• TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
    Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
    Join free Log in
    Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.

Fret buzz

C

CPike

May 28, 2005
344
10
Dallas, TX
#1
A couple of frets on my bass are a tad high, causing a slight buzz on a few strings. The rest of the frets are just fine (I've determined this using that little tool for checking the level between 3 adjacent frets.) Rather than paying for either a full dressing job or a set of tools, is there a quick way to address these two trouble spots using a minimum amount of tools?

I'm considering getting either of these two tools from LMII:
3-in-1 Fret File
Fret Leveling Kit

Thanks in advance for advice and warnings...

.cdp
 
#4
As long as the frets are seated properly, all you really need is to level, crown, then polish.

There are a number of ways to do this. Some people do it all with a three corner file then sandpapers to polish. The "Fret Leveling Kit" looks like a flat piece of wood and a short straight piece of metal. I would skip that.

If I were you, I'd use flat file (which you can get anywhere) for leveling, maybe spend some money on a crowning file, then polish with sandpaper. Just make sure to mask the fretboard so you don't mangle it if your technique is not flawless.
 
#6
The three-in-one file is for crowning frets, not for levelling them. AFTER you have levelled them you will need to crown them.

The levelling kit is .... well, I wouldn't buy one. A good fine flat file will level your frets. Followed by crowning and polishing. Study up on how to do it before proceeding.
 
#7
Yes, I understand - level with file, then crown, then polish - that part is clear. I have suitable files for leveling, but what I need to buy is a crowning file appropriate for the fret size on this bass. At stewmac and LMII I see different crowning files for use with various sizes of fret wire; how do I determined the correct size file? I don't really know how or what aspect of the fret to measure to determine the size. Is it width? Height? Both?

.cdp
 
#10
The three-in-one fret file is a crowning file. It does an o.k. job. When new, the burrs are apt to chatter across the fret. If you choose this tool, load the burr with beeswax to keep the damage to a minimum. They are best used over the tongue on acoustic instruments, or anywhere access is limited and a three corner file is awkward to use.

For spot leveling, the Invalid Link Removed from Stew-Mac is a good choice.
 
#11
CPike said:
Yes, I understand - level with file, then crown, then polish - that part is clear. I have suitable files for leveling, but what I need to buy is a crowning file appropriate for the fret size on this bass. At stewmac and LMII I see different crowning files for use with various sizes of fret wire; how do I determined the correct size file? I don't really know how or what aspect of the fret to measure to determine the size. Is it width? Height? Both?

.cdp
Click to expand...

Generally it's the width you need to consider. But I would be remiss if I didn't warn you that fret work is amongst the most demanding of repairs you can do on an instrument. It takes a lot of practice to do well. I'm not saying that you shouldn't do it - just that you should be aware of what you are getting into.

I think you have already had some feedback about the 3-in-one type of crowning files. They are not easy to use. Probably the easiest to use is the diamond fret crowning files seen on the StewMac site and others. The drawback is that they are not cheap. So take your pick.
 

Latest posts

Top Bottom
Back