The Fret Files

The Fret Files


Latest Episodes

Ep 106 – Q&A
June 14, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions regarding Fiesta Red, Eric Johnson, James Cotton, Jack White, 1950's Telecasters, and more.

Ep 105 – Q&A
June 01, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions regarding Washburn guitars, rewiring a 335, lacquering over headstock decals, touching up paint, intonation, and more.

Ep 104 – Q&A
May 15, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa take questions regarding fret removal, fret crowning tools, microphonic pickups, residue removal, and 'overdoing it' when it comes to oiling fingerboards. Eric also gives Melissa a quiz called "Blues Musician or Guita...

Ep 103 – Q&A
May 01, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa talk guitar news and then answer questions about Alnico magnets, pickup phase and hum cancelling, refretting, coffee snobbery, and why Eric uses ash for most of his guitar builds.

Ep 102 – Q&A
April 14, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa answer questions about string gauge, Danelectro volume and tone controls, how often to oil your rosewood fingerboard, shielding guitar cavities, ground loops, and how to make your guitar ring out like a piano.

Ep 101 – Q&A
April 01, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa answer questions about how to get started in a guitar repair career, guitar wiring, tune-o-matic post spacing, refret process, vintage guitar prices, neck resets, and some effect pedal/delay talk.

Ep 100 - Q&A
March 15, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa answer questions about tune-o-matic bridges, guitar straps, fingerboard inlays on a Harmony Meteor, how long does it take for a guitar to 'settle in' after a set-up, and more in this special commercial free 100th episode.

Ep 99 - Q&A
March 01, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa answer questions about ebony fingerboards, fake ebony fingerboards, warped fingerboards, reverse headstocks, Danelectro binding edge tape, and which shipping service is best. I'll give you a hint, it's not FedEx.

Ep 98 – Dave Staudte
February 15, 2020

In this episode, Eric interviews veteran luthier, guitar repair guru, and Taylor Guitars employee Dave Staudte from San Diego, Ca. Eric and Dave talk about all kinds of repairs and techniques from neck resets to finish work.

Ep 97 – Q&A
February 01, 2020

In this episode, Eric and Melissa answer emails with questions about pickup polarity and “phase,” rewiring the electronics in an archtop, fixing a wobbly bridge on an Epiphone Casino, straightening out an old Harmony neck, and the proper use of…