I recently purchased an Agile AL-2000 guitar. I was very happy with the tone of the guitar but it did need some minor modifications to give the feel of a custom built guitar. One problem I had was the fret ends were a bit sharp. This is usually one of the things that distinguishes a higher-end guitar from less expensive factory built ones. This is an extra time-consuming process that is usually foregone to save cost.

I'm outlining the steps I performed on my guitar. For less then $30 worth of tools from Stew-Mac and about an hours worth of time, you can make a big difference in the feel of your guitar. WARNING: If you decide to try this, be very careful with this process...it IS irreversible!

Tools used:
- Stewart-MacDonald Fret End Dressing File - Link
- Stewart-MacDonald Fret Dressing Stick - Link
- Stewart-Macdonald String Action Gauge - Link
- Sharpie Marker
- Low-Tack Blue Painters Tape
- Block Sander (Wet-Dry Sandpaper)


1) Make sure to tape the fingerboard using low-tack painters tape

Start with the sides....



Then the top...




2) Use a marker (sharpie) to measure out how far from the edge of the fret board you want to file. Remember this is an irreversible process. Make sure you don't go too far!!!




3) File Fret Ends with a Fret End Dressing File (from Stew-Mac)





4) Follow up with a Fret Dressing Stick Sander (from Stew-Mac)




5) To ensure consistent feel across the board, lightly sand with a block sander




6) Finish up with some .0000 steel wool



Again, be careful! But for a small investment in tools you can give you guitar a more comfortable feel, increasing playability. It also helps to reference a high-end guitar to see the exact shape of some well rounded fret ends. Take the time to visit a guitar shop and locate a guitar the feels "just right" in your hands and look at how the fret ends have been shaped. You will find that this fine bit of finishing work plays a big part in giving a guitar that vintage worn-in feel!