50th Anniversary Fret level, dress and polish

[markj]

After 4.5 years of multi hour playing on a daily basis, the frets on my LV-10 50th Anniversary, needed to be leveled, dressed and polished.

More than just the first position needed this, as I use the entire neck when I play.

The technician is Bill Hatfield, of the Janesville Hatfields. He's the real McCoy.  

Photos will show the extent of the wear, the process, and the results. In the final photos you can see the reflection of the strings in the polished surface of the frets.

Bill did a stellar job and I am very grateful to have him as a friend and expert guitar technician/luthier.

[ducktrapper]

Is that a slight center crack I see or just a trick of the light and grain?

[markj]

Not a crack. This guitar is pristine. No dings, scratches or cracks. Been properly humidified since it arrived here when new.

[unclrob]

Very nice,I assume that the black in the divits is from blackening all the frets.I don't tap off the wood when I do my work but just  beautiful work manship.

[B0WIE]

Nice to see a 50th getting played enough to need a fret level already! 

[markj]

Very nice,I assume that the black in the divits is from blackening all the frets.I don't tap off the wood when I do my work but just  beautiful work manship.

I'm not sure. I think Bill darkens the divots with a fine point marker to judge when he has taken enough off of the frets to start dressing. I will ask him.

[mike in lytle]

Nice to see a 50th getting played enough to need a fret level already! 

I am also impressed. I think many folks would try to preserve the guitar by playing it less. I also imagine the many hours of playing have helped the guitar develop a nice tone. It takes a lot of playing to wear frets like that. We know you are a quite good player... looking at fret wear by a single player over several years on one guitar is like, pretty cool.
Mike

[ducktrapper]

Not a crack. This guitar is pristine. No dings, scratches or cracks. Been properly humidified since it arrived here when new.

Glad to hear it. Very nice.

[JOYCEfromNS]

Nice to see a 50th getting played enough to need a fret level already! 

It sure is - I don't think I had mine out of the case a dozen times 

I am also impressed. I think many folks would try to preserve the guitar by playing it less. I also imagine the many hours of playing have helped the guitar develop a nice tone. It takes a lot of playing to wear frets like that. We know you are a quite good player... looking at fret wear by a single player over several years on one guitar is like, pretty cool.
Mike

[B0WIE]

I am also impressed. I think many folks would try to preserve the guitar by playing it less. I also imagine the many hours of playing have helped the guitar develop a nice tone. It takes a lot of playing to wear frets like that. We know you are a quite good player... looking at fret wear by a single player over several years on one guitar is like, pretty cool.
Mike

Yea, I'd venture to guess it's among the best sounding 50'ths out there based on the amount of break in time it's had.

[markj]

It sure is - I don't think I had mine out of the case a dozen times  

My philosophy on this subject is basically, who or what are you saving it for?  I bought this guitar for me. I intend to get my money's worth out of it. Why save it for someone who didn't pay for it?  

Play it!  

p.s. I mean that in the nicest way possible.