Frets 12 and up problem

Stilettoprefer · #1 09-23-2011, 05:12 PM

Okay, so the last parts build I did works fantastically. I actually used it as my main on my last gig. Well, I never played above the 12th fret until today. I was messing around and after the 12th fret the strings didn't make any noise. Just a thunk from me plucking the string, of course the very last fret worked since there's nothing in it's path of travel.

I checked the action and it's good (on the higher side actually), the relief is pretty good but I'll try and take out some more later to see if that helps at all. the neck was off of a squier VM P. The previous owner bought the bass and immediately swapped it for a J neck.

Am I gonna need a fret job? If it does need one I'll probably just defret it since I want a fretless anyways and my Schecter is a good fretted bass.

Musiclogic · #2 09-23-2011, 06:47 PM

Yeah, you probably need a fretjob. Level, crown, polish and go. If you can do it, if not have fun with the defret and post some pics for the masses.

praisegig · #3 09-23-2011, 07:05 PM

If have a Fret Rocker, check for high frets. If you do decide to get a fret job, have the luthier create a fall off from the 12th fret and up.

FBB Custom · #4 09-23-2011, 07:49 PM

How high is your action and how much relief? And where are you measuring those distances? You have to imagine the geometry that would result in the problem you are having. I would think given the symptom there's at least some setup issues.

Jazz Ad · #5 09-23-2011, 07:58 PM

The description you give sounds a lot like your neck is ski ramping.

Musiclogic · #6 09-23-2011, 09:55 PM

Just out of curiosity...why a fall off? I have had a few people come into my shop asking for this. I have seen it on fretlesses, and I just do not get it. After almost 30 years of doing repair, I have still never heard anyone explain why this would be done unless the neck was warped. If the fretwork is done properly, the more acute angle for each fret continuing up the fretboard makes a fall off unnecessary unless the fretjob is faulty to start with or the neck is warped.

Stilettoprefer · #7 09-23-2011, 10:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jazz Ad

The description you give sounds a lot like your neck is ski ramping.

Is this a serious problem? If I do go fretless with this neck (I need a senior project, so this is likely to happen) I would in theory be able to correct this with a radius block and sand paper?

My first attempt at de-fretting a bass ended up being a disaster (bass was crap anyways so no big loss) so I'd be doing it right this time and buying proper tools instead of a screw driver and wood filler:P

And I don't really take measurements Just eyeball and adjust until there is no buzz. But i'll give you some since i'm really looking for advice on the situation. The relief at the 7th fret is a little more than the thickness of a buisness card when the string is pressed at the first and last fret. And the action at the 12th fret is the thickness of 2 picks, so roughly 2.28mm. And the nut does need to be lowered eventually but that isnt a factor for fretted notes.

EDIT: and the neck is shimmed on the bridge end so that I can get decent action without bottoming out the saddles.

praisegig · #8 09-24-2011, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Musiclogic

Just out of curiosity...why a fall off? I have had a few people come into my shop asking for this. I have seen it on fretlesses, and I just do not get it. After almost 30 years of doing repair, I have still never heard anyone explain why this would be done unless the neck was warped. If the fretwork is done properly, the more acute angle for each fret continuing up the fretboard makes a fall off unnecessary unless the fretjob is faulty to start with or the neck is warped.

Understand. Although, none of my basses have a fall off, I have played basses that have had this process done. It makes for super low action without the possibility of fret buzz or going # when playing in the upper range. It is probably for the really nick picking player, but sure is nice to have a bass that doesn't need much finger pressure to fret a note. JMHO

FBB Custom · #9 09-24-2011, 08:47 AM

Fall off is pretty common and is to compensate for areas of the neck where it might be relatively flat (compound radius) an the frets are close together. You can also compensate with action, and in fixed radius boards you get fall off as part of the process.

OP, if you remove the frets, most fingerboard problems can be corrected with a flat sanding stick. It sounds to me like the symptom you are describing is a problem with either the setup or the surface of the fingerboard (I think this is what "ski ramping" refers to). Some necks develop a hump around the body join and while you can take the hump out of the frets, the hump is still there.

I would start by being absolutely certain that the setup is right and the neck itself is flat.

Musiclogic · #10 09-24-2011, 11:44 PM

Just sounds like pweople who don't know how to do proper fretwork. Instruments leave my shop with 3/32" action standard, 1/16" upon request higher also by request, I guess these guys are doing lower action than that. It may be common, but I wonder why. I posted a query about this at the Guild of American Luthiers site too, as I could see this as possibly being used for acoustic and jazz guitars. Thanks for the input.

SLaPiNFuNK · #11 09-24-2011, 11:50 PM

ski-ramp neck +1

Stilettoprefer · #12 09-27-2011, 10:39 PM

the action was too low by like a half spin on each adjustment pole. So a teeny tiny more action solved all the problems with the neck:P musta been something to do with having a shim in the pocket.

I'm gonna go enjoy my now nearly perfect, buzz free parts P now:P