The Complete Fret Service
Precision Fret Leveling, Recrowning, Mirror Polishing & Edge Dressing
Eliminate fret buzz, choke-outs on string bends, and divots from heavy play without the expense of a full refret. The Complete Fret Service (£115) trues your fret plane to micro-tolerances under simulated string tension, restoring effortless low action, clear sustain, and silky playability across the entire fingerboard.
Supply your own new strings (£0), reuse your current set if suitable (£0), or let us supply fresh strings on the bench (+£5 Guitar / +£10 Bass).
Glass-Smooth Bends
8000-grit micro-mesh mirror polish
Microscopic Precision
Precision-ground steel leveling beam
Free Dundee Collection
Doorstep pickup & return included
Full Setup Included
Relief, action, strobe intonation & cleanse
Symptom Self-Check
Is This Service Right for Your Guitar?
If your instrument displays any of the following symptoms, individual fret crowns are physically uneven and preventing clean string vibration:
Single Fret Buzz
Notes buzz on one specific fret, while frets directly above and below sound perfectly clean.
Choking String Bends
High-register bends (frets 12–17) abruptly die out or hit a metallic thud against a taller forward fret.
“Cowboy Chord” Divots
Visible grooves and valleys worn into frets 1–3 under the plain strings from years of open chord playing.
Rough / Gritty Bending
Frets feel scratchy, pitted, or oxidised under the strings when applying vibrato or bending notes.
Factory Level Inconsistencies
A new or modern guitar where the string action cannot be set comfortably low without excessive rattling.
Wondering whether your instrument needs a £250+ refret or just a £115 fret dress? Read our comprehensive Guitar Re-Fret vs. Fret Dressing Pillar Guide to learn the 0.75mm crown safety limit, 3 at-home metric tests, and how to get a free smartphone photo triage.
Have general buzz across the entire neck? It might just be a seasonal neck relief issue. Read our Fret Buzz Diagnostic Guide before booking.
Workbench Protocol
The 4-Stage Workbench Protocol
David's unhurried workbench ritual delivers microscopic geometric precision and zero-friction playability:
Diagnostic Relief & Fret Rocker Scan
The neck is dialled dead flat on the bench, and every fret is scanned under magnification to identify high spots, loose tangs, and string wear divots.
Precision Leveling & Radius Trueing
Using calibrated precision leveling beams, frets are trued to an exact consistent plane matching the fingerboard radius, eliminating buzz and high spots without removing excess fret meat.
Diamond Recrowning & Fret-End Dressing
Each fret is individually recrowned with diamond files to restore a crisp, centered witness point for pure intonation. Fret ends are smoothed and bevelled to eliminate sharp edges and seasonal fret sprout.
Micro-Mesh Mirror Polish & Complete Setup
Frets are polished through successive micro-mesh grits to an 8,000-grit glass-like shine for frictionless string bending. Finished with botanical fretboard conditioning and The Complete Setup (relief, action, and strobe intonation).
Service Benchmark
What's Included vs. Basic Setup vs. Full Refret
Supply your own new strings (£0), reuse your current set if suitable (£0), or let us supply fresh strings on the bench (+£5 Guitar / +£10 Bass).
| Workbench Feature | The Complete Setup (£95) | The Complete Fret Service (£115) | Full Refret (£250–£350) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Truss Rod & Action Calibration | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Strobe Intonation (±0.01 cent) | ✅ Included | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Fretboard Cleanse & Hydration | ✅ Included | ✅ Included (Clarity Wash & Balm) | ⚠️ Extra charge |
| Loose Fret Reseating | ❌ Visual check only | ✅ Included | ❌ New frets installed |
| Precision Beam Leveling | ❌ No | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| Diamond Apex Recrowning | ❌ No | ✅ Included | ✅ Included |
| 8000-Grit Mirror Polish | ⚠️ Surface polish | ✅ Full Micro-Mesh Mirror Polish | ✅ Included |
| Free Dundee Doorstep Collection | ✅ Free in Dundee | ✅ Free in Dundee | ❌ Shop drop-off |
| Turnaround Time | 24–48 Hours | ⚡ 48 Hours | ⏱️ 1–2 Weeks |
| Price | £95.00 | £115.00 (Best Value) | £250.00+ |
Companion Upgrade: Hand-Carved Bone Nut
Level frets eliminate buzz across the neck, but a bespoke Hand-Carved Bone Nut (£50) cures string pinging and ensures optimal first-fret takeoff and open-string sustain.
Zero Travel Friction
3 Simple Steps to Perfect Playability
Book Your Bench Slot
Select your service or email david@thecompleteguitar.com with your guitar model and fret concerns.
Evening Doorstep Pickup (Free in Dundee)
We arrange a convenient evening slot to collect your cased guitar directly from your home or workplace in Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Newport, Monifieth, or Tayport.
48h Bench Work & Return
Your frets are leveled, diamond crowned, mirror-polished, cleansed, and calibrated. 48 hours later, your instrument is safely returned to your door, ready for the stage or studio.
Private Bench Facility · Zero Walk-Ins
The Complete Guitar operates as a dedicated private artisan workshop (33E Ballindean Road, Dundee, DD4 8NN). To ensure total precision and undisturbed bench focus, all services are strictly arranged in advance with complimentary doorstep concierge collection, or by pre-scheduled appointment. Learn more about our Dundee guitar workshop & setups.
Common Enquiries
Frequently Asked Questions
Will leveling my frets make them too low?
Only a microscopic fraction of a millimetre is removed from the high spots. The vast majority of factory frets have ample height for 2 to 3 precision fret dressings over their lifespan before ever needing replacement.
How do I know if my guitar needs a refret instead?
A refret is only necessary if your frets have been leveled multiple times in the past and have less than 0.65 mm of crown height remaining, or if the fretwire has severe rot/corrosion. Over 90% of playing issues are resolved with a Fret Level & Crown. Read our in-depth diagnostic guide on Guitar Re-Fret vs. Fret Dressing to measure your fret height at home or request a free smartphone photo check.
Can I drop off my guitar in person?
The Complete Guitar operates as a private, appointment-only artisan workshop. To ensure maximum convenience and zero travel hassle for you, we provide complimentary doorstep collection and return across Dundee.
Are strings included in the £115 price?
You are welcome to supply your preferred string set with your guitar, or we can fit fresh Ernie Ball, D'Addario, or Elixir strings from our workshop stock at standard retail price.
About the Maker & Workshop
Written and formulated by David Aitken. Every care formula and calibration protocol is developed through hands-on bench experience at The Complete Guitar workshop in Dundee, Scotland, dedicated to making every instrument play 1% better every day.
48h Turnaround · Free Dundee Doorstep Collection · £115 All-Inclusive
Ready to eliminate buzz and choking bends?
Book online or email david@thecompleteguitar.com to reserve your bench slot with complimentary local collection across Dundee, Broughty Ferry, Newport, Monifieth, and Tayport.
Supply your own new strings (£0), reuse your current set if suitable (£0), or let us supply fresh strings on the bench (+£5 Guitar / +£10 Bass).