fret dressing

[turindev]

Hey there folks. I am the happy recipient of a Lakland 44-01, and I am extremely pleased with the setup of the bass out of the box (action, relief,etc). (see review/pics in the basses thread later today)

The one problem it does have is a slight protusion of the frets past the neck on the top and bottom of the fb. If I run my hand along the bottom or top of the fretboard, I can feel the slightly rough edge from the frets. Anyone tips on this problem? With most things, there is the right way and the fast way to do things, and I am interested in the right way

I am not sure exactly what caused this problem, although I can say that the bass most likely experienced about a 40 degree drop in temperature from when it left sunny florida and came to Louisiana. We are having a bit of a cool spell (at least for this area of the country), and sitting in the UPS warehouse overnight might have caused some of this.

 

[Trevorus]

The right way? Just send the bass to me and I will dispose of it do you can buy yourself another...

 

[turindev]

The right way? Just send the bass to me and I will dispose of it do you can buy yourself another...

I should have clarified.. I meant the right way for "me" lol

 

[202dy]

By top and bottom of the fret board do you mean that the frets are sticking out on the sides of the fretboard? If so, that problem is due to a lack of humidity. As the moisture leaves the fingerboard shrinks. The frets do not.

The way to fix this is to file the fret ends. A file is run lengthwise along the fingerboard and the fret ends are milled flush with the side of the fingerboard. If there are any scratches or chips from the first filing they are filled with super glue and refiled flush. A smaller file, usually a fine cut three corner fret file, is used to refile the beveled ends. The same file is used to remove any burrs that remain after the initial filing. Some luthiers use a special fixture that holds a file at a fixed angle to perform this task. Then various grits of sandpaper (starting at 400-600) are used to polish the fret ends. Many pros uses the micromesh Invalid Link Removed abrasives to perform this task as they are superior and if used correctly will match the sheen of the original finish.

This is not a task for those who are not handy in the extreme.

 

[Trevorus]

For this problem, I generally use 1000 grit on a sanding block to level the fret ends.

 

[202dy]

For this problem, I generally use 1000 grit on a sanding block to level the fret ends.

You can do that. It's probably the safest for do-it-yourself guitar repair. Depending on the size of the protrusion it can take a long time with 1000 grit. Filing flush takes literally two minutes. With experience, the scratches are small. Polishing the bevels and running through the micromesh grits takes maybe another five minutes and it's off the bench and on to the next task.

 

[turindev]

You can do that. It's probably the safest for do-it-yourself guitar repair. Depending on the size of the protrusion it can take a long time with 1000 grit. Filing flush takes literally two minutes. With experience, the scratches are small. Polishing the bevels and running through the micromesh grits takes maybe another five minutes and it's off the bench and on to the next task.

Thanks for the tips guys... they aren't bad (I don't notice them while I play) so perhaps the 1000 grit will do.. a little safer

 

[Trevorus]

Thanks for the tips guys... they aren't bad (I don't notice them while I play) so perhaps the 1000 grit will do.. a little safer

Taking a sensitive operation like this slow is the best way to go. Ususally, with 100 grit, you won't go through the finish. Once you get a little dust off of it, then you know to stop. There is also a thread here where someone rounded the ends of the frets, and thus making the neck feel REALLY smooth.

EDIT: Here it is- http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163320

and the link at the end: http://www.members.shaw.ca/wilkatguitars/git_tips4.htm

 

[turindev]

Taking a sensitive operation like this slow is the best way to go. Ususally, with 100 grit, you won't go through the finish. Once you get a little dust off of it, then you know to stop. There is also a thread here where someone rounded the ends of the frets, and thus making the neck feel REALLY smooth.

EDIT: Here it is- http://www.talkbass.com/forum/showthread.php?t=163320

and the link at the end: http://www.members.shaw.ca/wilkatguitars/git_tips4.htm

Thanks for the link, great info! Looks like I have a plan together!