I visited a GC today….

[stevensivak]

But once you file down the frets and the wood re-acclimates itself with additional humidity, aren't you left with short frets?

 

[Maxi Funkl]

…doddang Fret-Sprout…
View attachment 4979507

I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

I also played a new SBMM Ray35 Red Quilt satin. I specifically wanted to try this one to see if I really, really wanted to have a Stingray-style bass back in my collection. And honestly…I kind of don't anymore, I seem to very much prefer a Jazz over a Stingray.
Interesting because I started playing with Stingray's almost 30 years ago, and had one for 18 years. I only started really getting into Jazz basses 9 years ago. Funny how that stuff happens…

It's a good thing I never pulled the trigger on the Warmoth SR5 style bass I wanted to build. I will have to revisit that idea and either go for a Jazz or one with Nordstrand Dual-Coils.

I have 2 jazz basses MIJ Geddy & Sire V7 2nd gen and to specials 4HH & 5H. I can't say I like one more than the other both have different Vibes... all four are keepers unless extreme hard times arrive and need to make a major sacrifice. The Stingray Specials build quality is light years better than any import Sterling I've tried. But then again at GC I've seen everything beat to hell missing knobs, broken selector switches, in need of a good setup, fret work and new strings. I'd never buy anything off the wall at GC. Other than 5 string fretless BFR special I played last summer it was what made me get the special 5H it was such great bass.

 

[tb-player]

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

I believe Guitar Center now sells first-aid kits with KISS style logos, in accessories.

View attachment 4979538

Proof Gene will market ANYTHING!

 

[PeeeBass]

Last week I went to a local "high end" guitar shop. Every bass I picked up ha fret sprout

 

[Michael Stanley 2112]

Am I the only entrepreneurial-type who sees an opportunity to start a fret (wire) farm? The stock would be free!

 

[Kubicki Fan]

This is why I prefer rosewood...oily and stable throughout the year...never a problem, unlike maple and ebony.

I have noticed f-sprout on my short scale EBMM stingray. The strange thing is that torrefied maple necks are not supposed to shrink more. Fretboard is rosewood. Easy fix that won't have to be done again.

 

[BAG]

But once you file down the frets and the wood re-acclimates itself with additional humidity, aren't you left with short frets?

I've wondered that myself a few times. The only thing I can come up with is that I'd prefer frets that are a tiny bit short of the neck edge than poking out beyond the edge of the neck.

 

[VeryTallBassist]

I had to file down a SBMM Ray25CA I picked up earlier this year. That was expected. The one that caught me by surprise was the 1999 Spector NS-JH5. That thing got some mild fret sprout too on a 24 year old neck. The only thing I can think of is that it came from the southeast, where it's always humid. and this is its first "real" winter. Either way, I'll never have to worry about that again.

 

[ctmullins]

Funny how I never hear anybody complaining about fretless sprout.

 

[Spidey2112]

Proof Gene will market ANYTHING!

Truth, breaux!

 

[SteveCS]

…doddang Fret-Sprout…

The sprout was atrocious, the worst I had ever seen, and my hands got pretty scraped up like op's.

I sliced my fingers once on a new Sterling Stingray at GC that had bad fret sprout.

A Sterling Ray drew blood with sharp fret ends,

I do have to ask - what is that (or any) part of your hand/fingers doing scraping along the edge in the first place, at least to the point of causing abrasion like that?

 

[Spidey2112]

But once the wood re-acclimates itself with additional humidity, aren't you left with short frets?

I believe Costanza refers to that as shrinkage.

 

[MCF]

I had a similar experience with a handful of Tagima basses at a guitar store recently. Every single one of them had sharp fret ends to the point that they were unplayable. Too bad as they really looked nice.

I get that from a private seller. And fret sprout is easily dealt with using the correct tools. But in a music store, it is a sign of them not caring and they won't get by business.

 

[Watchootognbout]

Funny how I never hear anybody complaining about fretless sprout.

View attachment 4980287

Sure you have!
It's when the inlaid lines start to pop up.

 

[eastcoasteddie]

I do have to ask - what is that (or any) part of your hand/fingers doing scraping along the edge in the first place, at least to the point of causing abrasion like that?

So when you play bass, your hand doesn't touch the edge of the fretboard? At all?
Hmmm… I must have been playing all wrong for the last 30 years…
And those aren't abrasions. Those are miniature cuts in my skin from the edges of the frets sticking out from the edge of the fretboard…
Abrasions are from friction…like Carpet Burn, for example…

 

[SteveCS]

So when you play bass, your hand doesn't touch the edge of the fretboard? At all?
...

No, never. The fleshy parts of my fingers mute the strings but don't really contact the edge of the fingerboard. Maybe I've been doing it wrong for 30+ years!! Maybe we both are? Or maybe not? It just looked like a lot of damage from what I imagined to be occasional and very low pressure contact. The 'sprout' must have been seriously bad to do that.

 

[DrummerwStrings]

Sometimes it takes a while. Sometimes nobody gets it.

I'm still working on it…from a movie? Comedy routine?

Hey, it's not easy without some sips of coffee

 

[DrummerwStrings]

Last week I went to a local "high end" guitar shop. Every bass I picked up ha fret sprout

Well, there have been several massive cold fronts moving across the US recently, in between record high temperatures. Many things, including wood, have been affected.

 

[Rod Tension]

…doddang Fret-Sprout…
View attachment 4979507

I think the culprit was a used Sire V3 2nd Gen. it was barely noticeable, but obviously there…
However, this was, believe it or not, the first time I've ever had the chance to actually play, or even see, a Sire.
Outside of the Fret-Sprout and needing a setup & string change, it was the best sounding bass out of all those I played in my short visit. I played it active, but didn't touch the EQ at all - sounded amazing.
The only thing I didn't like was the 1-3/4" nut width. I prefer 1-7/8" with 18mm bridge spacing.

Just bought a barely used 2020 Sire P7 and it had the same problem. You don't really notice it all that much when you're playing, but in general even the smallest sprout is extra annoying on these basses because it detracts from the otherwise-sensuous rolled neck edge. BTW the nut width on the V3 is 38mm, so it's even narrower than you thought. Just got word from my tech that he finished the fret ends, shimmed the neck and did a full setup and I get it back Monday. $110 seemed ... fair? at least in my market.