MusicNomad Diamond Safe Zone Guitar Fret Crowning File S-File Tool (MN850)

This crowning file is amazing. The no-grit “safe zone” is truly a game changer, and I think you would have to try very hard to botch a crowning job using this. You can just feel when the crowning is done, and the file just starts gliding across the fret without sanding anymore. Much faster than the standard filing methods, with lots of stopping and checking. It’s amazingly simple. The only actual drawback is that if you start your learning journey with this file, you’ll never learn how to do it the old school way, so you better not lose this tool. The only other thing to note is that the 240 grit does leave the frets a bit rougher than I’d like, so they do take a bit more work/time during final polishing. But the timed saved on crowning more than makes up for it, and then some. I posted some pictures of the progress of a single crown. You can’t expect amazon to put the pictures in order, but you can get the idea. Absolutely 5 stars, even a this fairly high price, it’s worth every penny.

Wonderful tool! This is a MUST HAVE for any beginning guitar tech who is afraid of the jump off from fretboard oiling, and fret polishing and into leveling and crowning. This has taken the learning curve from weeks to mere hours. Now, do not get too over-zealous in the fact that this tool will make you a instant luthier and tech, because while it has made it quick and safe, you still need to follow a guideline or two. For the price, this is perfect. I paid $84.99 and so far it has made that back plus more. If you look at the pictures (I wish I had a video, maybe in the future I'll make one) you will see that it leaves a perfect crown in the middle of the fret after you level. It has 2 fret sizes, so it has some versatility, and it is very accurate and predictable. Watch a few videos and you cannot go wrong with this tool in your money saving endeavor. Most guitar techs and luthiers will charge upwards of $150.00 for a fret leveling, crown and file. This tool is perfect if you just picked up a budget or used guitar and want to do the neck work yourself. The rubber surrounding this file makes it extremely durable, and actually helps my hands not get cramped up by making this file thicker than my baroque fret files, which tend to have wooden handles that begin to hurt my palm and cramp my hand after 10 minutes. All in all, you cannot go wrong. This is half the price of a StewMac fret file, and twice as much as a Baroque...but you certainly get what you pay for with this file.

I have 3 other crowning files similar to the music nomad s file, But similar is a vague statement? The design of the music nomad s file is pretty much fool proof compared to others, it leaves a nice even crown and does not take off the top of the frets after doing a fret leveling. I literally tried fairly hard to see if I could remove some of the top using a marker on top of a fret, and what I ended up with was a very fine bead on top of the fret, after doing this I used a fret rocker to confirm that the top of the fret was level with the fret before and after the fret I just crowned using the music nomad s file and the results were absolutely even all the way across the fret, so I proceeded to crown All existing frets checking each fret after the entire neck of fret leveling was finished..? The results were every single fret remained absolutely even! Now all my fret crowning files can do an okay job, but guaranteed none except for the music nomad s file can yield perfectly even results, and I am impressed to say the least. If you have never done a fret crowning Job, by a fret leveling beam, fret rocker, maybe a fret kisser for spot leveling,(I bet music nomad will come out with a spot leveling tool soon) a fret hammer, some 1000 grit sandpaper, 2000 grit sandpaper, (#0000 steel wool optional if you don't like using sandpaper to polish out the frets) before doing a fret leveling Job remove your strings, adjust truss rod to get the neck as flat straight as possible ( use a straight edge or notched straight edge to check this)make sure all frets are properly seated using a fret hammer tapping lightly (you might use a little wood glue or some type of super glue if frets won't stay seated) check every 3 fret span using a fret rocker, painter's/ masking tape between All frets, Mark fret tops with a blue marker, take your fret leveling beam and start with maybe 300 or 500 grit adhesive strips on sanding beam, proceed with even number of strokes getting All frets, look for marking pin tops that have marking pen on top, keep working the beam until marking pen is gone off frets, check every 3 fret span with fret rocker, all should be level at this point, take the music nomad s file and match the file side to your frets narrow and tall are common on fender/squier.. but check with manufacturer for the fret wire gauge, example, narrow and tall, medium jumbo etc. Go across each fret using the music nomad s file util the grinding sound changes to smooth sound, use 1000 grit to smooth out any filing scratches, then 2000 to get some shine, use some frine fret Polish, wipe off, remove masking tape, use some fretboard conditioner like f-one wipe off, restring and retune and your guitar will play as smooth as butter. There are some good YouTube videos by music nomad for all this and more... But the music nomad s file is simply unbeatable and fail proof, which Will give even beginners the confidence to go forward and giving there guitar a custom shop feel and optimum playability, intonation, and buttery smooth bends and playing in general..

I had leveled the frets on quite a few basses and guitars and realized (especially for guitars) the importance of a good crown on the fret in order for the strings to ring true (especially on the higher frets). I had a cheap crowning tool and the results were pretty good. Then I picked up a very nice Fender guitar and I thought, “This guitar deserves the treatment”. I already had the music nomad fret leveling bar (which made a huge difference) and I bought this tool and got perfectly leveled and crowned frets. And the results are excellent, it plays like hot glass and butter. I recommend getting the weighted fret leveling bar first, then this. Watch some good videos and read to figure out what you’re doing, practice on cheap instruments, and get good tools like this. * If I had to gripe about something - it’s that the cutting surface is so rough that I found it nearly impossible to smooth out the sides of the frets that were crowned.

Diamond Coated, Safe Zone Guitar Fret Crowning File (S-File) For context, I am a luthier of 40 years with two shops in Los Angeles County and Orange County, California. l use diamond crowning files rather than toothed crowning files for five reasons : 1. They don't leave chatter marks behind like toothed files sometimes do. 2. They cut quickly. 3. They also work quicker on stainless steel frets than toothed files do. 4. They are more durable. They last longer than toothed files because of the diamond particles imbedded in them 5. Toothed files only cut in the "push" direction. Diamond files cut in both "push" and "pull" directions, making the job even faster. I picked up Music Nomad's new S-File. I like to try out new tools to see how they perform and determine if I find something better than what I currently have. I bought an S-File to compare to my Z-Files. I've been using the StewMac Z-Files for years now, and I'm a huge fan of their quality and performance. The S-File has a nice weight and balance. It feels really good in my hand. The silicone grips are especially nice and add a comfort aspect to the design. The design with the silicone grip reduces hand fatigue and cramping, associated with other crowning files. The file is 240 grit diamond coating with a narrow uncoated strip in the center. This prevents you from removing too much fret material and creating a low spot. This makes the file (dare I say?) foolproof. (The Original Z-File is 300 grit and costs $104.49. The Compact Z-Files come in 150 and 300 grits. They cost $98.99 each.) Another nice feature is that you can use the curved ends of the file to dress the fret ends with a single swipe. It removes the sharp edge of the fret end and puts in its place a nice rounded crescent edge. I did find that the design of this file made crowning the frets much faster and easier. With the Original Z-Files, you have to file on one side of the fret, then flip the file and do the other side of the fret. You also have to be very careful when filing because the corners of the Z-Files are very sharp. If you accidentally slip off the fret, you can scratch or gouge the fretboard, even through the masking tape. I modified my own Z-Files by rounding off the corners on a bench grinder and beveling the edges with a file. You don't have to worry about this with the S-File. At $79.99 vs. StewMac's Original Z-File at $104.49, it's hard to argue with the S-File's bang for the buck. However, StewMac does have a Lifetime Promise on their tools that gives them added value and longevity : "Our promise to you is simple and uncomplicated. If any of our products ever break, wear out, or fail to exceed your every expectation, simply return it for a replacement." Something to take into consideration when investing in your tools that make you money. The S-File makes crowning fast and easy with a low learning curve. Pros will appreciate the ergonomics and its time-saving design. Those just starting out will love how easy this tool makes it to achieve professional results. Both will benefit from the quality and value. I will say that the StewMac Z-File does produce a narrower contact surface which I much prefer. Although it's more work, it does give better results. The S-File's contact surface is considerably wider, compared to the Z-File. Compare the two results in the attached photos. Having had the S-File for a while now, I find that I've gone back to the Z-Files because I get a better quality job. If I have a lot of jobs to do, I use the S-File to do a quick job and move more repairs out. I still get a good result that clients are happy with. The price, quality, and results achieved with this well designed tool make it an affordable, and attractive option to the Z-Files for both pros and hobbyists.

Terrific product - if I only had one crowning this might be it. I have several types and varieties and this makes a great addition to the tool rack. Cuts clean with minimal chatter.

This is a must if you do your own fret work. Not only is it easy to handle but it’s pretty much idiot proof.

Wonderful! Get it it’s fool proof and makes beautiful crowns

After 3 refrets with this crowning file, I can recommend it highly. The design of the tool virtually guarantees a very fine crown everytime. With two different sized grooves, it can cover most any size fret and does handle stainless steel frets very well. The one caveat I would add though is for first time users. Make sure you use the correct size for your fret job and always clean your file often to remove any debris that could hinder the workability of the file. Ergonomic and well weighted to allow you to let the tool do the work. Highly recommended

This is my 5th file in 7 years of hobby luthery, and I finally found it! Thank you Music Nomad! This thing works so much better than Z file from Stewmac it is not even in the same league.

Works 100% as described by the manufacture. I used these on a guitar to reform the crown. Very smooth and has 2 different sizes based on your guitars fret size. Heavy duty and should last a long time for the amount for fret work I will be doing.

Super outil qui m'a permis de faire finaliser la planimétrie de ma guitare et donner une seconde jeunesse à ses frettes ! La lime est ergonimique et simple d'utilisation.

Muy facil de usar, estaba usando las tipicas herramientas chinas y era mucho esfuerzo. Con esta trabaje muy rapido sobre trastes de acero, aun que me queda la duda de que tanto desgasto obtuvo la herramienta, siento que al final del trabajo ya no rebajaba igual, tengo otro proyecto por iniciar, ahi me voy a dar cuenta si es duradera o no.