Raising a low fret

[JimmyM]

my 76 precision just got a new neck that's working out fine except for one thing...the 3rd fret is low under the D string and causes excessive rattling. i call the guy i take my basses to for repair and he said it was an easy fix.

since i'm a wannabe diy'er and have done fretwork before, i'm thinking if it's that easy, i could do it. i don't want to have to replace the fret or do a full fret dressing, but i'm interested to see if this raising stuff is something i could do. tia!

[scotch]

I think replacing that fret is the way to go. Its the only way to guarantee a properly seated fret that won't end up rattling or sounding 'dead'. Of course, you could dress all of the frets to compensate, but if it's just one fret, I'd pop it out & put in a fresh fret!

[Rebop]

The way I've seen it done is by using a pair of flush nippers. Gently squeezing them closed while against the fretboard until they just barely lift up the fret. You can then get a little CA or epoxy in there to hold it and tap down lightly.

Or.

Remove the fret, clean the slot, replace.

EDIT: Try steaming the fret slot or the fingerboard just in that spot? Wet rag + soldering iron + patience.

[JLS]

The way I do it:

Tap each side of the fret with a 1/4" chisel, that I've ground into a spoon shaped tip. Usually, a low fret is very slightly low, so you don't have to lift it much; figure that you may have to level it with the 2 adjacent frets, if it's a hair high. Wick a good bit of thin superglue in the fret slot, it will drink an astonishing amount. Shpritz w/ superglue accelerator, if you have it.

[scotch]

If you go with 'raising', it works well if you pack a little rosewood dust (or maple if it's maple) under the fret and then wick ca glue into it. You can sand it smooth and flush when you dress the fret and scrape away any glue that pooled out with a razor blade.

If you don't have flush-ground nippers, two chisels work well pushed in from both sides of the fret at the lowest angle you can manage.

Be careful with heat/steaming! I've seen more than a few poor refrets where the old glue boiled out and marred the wood and/or ruined the edge of the fret slot. Heating the fret works great for loosening, though!

[JimmyM]

uh oh, this sounds like an easy recipe for screwing things up! maybe i better take it to him...i think it's a touch over my capabilities. thanks for the explanations guys, but maybe this is one i better not experiment with on a good bass.