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
https://www.stewmac.com/item/2257

StewMac Cryowire
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0141-C

StewMac Centered Z-File
https://www.stewmac.com/item/5080

Jaws Fret Press
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4431

Japanese Fret Slot Cleaning Saw
https://www.stewmac.com/item/3615

Deadblow Fretting Hammer
https://www.stewmac.com/item/1296

StewMac Precision Fret Puller
https://www.stewmac.com/item/1636

Fret Slot Depth Gauge
https://www.stewmac.com/item/5435

FretBender
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0350

StewMac Fret Cutter
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0619

Nut and Saddle Shaping Files
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4556

Fret End Dressing File
https://www.stewmac.com/item/1175

Snapfile Leveling System
https://www.stewmac.com/item/2256

StewMac Fret Heater
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4550

Fret Slot Cleaning Tool
https://www.stewmac.com/item/4870

StewMac #10 Thin Super Glue
https://www.stewmac.com/item/0010

StewMac Brush-on Accelerator for Super Glue
https://www.stewmac.com/item/7013

Aluminum Radius-sanding Beam
https://www.stewmac.com/item/15661

3M Flexible Polishing Papers
https://www.stewmac.com/item/6040


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