How to smooth out rough fret edges?

[WillPlay4Food]

I have a bass that has rough fret edges to the point that I can't play it because it shreds my fretting index finger underneath the second knuckle (to the point of bleeding the last time I played this bass).

How should I go about smoothing the edges? I'm not talking about the top of the fret where the strings hit (would that be crowning?) but the edge that pokes out the G string side of the neck.

Thanks for any help.

[joeyl]

You are having fret sprout and it gets worse when the air is dry and the wood shrinks.

some masking tape to protect the fretboard's side, and use flat needle files to smooth the fret protrusion. For a new unfinished neck, I usually get some 220 sandpaper stuck to a sanding block and run it along the side of the board to smooth the fret ends.

[bherman]

Originally Posted by WillPlay4Food

I have a bass that has rough fret edges to the point that I can't play it because it shreds my fretting index finger underneath the second knuckle (to the point of bleeding the last time I played this bass).

How should I go about smoothing the edges? I'm not talking about the top of the fret where the strings hit (would that be crowning?) but the edge that pokes out the G string side of the neck.

Thanks for any help.

I had this same problem on one of my basses (although not as bad as yours - no bleeding!). I took a very fine, very small fflat jewelers file that I have and VERY CAREFULLY filed down the rough spots. The tricky part is not to damage the finish of the wood. I'll be interested in seeing if anyone else has ideas - but this approach worked for me. I would not try it with a big file, though - needs to be very fine and small.

[MonetBass]

Originally Posted by joeyl

You are having fret sprout and it gets worse when the air is dry and the wood shrinks.

some masking tape to protect the fretboard's side, and use flat needle files to smooth the fret protrusion.

This. I had this problem with my new MIM Strat. The key is to work v e r y... s l o w l y... with a light touch. Mine isn't perfect now, but is MUCH better than it was.

[WillPlay4Food]

Thanks for the help folks.

Originally Posted by joeyl

You are having fret sprout and it gets worse when the air is dry and the wood shrinks.

It's been like this since day 1 so maybe wherever it lived before it got to me had too little humidity?

[Lesfunk]

It happens. If you don't feel comfortable filing on your bass, a Luthier will do it for you usually for reasonable cost. About 1/2 hour labor

[ZanaZulu807]

Originally Posted by joeyl

You are having fret sprout and it gets worse when the air is dry and the wood shrinks.

Glad to know this. I bought an all maple neck Stingray this year and I noticed lately that the fret's edges are more prominent, never happened with my other rosewood neck Stingrays. I was getting worried that my neck was starting to warp.