Lifting Frets Questions

[SteC]

I have some frets that are lifting. They're often partially lifting in the middle or at one end. But they don't seem to move when you try to press them down. I've tried hammering them with a fret hammer and that doesn't seem to do anything either. On a different bass with the same issue, I tried super glue and clamping them in, but maybe I messed up the clamping or didn't work fast enough. (I assume those ones will just have to be leveled since the slot is now filled up with glue so not much point in a second attempt.)

Is this a common issue or am I missing something? What's the best solution? Should I give the clamping another try on this guitar? Or is it better to just level them as is? Trying to keep the amount of leveling to a minimum.

Also how much lifting is too much? If it's a tiny bit and it's not moving would you not worry about it? I was able to fit at least a .003" feeler gauge under the main ones I wanna deal with.

Thanks!

 

[Bruce Johnson]

I have some frets that are lifting. They're often partially lifting in the middle or at one end. But they don't seem to move when you try to press them down. I've tried hammering them with a fret hammer and that doesn't seem to do anything either. On a different bass with the same issue, I tried super glue and clamping them in, but maybe I messed up the clamping or didn't work fast enough. (I assume those ones will just have to be leveled since the slot is now filled up with glue so not much point in a second attempt.)

Is this a common issue or am I missing something? What's the best solution? Should I give the clamping another try on this guitar? Or is it better to just level them as is? Trying to keep the amount of leveling to a minimum.

Also how much lifting is too much? If it's a tiny bit and it's not moving would you not worry about it? I was able to fit at least a .003" feeler gauge under the main ones I wanna deal with.

Thanks!

Is this a new, from the factory neck? Or has it been refretted?

If the frets aren't pushing down all the way, that means that the slots aren't cut deep enough, or all the dust wasn't cleaned out of them. Poor workmanship, either at the factory or by whoever refretted it. The fix is to pull the frets and clean up the slots with a fret saw. Don't try to smash the frets in.

If the frets are in there solidly and aren't moving, you can leave them alone and level the tops as they are.

 

[SteC]

Thanks Bruce, that makes a lot of sense now. It's still the factory frets as far as I know. I'm not yet equipped to venture into refretting by myself so I'll just level them as they are. Thank you!