter repair in Manhattan. Keep a humidifier in the case to slow it down.
- How long does fretwork take?
- 1 to 2 weeks for levels and refrets. Ask for current lead times when you drop off at 316 East 84th Street.