Thursday, August 06, 2026

Ibanez GIO GRG121PAR - Fretwork

Photographed on August 2, 2026.
CA Guitar Repair. Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.



Fret tops colored with permanent marker

Leveling - First Pass. Black marks are low spots.

Subsequent leveling has removed the low spots

Leveling - Final Pass

Frets Are Level

Creating "Fall Away" From Frets 15 - 24

StewMac Fret Crowning File (Z-File)

Crowning the Frets

Polishing Sides of Frets

Scraping the Fretboard

Abrading Frets - Silicon Carbide Paper

Polishing Frets - 3M Scotch-Brite Pads

Polishing Frets - 0000 Steel Wool

Cleanup With Naphtha

Conditioning the Fretboard


Wednesday, August 05, 2026

1983 Fender MIJ Strat - August 5 Update

Hardware Upgrades and Replacements

Upgrades and replacements include a new set of Korean #0965NI-R6 vintage-style tuners, white plastic Strat control knobs (Imperial/24 Splines), Allparts stainless steel pickguard screws, pickup mounting tubing, pickup height adjustment screws, saddle intonation and height adjustment screws, and also strap button screws.    



New Vintage-Style Tuners Installed (Front)

New Vintage-Style Tuners Installed (Back)

String Tree Retained After Servicing



Electronics Upgrades and Replacements

Upgrades and replacements include vintage-style cloth push-back wire (white, black and yellow), three CTS 250K audio taper pots, an Oak Grigsby five-way selector switch, and a K73-16 0.022uF tone cap.



Vintage-Style Wire and Other Upgrades

Oak Grigsby Selector Switch

Pots and Switch Installed on Pickguard

Cleaning Pickup Covers and Pole Pieces

Height Adjustment Screws and Mounting Tubing

Pickups Installed on Pickguard

Rewiring Completed

Undersides of Pickups

Volume and Tone Pots

Tone Pots and K73-16 Tone Cap

Switchcraft Jack Retained After Servicing

Jack Plate Reinstalled

Tremolo Claw Ground Soldered On

Tremolo Claw and Springs Reinstalled

Electronics Upgrades Completed

Close-Up of the Pickups

Control Knobs and Selector Switch

Refurbished Vintage-Style Tremolo Bridge



1983 Fender MIJ Strat - Fretwork

Photographed on August 2, 2026 at CA Guitar Repair. 
Taman Impian Ku, 25200 Kuantan.



Fretboard taped off and fret tops marked.

Leveling - First Pass. Black marks are low spots.

Closer View of Low Spots

Subsequent leveling has removed the low spots

Leveling - Final Pass

Frets Are Level

Creating "Fall Away" From Frets 15 - 21

StewMac Fret Crowning File (Z-File)

Crowning the Frets

Polishing Sides of Frets - Daiso Eraser

Abrading Frets - Silicon Carbide Paper

Abrading Frets - 3M Softback Sanding Sponge

Polishing Frets - 3M Scotch-Brite Pads

Polishing Frets - 0000 Steel Wool

Masking Tape Removed

Cleanup With Naphtha

Waxing the Fretboard With Beeswax

Buffing the Fretboard and Neck

Fretwork Completed