Busted out the fret leveling stone

[PinkLine]

I have been totally digging the Bedell MB-17-G I purchased during the summer blowout (cedar sapele auditorium style). Over the past few weeks, as the air has gotten more dry, it started developing a buzz at the 14th fret (the dreaded neck block hump). I thought about bringing it to my favorite luthier, but decided to take a crack at it myself.

I learned to build guitars as a teen, and have kept many of my hand tools even though it has been decades since building. So I pulled out the fret leveling stone and fret file I purchased from Gurian Guitars in the late 70's and gave it a go.

I didn't go hog-wild, because the neck will settle out with proper humidification. But a few carefully placed swipes of the stone and a little crowning work with the file and the buzz was tamed.

I'm not sure I would have tried this on a more expensive guitar, but the low price of the Bedell emboldened me. Very pleased with the results!

[Aaron Smith]

My experience is that just about every guitar, expensive or not, can benefit from the fret level and crown 6-12 months after leaving the factory.