To refret or not refret...

Eskimo Spy · #1 03-11-2011, 09:04 PM

Okay, so I have a higher-end P-bass, and it has a buzz at the 10th fret on the A string, among other places. I took it to two local luthiers, who tell me that one of the screws that attaches the neck to the body is longer than the rest, and that it is splitting the fingerboard. The second guy figured this out when he put the screws back in after taking the neck off, and then the split moved to a new place on the fingerboard!

He also told me that the neck needed some fret work, as it had some issues that prevented a proper setup. He did some of the work, but the buzz was still there.

So, I contact the manufacturer, and they tell me to ship it to them to check it out. It is out of warranty, and I bought it used.

So, they replace the original screws with a new set, fix the various issues, and do some fret work, then a setup, and ship it back to me (all free of charge, by the way). When I open the case and look at the action, it's low and the fretwork looks fantastic. But...

The following video was shot shortly after I unpacked it...

So, I had to get my luthier to set the action pretty high when I got it back the first time just to get rid of most of the buzz for a gig.

After the gig, I returned everything back to the way it was set up when it was shipped to me, and I sent it back to the manufacturer, who tell me that they don't hear the fret buzz I'm having, and they think it sounds and feels great. But they did say that their luthier heard some string buzz, and that they can do a refret to try and resolve the problem, but it will cost me $250.

Now, I know everyone plays differently, but as you can see, I'm not really digging in, and that buzz is pretty obvious to me.

So, to my questions.

First, the buzz seems pretty obvious and bad to me, but am I just being too picky?

Second, would you pay $250 to the original manufacturer to try and resolve that buzz, or is it not bad enough to warrant a fret job?

In closing, I have no issue with the manufacturer, they have been top shelf in every way, I'm just trying to decide if a fret job is a wise decision. It's not about the money, I just don't want to get a fret job if it's unnecessary.

bobunit · #2 03-11-2011, 09:13 PM

Has the manufacturer seen the youtube video?

Eskimo Spy · #3 03-11-2011, 09:18 PM

Yes they have. That was why I shot the video, so they could see and hear it.

BogeyBass · #4 03-11-2011, 09:27 PM

Sounds like a different Luthier needs to look at it....

If your trying to get Uber low action its not going to happen with the way the neck is set up.

However the relief is set.... the action is to low.....Their could be a fret that is too high towards the top of the neck...its hard to tell just from a video... without just being able to look at the neck.

The manufacture should have the relief correctly...but rapid temperature changes from shipping can throw any bass out of wack.

What gauge strings are you using? if you just raise the action does the buzz go away?

Eskimo Spy · #5 03-11-2011, 09:30 PM

I'm not trying to get uber low action. The bass was set to factory specs with the same gauge strings that it comes from the factory with when it arrived the first time from the manufacturer, and in my opinion, given that setup, that buzz should not be there. That said, I agree with your point about the change in temperature when shipping.

I'm using the same gauge the manufacturer ships the bass with, 105's. And no, if I raise the action, even to ridiculous levels (11/64) it is still there, albeit reduced.

Eskimo Spy · #6 03-12-2011, 11:01 AM

Any other input?

jacostilllives · #7 03-12-2011, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

Any other input?

Take a real close look at the upper register down the neck looking from the nut. Is there a dip between frets 10-16?

I had a strat that had this same problem and there was a slight dip in the neck even though the rest of the neck was completely straight. Manufacturing error. If this is the case the only way to solve it is getting a new neck :-/ ..

if you're going to spend 250 to get it re-fretted worked on. Might as well get another neck. You can find them for less than that. Might be your best option at this point.

Eskimo Spy · #8 03-12-2011, 12:08 PM

For myriad reasons, buying another neck that doesn't match isn't really an option, and a new neck from the manufacturer would cost $1,000.

testing1two · #9 03-12-2011, 12:35 PM

If this is a high end manufacturer (like Lakland) than the money would be well spent because the resulting fret job would be excellent and the fingerboard would be properly leveled. I don't think you could find a pro quality fret job for any less than that.

Eskimo Spy · #10 03-12-2011, 12:41 PM

But my question is whether a fret job is even needed. Basically, is the fret buzz I'm getting even after fret work and a proper setup from the manufacturer bad enough to warrant a fret job? I think it is, but I'm making sure this isn't just me.

I know the people doing will do a top-notch job, so no worries about that.

testing1two · #11 03-12-2011, 12:48 PM

It's definitely an issue with the upper register frets or the fingerboard. Whether or not it makes the bass unplayable is really your call. I've heard some buzzes that all but disappear when you play through an amp at stage volume.

If it was me I would do the refret for peace of mind. Nothing is more bothersome or time consuming than attempting 10 small repairs to avoid 1 large one.

As always, IMO, YMMV, AFAIK, BEER

Eskimo Spy · #12 03-12-2011, 12:50 PM

Yeah, you can definitely hear the buzz amplified. Even if you couldn't, you can feel it when you play it, which would drive me batshit.

Welp, I guess it's time for a refret.

narud · #13 03-12-2011, 05:24 PM

what fretwork was exactly done? is that buzz localized to that fret only? when you played other surrounding notes in the video, is that how the rest of the bass responds? im having a hard time believing that if this is from a high end builder that theyre recommending a refret.

Eskimo Spy · #14 03-12-2011, 05:41 PM

They did some fret leveling, they repaired the two spots where the longer screw split the fingerboard, and then a fret polish.

No, it's not localized to that fret only, there are several places on the neck that exhibit noisy buzz. And this is from a high end builder, so why are you doubting they would recommend a refret?

prd004 · #15 03-12-2011, 05:54 PM

One word, PLEK

I would have it PLEK'ed before re-fretted.

narud · #16 03-12-2011, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

They did some fret leveling, they repaired the two spots where the longer screw split the fingerboard, and then a fret polish.

No, it's not localized to that fret only, there are several places on the neck that exhibit noisy buzz. And this is from a high end builder, so why are you doubting they would recommend a refret?

id have issue if it was a high end bass that already needed a refret to address buzz that a fret level didnt cure. if a fret level was done, its set up correctly, and theyre recommending a refret than id imagine its because the board isnt true. why would a high end builder be using green enough wood that the thing already needs a refret? the situation just sounds a bit odd. is this a boutique bass? whos the builder?

Eskimo Spy · #17 03-12-2011, 06:17 PM

It's not a new bass, it's 6 years old.

They do PLEK at the manufacturer, I would imagine if they thought that would resolve it, they would have suggested it.

narud · #18 03-12-2011, 06:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

It's not a new bass, it's 6 years old.

They do PLEK at the manufacturer, I would imagine if they thought that would resolve it, they would have suggested it.

6 years old isnt old if its a boutique bass. if a 6 year old musicman or fender board went out of wack enough to require a refret id say fine. boutique level, and i had to pay for, id be upset.

Eskimo Spy · #19 03-12-2011, 06:37 PM

The other thing to consider, as I said, is that I'm not the original owner; and the warranty, which has expired, doesn't transfer. They did do a considerable amount of work prior to the suggestion of a refret for free.

And who do you consider a boutique builder? MTD? Lakland? Sadowsky?

narud · #20 03-12-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eskimo Spy

The other thing to consider, as I said, is that I'm not the original owner; and the warranty, which has expired, doesn't transfer. They did do a considerable amount of work prior to the suggestion of a refret for free.

And who do you consider a boutique builder? MTD? Lakland? Sadowsky?

id definitely consider those builders in the boutique category. unless the previous owner left the thing out in the wilderness unattended, the reason you go to those guys is for their wood selection which should be of a higher quality and thus prevent needing a full refret after 6 years.