Fret Maintenance

pgbassman · #1 06-20-2009, 06:24 AM

I picked up a 1993 MIM Fender Jazz bass that has very little playing time on it but the outside ends of the frets need to be dressed. What is the best way for me to approach this?

Vincent P · #2 06-20-2009, 06:33 AM

Hello pgbassman,

Dressed in what sense. Are the fretts buzzing, or are they in need of a simple good cleaning?

If they are buzzing, and you don't own the proper tools to dress the fretts, I would take it to a local shop and have a tech do the this and a full setup. Unless you've done this before, you can cause more headaches.

If its just cleaning, then simply remove the strings, or move them to the side. Then place either low tack painters tape, or I like to use post-it notes on either side of the fretts, then using 0000 (4x0) steel wool, buff each frett, dust off the steel wool dust, remove the tape/post-its and apply lemon oil.

Hope this helps,
Vince P

pgbassman · #3 06-20-2009, 09:55 AM

I'm sorry Vincent I should have been clearer with my issue. The problem is with the outside ends of the frets on both sides of the neck being sharp. I can feel them as I go up and down the neck. The frets themselves seem to be fastened to the neck properly and there is little wear if any to contend with and no fret buzz. I feel that a slight filing would do the trick but I don't know what type of file is needed and what cautions I should be aware of.

bassteban · #4 06-20-2009, 10:02 AM

It sounds like the fretboard has shrunk slightly, leaving just enough of the fret ends protruding to be felt. I've filed these down on my own basses w/a fine-tooth flat file, being very careful(you might even mask the front/top of the fretboard; the tapewill not provide much actual protection, but it will act as a gauge and let you know when you're at a bad angle)not to hit the fretboard. Slightly touching the edges of the FB will round it over, which gives it a broken-in feel(IMO).

ErebusBass · #5 06-20-2009, 10:04 AM

Hi.

Judging by the fact that you were unable to spell either the word "fret" or the word "maintenance," I would take it to someone who knows what they're doing.

pgbassman · #6 06-20-2009, 10:39 AM

Thats what happens when you ask a drummer to post for you after a gig.

wysiwyg248 · #7 06-20-2009, 10:47 AM

pgbassman,
The issue you describe is very common, take the bass to a professional to even the fret's edges. It should take 5 min. and generally they don't charge (if you are a customer), at least that is my case with a great guy I know near by (Mike Koontz)

bassteban · #8 06-20-2009, 10:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ErebusBass

Hi.

Judging by the fact that you were unable to spell either the word "fret" or the word "maintenance," I would take it to someone who knows what they're doing.

HEY- it is NOT grammar, punctuation & spelling Nazi Wednesday. Be nice.

dmusic148 · #9 06-20-2009, 10:54 AM

Easiest way I've found is to first, run a strip of cellophane tape the length of the fingerboard, just under the fret tangs. Cellophane tape is thinner than masking tape so you can cut closer without hitting the wood. Then tape up your pickups and pots with masking tape to prevent metal shavings from contaminating them. You may also want to tape up the body where the neck joins it, to avoid damage.
Next, use a large, fine tooth flat file, in the long direction, against the fret ends-this way you do several frets at once. Vary the angle every few passes to achieve a rounded profile. Once you've got em down as far as possible without hitting wood, use a fine grade (320 grit) sanding sponge, again in the long direction. This will dig in to the spaces between frets in order to round the edges. Finish with 0000 steel wool. Once finished, place additional masking tape sticky side down against the tape that you previously stuck over your pickups, so that when you remove it the metal shavings remained trapped between layers of tape.

Greevus · #10 06-20-2009, 11:00 AM

i had a bass with the same problem. it was that the lack of humidity had shrunk the neck board.
i simply added a bit of humidity to the room, and in a few days the problem was solved. i thought the edges were sharp too, but humidity changes can do it.

Zooberwerx · #11 06-20-2009, 02:47 PM

Unless you've done this before, take it to a pro. Your best bet is to wait until the wood shrinks a bit (like the dead of winter) when the fret sprout is more pronounced.

Riis

Rocky McDougall · #12 06-20-2009, 03:04 PM

Most MIM Fenders need the ends of the frets dressed to have a smooth feel like a MIA neck. Stew Mac sells several tools for this job. They are a little expensive for a one-time use. I have a set of small jewelers files of different shapes and they work just fine. To be safe, tape off the fretboard next to the fret. With a very small file, hold at an angle so that the file does not touch the wood, only the fret. Use long smooth strokes to remove the sharp edges. Sometimes the fret extends out past the edge of the fretboard, in that case, you would want to file the tip so that it is smooth to the touch from the edge. I do this on all of the MIM Fenders I service in my shop. It is part of a service/setup which takes about 3-4 hours to do.
Rocky

pgbassman · #13 06-21-2009, 04:42 AM

Thanks to everyone for their help. Now off to study for my spelling bee

JustDavid · #14 06-21-2009, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greevus

i had a bass with the same problem. it was that the lack of humidity had shrunk the neck board.
i simply added a bit of humidity to the room, and in a few days the problem was solved. i thought the edges were sharp too, but humidity changes can do it.

That's definitely what's happening, but I think you've labelled & fixed the wrong problem area.

Filing the fret edges is a better, truer, & more permanent repair. Best done when humidity is at it's lowest (the dead of winter). Get it done next February, & it might want a touch-up the year after.