Fret level

The measured height of the top of each fret, and by extension the condition of the fret plane as a whole.

Frets are levelled together with a file or a long flat beam so that they all sit on the same plane, which is what lets every note sound without buzz at a sensible action. If one fret stands proud, it will rattle only under the strings that cross it, and the rest of the board can be perfectly fine. Measuring the level across the neck, or checking it with a notched straightedge on the fingerboard, is how a technician locates the offending fret.

Example: excessive relief in the neck can make the upper frets falsely appear high, so relief is checked before any fret level is judged.

Fret level

See also