Refretting Techniques Course in Paris
Description
Master the delicate art of fret replacement. This technical 3-day course covers everything from fret removal and slot cleaning to installation, leveling, crowning, and polishing. Work on practice necks and bring your own instrument if desired (completion depends on pace and prior experience).
This course is ideal for builders, techs, or experienced players looking to deepen their repair skills.
If you have any questions, you are always welcome to contact us. We'll get back to you as soon as possible, within 24 hours on weekdays.
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3-Day Refretting Course
This focused 3-day workshop is designed for builders, repairers, and curious players who want to understand and perform high-quality fret replacement. You’ll learn the full process of removing worn frets, preparing the fingerboard, installing new fretwire, and dialing in a playable surface through leveling, crowning, and polishing. Whether you’re preparing for future repairs or want to deepen your technical control of the fretboard, this course gives you real, practical skill — and a huge boost in instrument knowledge.
Bring your own guitar or bass if you’d like to practice on your own instrument (must be approved in advance), or train on a dedicated neck provided in the workshop.
Defretting & Fingerboard Prep
You’ll begin by learning how to evaluate fret condition and safely remove existing frets without damaging the fingerboard. We’ll cover proper heating technique, safe fret pulling, slot cleaning, and what to watch out for with different fingerboard woods. You’ll practice on a test neck or your own instrument, guided step-by-step. This phase sets the foundation for clean installation and accurate playability.
Leveling for Precision
Frets must be leveled for consistent action and buzz-free play. You’ll learn how to use a fret rocker, straightedge, and leveling beam to identify and address high spots. We’ll walk through the process of carefully leveling the entire fretboard, followed by accurate reshaping to maintain string definition and clarity.
Installing New Frets
Once the board is clean and prepared, you’ll move into fretwire selection and shaping. We’ll cover fretwire types, tang prep, pre-bending radius, and hammer vs. press installation methods. You’ll install your full fret set on the neck, learning how to keep seating consistent and deal with tricky ends or stubborn slots.
Crowning & Polishing
After leveling, you’ll re-round the fret tops (crowning) and polish them to a smooth, fast finish. You’ll use proper files, abrasives, and micro-mesh to get a clean, professional shine. This final step makes all the difference in comfort, tone, and playability. You’ll also learn how to detect problems early — such as uneven crowning or over-filing — and correct them.
What You'll Learn
Throughout the course, you’ll acquire professional-level techniques, including:
- How to evaluate fret condition and diagnose refret needs
- Safe fret removal techniques using heat and pullers
- Cleaning and preparing fret slots for installation
- Selecting, shaping, and radiusing fretwire
- Installing frets by hammer or press with clean seating
- Detecting and correcting high frets using rocker and leveling beams
- Leveling all frets evenly for consistent string action
- Crowning frets to restore a rounded profile
- Polishing frets for a smooth, professional finish
- Recognizing issues like loose frets, chip-out, and slot wear — and how to address them
- Working with rosewood and maple-style fingerboards
- Developing a step-by-step workflow for future refrets
What You’ll Leave With
- A completed refret on a provided or personal neck
- Understanding of fretwire prep, seating, and tang management
- Hands-on leveling and crowning experience
- Familiarity with all key tools: fret pullers, leveling beams, crowning files
- Troubleshooting instincts for common fret issues
- Printed workflow reference and tool checklists
- A big jump in confidence with fretwork and neck geometry
Belforti Tool Kit Option (Recommended)
- Precision Notched Fretboard Ruler
- Digital String Height Gauge
- Z-File
- Fret Slot Depth Gauge
- Triangular File
- Fret Leveling File
- Fret Dressing File
- Deadblow Hammer
Why It’s Worth Having:
- Continue practicing setup techniques after the course
- Save time during class — no waiting for shared tools
- Use the same tools we use in the workshop
- A perfect base kit for any player or future builder
The Belforti Tool Kit is available for purchase during registration or on-site at the workshop. You can also borrow tools during the course for free by leaving a refundable deposit.
Day by Day Program
Day 1
- Introduction to different fretboard woods and how they react (rosewood, maple, ebony, pau ferro)
- Heat-assisted fret removal: technique, pacing, clean extraction
- Identifying and preventing chipping
- Cleaning fret slots and assessing depth & width
- Surface prep: checking radius, trueness, and anomalies
- Hands-on session: removing all frets on the provided practice neck
- End-of-day inspection and corrections
Day 2
- Overview of fretwire types: sizes, tangs, material hardness
- Cutting frets to length, prepping ends, radius matching
- Hammering vs pressing: advantages and correct technique
- Installing frets evenly, controlling seating and springiness
- Checking seating with feeler gauges and correcting problem frets
- Hands-on: installing all frets on the practice neck using the taught method
- End-of-day: quality check, addressing loose frets
Day 3
- Marking techniques for accurate leveling
- Using leveling beams with controlled material removal
- Crowning methods: diamond files, safe-edge tools, technique pacing
- Polishing sequence from abrasive prep to final compound
- End-dressing and bevel geometry (safe ends, angle consistency)
- Final inspection: testing smoothness, buzz control, visual quality
- Closing review + long-term practice advice
Course Details
Price
700€
*+Optional Belforti Tool Kit
3D Printed Neck Rest Offered
Who it’s for
This program is ideal for:
- Passionate builders who want full control of every design and construction choice
- Players seeking to bring a dream instrument to life, from concept to tone
- Serious students preparing to launch their own builds or apply for apprenticeships
- Those who’ve completed the 3-week course or already have solid workshop experience
This is not a beginner course. You must be comfortable with tools, materials, and multi-day focused work.
Location
Belforti Instruments Manufacture
Greater Paris area
41bis rue des Mazurières - 92500 Rueil-Malmaison
Breaks & Lunch
- 1-hour lunch break daily
- Coffee/tea and water available
- Bring your own lunch or use nearby cafés
What’s Provided
- A test neck for practice (if needed)
- All required fretwire and consumables
- StewMac tools (pullers, files, beams, rockers, abrasives, etc.)
- Printed handouts with diagrams and steps
- Optional neck stands and jigs
- Workshop space, lighting, and safety gear
- Coffee, tea & light refreshments
What to Bring
- Closed-toe footwear and workshop-safe clothes
- Hearing protection (muffling recommended)
- Your own guitar or neck (optional — must be pre-approved)
- Your own tool kit if available (recommended)
- A notepad or laptop for taking notes/photos
- Optional: magnifier lamp or visor if you prefer
Duration & Group Size
- Duration: 6 weeks
- Daily Hours: 9:30 AM – 5:30 PM (approx)
- Max 2 participants per session
- Full-time, hands-on format
Disclaimer
This course provides a full walkthrough of modern refretting, but the ability to complete a refret during the 3 days depends on your prior skill level, pace, and attention to detail. If you bring your own instrument, we cannot guarantee full completion within the timeframe — especially if the fingerboard or frets require unexpected correction.
You’ll receive all the knowledge and support needed, but fretwork is highly detail-sensitive and takes time to master. This is a high-level introductory course, not a substitute for long-term experience.
FAQs
Can I bring my own guitar or neck to refret?
Yes — you're welcome to bring your own electric guitar or bass neck, but it must be pre-approved before the course begins. If your instrument is especially worn, fragile, or complex, we may suggest training on a workshop-provided neck instead to ensure a smooth learning process.
Will I be able to complete a full refret in three days?
That depends entirely on your pace, precision, and starting point. Some students finish a complete refret; others focus on mastering each technique without rushing. We prioritize correct workflow over speed — your success is measured in quality, not time.
Is this course suitable for complete beginners?
This course assumes basic familiarity with guitar structure and workshop tools. It’s suitable for serious beginners or intermediate hobbyists, but not ideal as a first-ever contact with instrument care. If you're new to tool handling, consider taking the Setup course first.
What kinds of frets and fingerboards are covered?
We’ll work with standard nickel-silver fretwire on either rosewood or maple-style fingerboards. We focus on common fret sizes and modern radius necks. If your project uses stainless steel, unusual fretwire, or vintage radii, let us know in advance.
Can I take this course if my instrument is bound or has inlays?
Yes, but keep in mind that refretting bound necks or complex inlay work adds extra difficulty. If you're training for the first time, we recommend starting with an unbound test neck before moving to advanced work.
Will I be ready to offer refrets to clients after this course?
Not yet — fretwork takes extensive practice to perform reliably for clients. This course gives you a solid foundation, clear process, and confidence to begin practicing seriously, but professional-level consistency takes time and repetition.