Ebony Fretboard Shrinkage - Frets Pushing Fretboard Wood Out

[Skygoneblue]

Hey guys, I posted this in the bass forum by mistake, and they redirected me here for help.

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/fix...bulges-958838/

Basically, I have a 6-string with an ebony fretboard. It's a cold, dry winter here in Iowa, and the board is shrinking (as expected). However, now the fret ends (which are COVERED by wood on the ends) are pushing the fretboard wood out, creating small bumps all along the underside of my neck. It feels like sharp frets, but it's actually just wood.

Is there anything other than humidification that can be done about this? I've read about fret filing, and that's NOT the issue here. It's the wood bulging out, creating sharp little points from the metal beneath.

Thanks in advance!

My actual bass:


Just to clarify:

[Ric5]

Originally Posted by Skygoneblue

Is there anything other than humidification that can be done about this?

When wood dries it shrinks. That is the nature of the material. So unless you live in an area where the temperature and humidity levels stay constant for 365 days a year then you will have to control the humidity levels.

Also you may have to fix the bass as well. Pretty much any bass needs this fixed. The only basses that do not get this problem as the basses with bound necks.

I use a dremmel tool and fix this myself. Otherwise the frets will tear up my left hand.

[Skygoneblue]

Thanks for the reply man. Can you describe how you remedy this issue with a dremel tool? (I'm not even sure what that is.)

I am keeping a small Planet Waves humidifier in the case with my bass to hope to help the shrinkage a bit. I would love to fix this more permanently though if possible. That rough bumpy crap drives me insane!