Cut Through the Fret Crowning Learning Curve
A must-have for master luthiers and guitar repair apprentices, MusicNomad’s cutting-edge S-File Safe Zone Fret Crowning File dramatically simplifies the challenging art of fret crowning. By combining a standard concave file design with a smooth, nonabrasive center line, the S-File’s 240-grit diamond abrasive makes short work of your leveled frets while leaving a perfect, untouched crown line every time. Moreover, the S-File’s double-sided offset construction allows you to effortlessly crown frets of all styles and sizes, from tiny vintage frets to massive jumbo frets. You also get an ergonomic blue silicon comfort grip, a unique nose design for precise spot leveling, and a convenient hang hole. Say goodbye to markers and botched fret tops with the straightforward simplicity and incredible utility of MusicNomad’s S-File Safe Zone Fret Crowning File!
Note: The S-File was designed with nickel-silver frets in mind. As with any file, using it on stainless steel fret wire will shorten its life. For more information, call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer.
Related Videos: S-File Safe Zone Fret Crowning File
Smooth center for safe and careful crowning
Proper fret crowning is one of the more elusive skills to master when first delving into the realm of guitar repair. Many Sweetwater luthiers and techs will tell you how, in a bid for the ideal ultra-thin flat on their fret crowns, they went too far and had to re-level the fret tops entirely. Unfortunately, it’s an inherent issue with typical fret files that feature an abrasive surface across the entirety of a concave channel.
To eliminate this issue and greatly simplify the long, arduous fret crowning learning curve, MusicNomad equipped the S-File with a smooth center line that perfectly preserves the crown of your fret. No matter how much you file, this nonabrasive line physically cannot alter the very top of your fret’s crown when used properly, as the diamond-grit abrasive strictly makes contact with the sides of the fret. This allows you to create a perfect semicircular fret shape with a razor-thin crown every time — with a fraction of the effort and expertise required when using triangle files or standard concave files. Moreover, the S-File’s premium 240-grit diamond edge cuts with both pushing and pulling motions, slicing your crowning time in half.
Two sides to tackle any fret size
Whether you’re strictly working on your own guitars or gearing up to become a proper tech, you’re almost certainly going to encounter a vast variety of disparate fret sizes. Luckily, the S-File’s double-sided design accommodates frets of all kinds, with a Narrow/Medium side (for frets up to 0.094 inch in width) and a Wide side (for frets with a width of 0.04 inch or up). This flexible feature allows you to tackle everything from massive jumbo-sized frets to petite vintage-style frets simply by flipping the S-File around, effectively doubling this tool’s utility in your workshop. Finally, MusicNomad worked directly with some of the music world’s top luthiers when designing the S-File, resulting in a cut that perfectly preserves the existing radius of your fret tops.
Exceptional ergonomics
Filing frets is always a delicate process — you want the file to do the work for you with minimal pressure on your end. Luckily, the S-File’s beefed-up handle, blue silicon grip, and robust 173 g weight provide a supremely ergonomic feel that reduces hand fatigue while promoting proper crown filing technique. Best of all, the S-File’s unique offset design supplies superior leverage and makes it a breeze to clear the top of the body when crowning the last few frets on the fingerboard.
MusicNomad S-File Safe Zone Fret Crowning File Features:
- Fret crowning file designed with a nonabrasive center line to perfectly preserve the flat of your fret crowns, no matter how much you file
- Designed with feedback from some of the world’s most accomplished luthiers
- All but eliminates the long and arduous learning curve required by most fret crowning files
- 240-grit diamond edge that makes short work of even the flattest fret tops, cutting on both pull and push strokes
- Double-sided design that accommodates all types of frets, from tiny vintage-style frets to massive jumbo frets
- Ergonomic silicone grip comfort handle and 173 g weight that dramatically reduce hand fatigue
- Nose design that allows for precise spot crowning
- Convenient hang hole for tool boards
