Baroque Guitar Fret Crowning Dressing File Narrow/Medium/Wide 3 Edges Size Improved 3rd Generation Guitar Repairing & Luthier Tools for Guitars,Ukulele,Bass,Banjo,Mandolin etc EFF-10

A luthier by trade, I tested this file extensively. I think that it has gotten some bad reviews, mostly because of inexperienced or novice folks who really didn't know what they were doing. Is it perfect. No. Far from it. But for the money, it's hard to beat and based on the fact that the Baroque company now has a 4th gen version of this file, I think they are committed to continually working on improving this product, which speaks volumes to me. I will likely give that one a go as well in the near future. That said, there are some things to consider concerning the 3rd Gen file. First the filing surfaces aren't quite right width-wise. However, they are still quite usable...if you know what the hell you are doing. You will need to experiment to find the appropriate size for your application. But if you are patient and take your time, you can get professional results with this file. Again, for the money, it's a fantastic value. One criticism I have is that the diamond grit is a bit too course. I estimate that it's somewhere around 220 grit, which means you'll need to go easy and then start with 300 - 320 grit sanding papers to get the initial crowning grit marks out. After that you should be fine with the usual 400, 600, and then 0000 steel wool for a quick an dirty fret job. That said, you can start with 400 if you want, it will just take a few more passes to get those initial tool marks out left by the crowning file. Two other minor, but significant, criticisms I nearly forgot about: There is an edge on either side of each filing surface of the 3rd Gen tool. If your fret heights aren't sufficient, those edges can damage the fret board when crowning. Taking care to tape off the board will help you avoid having to cover your tracks later. Alternatively, you can do like I did and blunt those edges so they are no longer a risk. The last criticism is that the end of the 3rd Gen file has a diamond filing surface as well. So if you slip off the edge of the board during crowning there's a pretty good chance you're going to mar the finish on the edge of the board and/or neck. But again, this is easily rectified by taping the edge of the board or doing as I did and grinding the end of the crowning file smooth. (Besides all that, I'm told they have corrected these issues in the 4th Gen file.) Of course it goes without saying (but I will for the newbies) that if you don't first mark the tops of your frets with a Sharpie, you will have no idea where your crowns are or how much material you've removed. And this has to be done when you level the frets to begin with. So be sure you do that before you start "scrubbing" on the leveling stage of the fret job, and then after leveling, mark the tops of your frets and start crowning...after which you can begin graduating up on the grits until you get a nice mirror finish in der. In any case, great tool for the money. Just takes some care and getting used to.

I love this thing! The company who makes these is amazing to talk to also if you have any issues or questions. The product works perfectly. Honestly, better than much higher dollar fret crowning tools. And if after a while it doesnt seem to be filing well, Chances are its not the file getting weak, Instead, take a hard bristle brush of some kind and really scrub inside the crowning cavity because what probably happened is over time the shavings from frets have built up in there. You can clean out the cavities and it works like new again!

This is a useful crowning file. It fits most fret sizes and does a decent job shaping them. It is a bit course, and leaves a lot of scratches in the frets, but those are easy to smooth out.

Good for filing frets on my basses/guitar.

Over the past several years, lutherie services have become as expensive as the instruments I have entrusted into a luthier's care. I have purchased a few tools to perform some of the maintenance that does not require a shop with $ 100,000.00 worth of tools. The Baroque Fret Crowning/Dressing file is perfect for gentle treatment of frets that have signs of scratching from many hours of play and will likely reserve visits to the luthier for work that I would likely botch.

Works as it should. Can be used to dress sharp fret ends or to re-crown leveled frets. Has 3 different fret size grooves to fit most all types of frets. I am a guitar tech of 45 yrs and this is a great tool to have in the shop. Use it a lot with no issues at all.

Groove sizes are more like narrow, jumbo, and unusably big. Spend the extra money and get a real one from a real luthier supplier

Very good. I needed to use the smallest groove for 2018 Charvel San Dimas neck. Did the trick. Looks like it should last. Quality feel. Not sure if I will need the other sizes as they seem pretty big. Fret Guru seems to be a bit more accurate and nicer features (tilt away handle). Both work good though

Great product, well made