fret lift problem

[BassLife77]

The frets on one my el cheapo basses are lifitng. The lift is only slight so it only cause the preceding fretted note to buzz. I push them down but they keep rising back up after I play the bass for awhile. how do I fix this. should I super glue them all down? that stuff is really messy and I would hate to ruin the neck. should I file the frets slightly?

[PBass101]

Take it to a technician.

[James Judson]

PBass gives good advise. A Luthier should have a tool that crimps the fret wire in to an "S" shape so it fits tighter into the slot.

[BassLife77]

Originally Posted by PBass101

Take it to a technician.

that would be the best option but the bass only cost me $80. I wanna see if I have any DIY options

[Stanley Design]

See if you can get some superglue into the hole and press it in. If it's too loose to "hammer" you might need to rig up some sort of press with a block of wood that has the same radius. Once you get it glued in it shouldn't move.

[T-Bird]

Hi.

Originally Posted by BassLife77

I wanna see if I have any DIY options

Defret or refret.

Your only options IMLE.

Most likely the problem is in the fret tangs not biting enough because of worn out dies.

That combined with the FB going through seasonal changes, the frets won't stay in place no matter what band aid remedy You come up with.

Regards
Sam

[202dy]

If you were to take the guitar to a luthier they would glue the offending frets down. Here's what's involved:

1. A coat of wax is applied to the fingerboard on either side of the fret.
2. Liquid thin CA glue is applied to either side of the fret.
3. The fret is pushed into place.
4. Accelerator is sprayed on the fret.
5. Clean up.
6. Spot level, crown, and polish.
7. Restring and set up.

A small precision straight edge can be employed to push the fret down and bridge the adjacent frets. If done carefully, the fret will not require spot leveling, crowning, and polishing.

This is an intermediate level repair. It requires some tools and knowledge of methods and materials. As always, if your precision tools must be held tightly as you swing them, take this to a pro. You may be surprised at how inexpensive this job is.

[PBass101]

You can always take it to a pro and get an estimate on cost, and make your decision there. Your bass may not be expensive, but a great setup vs. a bad setup is the difference between a great playing bass and a bad playing bass. Cost of the bass itself doesn't mean much; it's the attention to fine-tuning and adjustments that matter.