How to Install Frets on a Bound Fingerboard

Installing frets on a bound fingerboard has a few extra steps. In this video Erick Coleman refrets his 1970's Gibson Les Paul and shows every step in how to properly prepare the frets for installation onto a bound fingerboard.

0:00 Introduction
0:27 Bound vs. unbound fingerboard
0:54 Removing the old frets
2:45 Cleaning the fret slots
4:00 Check the depth of the slots
4:51 Checking the fretwire fit
6:09 Radiusing, sizing and trimming the fret wire for installation
7:43 Cutting and filing the tangs
12:44 Installing and gluing the frets
17:32 Leveling
17:44 Trimming the ends
18:13 Filing and beveling the fret ends
19:25 Crowning, end dressing and polishing the new frets

Items used in this video:

StewMac Deluxe Fret Tang Nippers

StewMac Cryowire

StewMac Centered Z-File

Jaws Fret Press

Japanese Fret Slot Cleaning Saw

Deadblow Fretting Hammer

StewMac Precision Fret Puller

Fret Slot Depth Gauge

FretBender

StewMac Fret Cutter

Nut and Saddle Shaping Files

Fret End Dressing File

Snapfile Leveling System

StewMac Fret Heater

Fret Slot Cleaning Tool

StewMac #10 Thin Super Glue

StewMac Brush-on Accelerator for Super Glue

Aluminum Radius-sanding Beam

3M Flexible Polishing Papers

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Instagram: @StewMac_Guitar

[stewmac]

People have been asking us to make this video for a while! Glad to see you like it. 🎸❤️

[cooperarbogast]

A 20 minute fretting video with Eric? This is exactly what we needed

[miromax]

I really missed these guitar maintenance videos.

[theajthomas]

It is so good to have these videos back - I really missed them!

[madgeniusmusic]

I loved the longer video, and Erick has lost A LOAD of weight, looking very good sir.

[voodoochili]

Love the long form video - more of these please!

[doctorbarber]

Our boy Erick Eazy-E Coleman looking spry and healthy

[FranziKoe]

Have fun getting these frets out for the next refret

[roughcutguitars]

Every second is pure gold. This is why when you find a tech you like, you don't ask how much for a refret.
You just don't.
:-)

[sgt.thundercok]

One of the best things about these videos is seeing so many of the 'right tool for the job'.

[TetraShot]

Man, this was so well explained, well shot, and very concise. I learned WAY more than I expected and was engaged the whole time. Nice video!

[mikemclenison]

I'm a machinist. This is the best tutorial I've seen on topic. Great job! Thanks!

[neckjig]

What a joy to watch. Best fretting video on the internet, no question.

[Hi.Im.Levi.]

Love Erick’s videos. He looks different !

[spkay]

Eric, you're the man. Thank you so much for that very thorough and nicely paced video. You take the time to explain the important details which makes so that a DIYer can hopefully avoid the most common pitfalls.

[AgimLubonja]

One of the best if not the best video about fret replacement on a Gibson LP guitar.

[El_Cacto]

I'm amazed at the amount of work put, and the results pay off.

[KaijuAlert]

Beautiful work. Also, I cant be the only one who finds these StewMac videos to be deeply relaxing. There is just something so satisfying abobt watching masters at work. The lighting, audio, camerawork and editing is excellent too.

[sgt.thundercok]

Hey, Erick grew his hair out! I like it! I was watching some of your 6 year old ones yesterday on pots and another on changing tuners then saw this one. Nice upgrade!

[StealthySpace]

I quite literally did not recognize him after all the weight loss. Absolutely well done.