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The Katana Fret-Level System

What is a Fret-Level?


Think of a fret-level like race-tuning your car's engine. A fret-level is is a process whereby a guitar tech or luthier, removes the strings from the neck of a guitar and and sands the frets across the entire neck, usually with a sanding block to attempt to make all the frets perfectly level. Sounds good in theory. But there's an inherrent problem.

The Problem


When the guitar is re-strung and brought up to tension (and tuned to pitch) the neck starts to move, as it's supposed to, into its very slight upward bow. More likely than not, when the guitar is played it buzzes. For most luthiers or guitar techs, this is standard practice. They then remove the strings and try again. They get close but they never quite achieve a perfect fret level. Why? The standard fret-leveling procedure does not take into account the final upward curve of the neck at tension, when its being played.

The Solution


The Katana system allows our guitar techs to leave the strings on, at tension and the guitar tuned up to play. The Katana tool is positioned on the neck and adjusted (it also has a truss rod inside) to match the curve of the neck. It's then further positioned between the strings utilizing its clever design and the guitar tech begins sanding the frets. Once the sanding is complete and prior to any fret dressing that is needed, the guitar tech can play the guitar, as is, to see if they've sanded enough to eliminate high or uneven frets.

Easier To Play

There's no doubt that the Katana produces a fret-level appreciated by players of all levels. Your guitar plays better, feels better and allows you to play longer with less fatigue.

Way More Fun

Because your guitar plays great, it's more fun to play. When you're not hearing buzzing, you're more open to allowing yourself to enjoy the learning process.

Highly Recomended

Not only do we recomend getting a Katana fret-level but over 75% of new Fretlight owners add the Kanata service to their orders. Add that to a new set of Dean Markely strings and you're set!


The Katana Fret-Level system and tool is covered under International Patents and Patents pending as well as U.S. Patent US9224369B2. PLEASE NOTE: All of our electrics are set-up with 10 gauge strings (10-46) and our acoustics are set-up with light gauge strings (11-52).