It is no secret that dull, corroded strings are hard to play – and yet many guitar players are not aware of the fact that clean and polished frets can also significantly improve playability, and that worn-out frets can cause more string breakages than any bending or vibrato technique. But here is the good news: Fret polishing is now easier than ever thanks to the special Fret Polishing Kit from MusicNomad, which offers all the necessary equipment for a hassle-free final polishing job after refretting, fret levelling, or restringing.
The core component of the MusicNomad Fret Polishing Kit is its innovative petroleum-free polishing paste, which has been specially developed to allow fine grooves and scratches to be safely removed from metal surfaces using micro-fine polishing particles. The scope of delivery also includes three thin stainless steel fingerboard guards in different sizes (small/vintage, medium, and jumbo), which have been specifically designed by MusicNomad with an ergonomic handle for even greater ease of use. The set is perfectly complemented by a machine-washable and reusable microfibre cloth that allows excess polish to be optimally removed from the surface.
The MusicNomad Fret Polishing Kit is eminently suitable for professional repair shops and touring guitar techs who want to put the finishing touches on instruments after refretting or fret levelling, but it will also make a perfect addition to every guitar and bass player's arsenal of tools, since it is child's play to use and will instantly deliver striking results. What is more, MusicNomad's excellent website offers beginners and experts all the necessary care and maintenance videos, together with detailed descriptions of how to use the Fret Polishing Kit.
MusicNomad was founded by Rand Rognlien, a specialist for automotive paint care products and a passionate hobby musician. When he launched the MusicNomad web portal in 2008 to build a network for himself and his fellow musicians along the lines of Facebook, he needed a strategy to raise the necessary funds. That was when Rand's extensive professional expertise came into play and he started to develop professional instrument care products for all kinds of materials and surfaces, from lacquer and metal to bare wood, which he soon complemented by a selection of special tools. Since then, MusicNomad has become a household name in music communities in over 50 countries worldwide and is the preferred choice of numerous renowned guitar manufacturers, such as Taylor Guitars and Martin Guitars.
It goes without saying of course that the strings need to be taken off the instrument in order for the MusicNomad Fret Polishing Kit to be used. All users then have to do is select the fingerboard guard with the appropriate slot size (small, medium, or jumbo), place it over the first fret wire, dab a small (approximately pea-sized) amount of polishing paste on the microfibre cloth, and apply this to the fret in a back-and-forth motion for a few seconds until it is clean. This step is repeated for each individual fret going up the fingerboard. Thanks to their innovative slim design, the MusicNomad Fretboard Guards will perfectly fit guitars of all sizes, including those with a short Gibson scale length and with 24 frets, where space becomes tight in the upper registers.