Sharp fret problem -- Help needed

bassist11 · #1 12-13-2009, 11:16 AM

So I just bought a new bass and it has some pretty sharp edges on the side of the frets, right where they would cut the wire. It's not along the entire neck, mainly once you get past the 12th fret.

How do I go about smoothing these out and not damaging the neck at all?

Thanks.

Also, the bass isn't very balanced. It's a little neck heavy. Other than replacing parts, is there a way to balance it out?

grifff · #2 12-13-2009, 11:19 AM

I believe you can just use a nail file or some fine grit sandpaper to smooth the edges out. Correct me if I'm wrong though.

Benjamin Strange · #3 12-13-2009, 11:21 AM

You can use a flat file to take the edge off, then use graduating grits of sandpaper to smooth out the areas of the fretboard you'll inevitably hit with the file.

You may actually have some frets lifting, in which case you might have some uneven frets and could stand some fretwork. You can check your fret heights with a credit card as a rocker - if there's any rocking, you've got uneven frets.

bassist11 · #4 12-13-2009, 11:30 AM

I'm pretty sure they are just a little sharp from the cut and not being sanded properly at the factory. The sides of the frets actually look a little jagged. There doesn't appear to be any lifting and they are actually quite level.

Correct me if I'm wrong but with a credit card you span three frets and then try to rock it? And if it rocks the middle one isn't level?

grifff · #5 12-13-2009, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bassist11

I'm pretty sure they are just a little sharp from the cut and not being sanded properly at the factory. The sides of the frets actually look a little jagged. There doesn't appear to be any lifting and they are actually quite level.

Correct me if I'm wrong but with a credit card you span three frets and then try to rock it? And if it rocks the middle one isn't level?

I would personally use something a little more precise than a credit card. IME credit cards can become bent very easily and may not be perfectly straight.

PB&J · #6 12-13-2009, 11:43 AM

It sounds like all you need to do is take a bit of sandpaper and some fine steel wool to the bevel. Use 80-120 grit paper to get the fret to a more comfortable edge and then use the steel wool to polish it and make it smooth.

bassist11 · #7 12-13-2009, 11:49 AM

How do you go about protecting the fretboard/neck though? I've actually addressed this issue before on an instrument but I always end up sanding the neck a tiny bit too and then I have this little dull spot below each fret I did. Is there a trick to prevent this or do you just have to buff those spots out afterwards?

debassr · #8 12-13-2009, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PB&J

It sounds like all you need to do is take a bit of sandpaper and some fine steel wool to the bevel. Use 80-120 grit paper to get the fret to a more comfortable edge and then use the steel wool to polish it and make it smooth.

80-120 grit sandpaper? No.

You need a metal file. The steel wool is fine for final polishing though.

Also make sure to only stroke downwards on the frets otherwise you can loosen them.