My frets are tearing up my hand

boonerstreet · #1 03-17-2007, 02:50 PM

My left hand is just getting torn up from the frets on my low end bass's neck. I've decided they need to be filed down at the edges or smoothed out so when I slide my hand I don't cut it up. Are there any suggestions as to how I should go about doing this? I was planning on just using a random industrial file from my dad's tool box, or should I be using a specific kind of file? Any tips or errors I should look out for? Thanks.

62bass · #2 03-17-2007, 03:15 PM

Go to the 2nd page and find the thread titled "fret problem"

Tony G · #3 03-17-2007, 03:17 PM

It does sound like your fret ends are sharp. Any competent guitar tech can do this if you don't feel comfortable. However, I am trying to figure out why your hand is getting cut up? I can't actually think of any time my left hand comes in contact with the edges of the fretboard. You may want to adjust your technique.

boonerstreet · #4 03-17-2007, 04:02 PM

Hey that one was a cheap shot. Just kidding. I play with my bass really low so when I slide my hand rides along the neck and this is when it's getting cut up. Do you actually take your hand off your neck to move it?

boonerstreet · #5 03-17-2007, 04:08 PM

62bass, I guess I was one day late to see that thread. Should have searched first, my mistake. But anyways, it sounds like I can just file them down as long as I'm careful. thanks for the info.

Mikata · #6 03-17-2007, 04:20 PM

I feel your pain. When i recently purchased my OLP MM2 stringray rep off musiciansfriend the fret ends were ungodly sharp. The overall structure of the bass was really nice, wasnt like it was bad construction its just these things were so rough after being thrown together in a factory. Well i didnt bother filing down the top ones, but i did just the ends of the bottom ones because they were eating my left index finger up. And i dont even slider or whole my hand that tightly around the neck. Its just these frets were that sharp. I know its hard to imagine but when your moving your fretting hand up the neck your indedx finger barely skims over the fret ends, if they arent sharp then you just dont notice it. Just be really easy so you dont damage the fretboard and take you time, it took me like an hour to do the one side. But it was worth it.

Showdown · #7 03-17-2007, 05:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xgabriele

I can't actually think of any time my left hand comes in contact with the edges of the fretboard. You may want to adjust your technique.

I'm the same way. With my thumb in the center of the back of the neck (where it should be) there is a good 1/4" gap between the bottom edge of the neck and my hand. I don't even feel it when I slide up and down the neck.

Tony G · #8 03-17-2007, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Showdown

I'm the same way. With my thumb in the center of the back of the neck (where it should be) there is a good 1/4" gap between the bottom edge of the neck and my hand. I don't even feel it when I slide up and down the neck.

+1, and I play a 6 string as my main bass. It isn't that my hands are big, it is just proper left hand technique.

boonerstreet · #9 03-17-2007, 06:16 PM

DUDE Mikata, same exact bass! Haha, small world. Are you planning on installing a new pickup or anything? As for everyone else. I have horrible technique....And I love it.

Well it took me about a half an hour or more and I was able to file down the sharp frets on both sides. Feels wonderful now. Thanks to everyone for the help.

62bass · #10 03-17-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by boonerstreet

DUDE Mikata, same exact bass! Haha, small world. Are you planning on installing a new pickup or anything? As for everyone else. I have horrible technique....And I love it.

Well it took me about a half an hour or more and I was able to file down the sharp frets on both sides. Feels wonderful now. Thanks to everyone for the help.

Good. That's a common problem in the winter when it gets really dry inside. The fingerboard shrinks and the frets don't, so they stick out. Well, now that you've fixed it you won't have to do it again.