Ken, I've gotten brave and done this a few times. I use a thick flat file to wear down the high spots then a few finer files and steel wool to polish the tops. Good idea is to use masking tape on the fretboard in between frest to prevent scratching the wood. Works like a charm!

I bought the tools and do it myself. Prices ridiculous as you said, but after repairing dozens of guitars, got my money back a few times.

I guess I'll try to find the right tools on ebay or Craigslist first. Two local guys want up to $150 to level the frets and set it up. So... it's time to learn.
I've been watching tons of guitar repair videos.

how are your nuts and saddle now rick?

nuts fine, saddle fat. Kenny, that's why I hate Fenders.

Good advice, and thanks. But I've already done those things, and so has my tech guru who is a luthier and builds arch tops.
he has been fixing guitars for about 40 years and has done work for some pretty famous players, so I trust his judgement.
This guy says the frets need to be levelled.
I raised the action to the point where it just makes me grunt.
So, I'll order the tools and have a crack at filing the frets myself.
If I screw it up, I'll get it fixed one way or the other, but I think I can learn how to do it.

Good luck.. I would trust his judgement too. Good luck.. i just checked out some teles that are not in my rotation.. a they are a little out of whack as well... the heat... gonna try the humidifier first and then small adjustments... looks like it might be time for me to learn too.

I have a crappy 1987 Peavey Patriot (MIA) that will be my guinei pig. (Could have used spell check there - don't know how on this site). Thanx for the idea.. youtube and TDPRI.

Before I did my first one, I was very apprehensive too. No Guts no Glory! Just use common sense when doing it. Don't "over file" initially. With experience you'll figure out when to stap and check. Worst thing that could happen is u buy a new neck. I DO like Teles for their tone, Strats are just one big PITA.

See, guys? We CAN have a thread on LR where musicians can exchange ideas in a civilized way! Hooray for us!

I'm gonna install some pickups in this guitar soon too. I'll let ya know how the whole project comes out. Still looking for a cheap Epiphone or something to experiment on. Craugslist is full of 'em. Talk to ya soon...

Yeah i got a couple of lp's on cl on the cheap. Like 200 each. I still play mostly teles though.

build one

I will. I've been looking.
My project , right now, is this Gretsch.
God! I just love this guitar!
Bob Meltz worked on it, and let me tell ya - you can get your guitar set up by most any music store.
The guy who does the work might be good, or he might suck.
Bob Meltz is the fucking best I have ever seen.
I had to wait 3 weeks, but when I got this guitar back, I can NOT believe how much better it is.
I have owned and played many guitars in my life, but he has got this thing set up SO NICE... I just can't stop playing it. I don't want to.
The frets are just right. I actually had to raise the action a little because it was too easy to play! ...and the little things ...I never asked him to do, but he did them anyways... Can't stop playing this guitar.
Next: Locking tuners, and one new neck pickup. TV Jones Classic... after that, I'll start the Epiphone experiments.
This is fun!
I jammed with one of my old keyboard players tonight. He kept saying: "Let me hear that thing again."

I took an Epiphone Joe Pass Emperor and converted it to a Gretsch 6220 style. Replaced pickups with the TV Jones filtertrons, added a Bigsby and rewired to Gretsch style setup. Love the sound.

The video Don posted was useful. Ron Kirn who builds teles uses a 12" quarts block and sandpaper. Might try that route when i attempt this.

ahh quartz.