Why the Name “Rectify Master”?

From “Rettifica dei Tasti” to a Brand

The name Rectify Master comes from the Italian phrase rettifica dei tasti — what luthiers in Italy have traditionally called “fret leveling.”

Why Not Just “Fret Leveling”?

The international expression fret leveling sounds closer to livellare i tasti — a term that was never part of my vocabulary. In Italy, luthiers have traditionally spoken of rettifica dei tasti. Rettifica doesn’t just mean to make things flat: it means to correct, to bring to the right condition. That is why the brand kept the word rectify: because it captures a broader, more accurate vision of what these tools were designed to achieve.

Beyond the Straight Line

Traditional tools simply flatten frets into a straight surface. Whether the fretboard is radiused or conical, the underlying reference is always the straight line that follows the strings. In the end, every fret is reduced to that rigid axis — leveling without taking into account the true goal: how the fret should behave when the instrument is actually played.

On top of leveling the frets straight, the Katana — one of the key Rectify Master innovations — can shape the fret tops with a calibrated profile that responds to string dynamics. The result can be minimal action, smoother playability, and added speed. In other words, it doesn’t just level — it can truly correct.

Italian Craft, Japanese Precision

Behind the brand stands its inventor: an Italian luthier who later chose Japan as his home. That blend of Italian craftsmanship and Japanese precision became part of the Rectify Master identity. Over time, the name grew beyond a description, becoming a registered brand in Japan — the country where its story fully unfolded.

The Phrase That Defined It All

From the very beginning, Rectify Master has carried a simple yet groundbreaking phrase: “fret leveling with strings on.”

It was more than a description — it became an identity. A way for players and luthiers to instantly recognize what made the tools different. So distinctive that the phrase itself was officially registered in Japan, alongside the Rectify Master brand.