Fret Replacement & Leveling: Precision for Your Fingerboard

The fingerboard is the primary interface between the musician and their instrument. Over years of use, the friction of the strings and the pressure of the fingers lead to natural wear of the metallic fret material. Small pits and grooves form, which not only alter the intonation but also make bending difficult and result in an uneven playing experience.

In our workshop located in Vienna's Neubau district, we treat this issue with the utmost care. Depending on the condition of the instrument, we decide together with you whether a simple leveling and polishing of the existing frets is sufficient or if a complete refret is necessary to ensure the original quality and longevity of the instrument.

Our fretwork services are designed for various groups of musicians. First, for professional guitarists who use their instruments for several hours daily and therefore notice faster fret wear. In these cases, a complete replacement with high-quality nickel-silver or stainless steel is often requested.

Secondly, we support students of music academies and conservatories in Vienna, whose instruments often require more precise setup to optimally meet the technical demands of their studies. Thirdly, collectors come to us with vintage instruments that have lost substance over the decades and now require professional restoration without compromising their historical character.

After your appointment, you bring the instrument to our workshop on Burggasse. We perform a free initial diagnosis, checking the frets with specialized straight-edges. Based on these findings, we create a detailed cost estimate. We only begin work once you have explicitly agreed to the estimate.

Throughout the process, the instrument is stored in an environment with controlled humidity (45-55%) to avoid tension changes in the wood. Should any damage to the fingerboard wood be discovered during the refretting process, we will inform you immediately and suggest appropriate repairs.

To speed up the process, we ask you to transport the instrument in a sturdy case or a high-quality gig bag. If you have specific requests regarding string brand or gauge, please let us know upon drop-off, as we install new strings during the final adjustment.

We also recommend removing all personal accessories (picks, capos) from the case. Please provide a short description of the problems you have noticed (e.g., "buzzing on the 5th fret of the E string"), so that we can focus our analysis effectively.

You receive your instrument back in a condition that significantly improves playability. The strings sit evenly, bending works without catching, and the intonation is stable across the entire fingerboard. Along with the instrument, we provide a detailed work report.

This report documents all steps taken and the final measured values of the action. Additionally, you receive individual recommendations for fingerboard care, especially regarding seasonal humidity fluctuations in Vienna, to extend the life of the new frets.

Simple fret leveling and polishing typically takes an average setup time of 3 days. A complete refret is a significantly more intensive process, as old frets must be carefully removed and new ones precisely fitted. For this service, you should expect a timeframe of approximately 10 to 14 business days.

We work exclusively by appointment to give every instrument the necessary attention. Please use our contact form to find a suitable slot in our calendar.

Please note that our service refers to the metallic frets and the adjustment of the fingerboard. Repair of body cracks, finish damage, or electrical work on amplifiers is not part of this service. Furthermore, we do not perform work on instruments containing materials from protected species (such as ivory or Brazilian rosewood) unless valid CITES documents are provided.

The cost of replacement strings is not included in the package prices mentioned above and will be billed separately according to your preference.

Our prices are transparent and fairly calculated. The amounts indicated in the table include the statutory Austrian VAT of 20%. For our business customers (B2B), we provide the net prices. The final billing is based on the materials actually required and the time spent, with the prior cost estimate being binding.

Payment is due upon collection of the instrument. For registered B2B partners, we offer a payment term of 30 days.