Sandberg zero fret. Eaten up quick…

[J2Kbass]

So I just got a Sandberg super light less than a month ago and I've been trying different strings. I left DR high beams on for a couple of weeks and decided to try something different. I was shocked to see the zero fret had already been eaten up. I thought fret wear would take more than a couple of weeks. I've got nickel on it now. Is this a defect? Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

I could understand after years of use but just a couple of weeks is surprising.
Every single string. Just nuts. And I haven't even played it all that much.

I've been playing a long time and never seen this before.

 

[Aloe]

well, the zero fret usually wears out faster than the rest.

when getting an instrument with one, you might want to take extra care when restringing, as most of the wear is from string sliding on it when restringing and tuning.

I cannot comment Sandberg's longetivity, I owned some other guitars with a zero fret a long time ago.

 

[Docduval]

I've had my Sandburg for 10+ years and played on a daily basis. No significant 0 fret wear.

 

[Bass Viking]

Interesting. The zero fret on my Sandberg came pre-slotted. I haven't noticed any extra fret wear.

 

[Iridescentone]

So I just got a Sandberg super light less than a month ago and I've been trying different strings. I left DR high beams on for a couple of weeks and decided to try something different. I was shocked to see the zero fret had already been eaten up. I thought fret wear would take more than a couple of weeks. I've got nickel on it now. Is this a defect? Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

I could understand after years of use but just a couple of weeks is surprising.
Every single string. Just nuts. And I haven't even played it all that much.

I've been playing a long time and never seen this before.

Are you sure the zero wasn't pre-slotted at the factory? Mine have some grooves from the factory. Which makes sense, as the zero replaces the nut at determining perfect string height, which may be a bit different for each bass. Hence some grooved zero frets. Doesn't mean every Sandberg will have them, just means when needed, they took care of it.

 

[grubdumpling]

If you are in the habit of stretching your strings while re-stringing, that might cause a bit more grinding than usual at the zero fret.

 

[Zooberwerx]

Interesting. The zero fret on my Sandberg came pre-slotted. I haven't noticed any extra fret wear.

I've seen this before but unsure of the maker. Doesn't make sense to me as I'm expecting a fully-dressed / leveled zero fret.

 

[CoughSyrup]

Mine came pre-slotted from the factory. There's no way you'd experience that kind of wear from a few string changes unless the frets were made out of Play-Doh.

 

[Turnaround]

I doubt that it's string wear, but it's easy to find out. Press a string down on top of the second fret. Check to see if there is a tiny gap over the first fret. You may not be able to see it, but if you tap the string right over the first fret you should hear a tiny "click". No click at all suggests the the zero fret is worn.

 

[Iridescentone]

Mine came pre-slotted from the factory. There's no way you'd experience that kind of wear from a few string changes unless the frets were made out of Play-Doh.

Exactly. He said he's had the bass for less than a month, and apparently has changed strings once. That, and the fact that Sandbergs often have a pre-slotted zero. What set of circumstances could possibly have occurred to indicate the zero is "worn" from any sort of use?

OP, unless you already have a guy you can trust (good luck with that), whatever you do don't bring it to some "tech" to have it "fixed". They're in business to make money by doing "jobs" for customers, they're not there to tell you there's nothing wrong with your bass.

It's a Sandberg. I'd (and have done so myself) email or call them for an explanation re your concern. Good luck.

 

[SactoBass]

So I just got a Sandberg super light less than a month ago and I've been trying different strings. I left DR high beams on for a couple of weeks and decided to try something different. I was shocked to see the zero fret had already been eaten up. I thought fret wear would take more than a couple of weeks. I've got nickel on it now. Is this a defect? Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

I could understand after years of use but just a couple of weeks is surprising.
Every single string. Just nuts. And I haven't even played it all that much.

I've been playing a long time and never seen this before.

To me, that looks like pre-slotting from the factory. But I'm no expert as I've never owned a Sandberg bass.

 

[BismarckHerring]

Check out this Reddit thread.

Seems that this is normal for Sandberg and that the height of the zero fret, and therefore the depth of the slots, may vary.

But you can contact Sandberg directly if you want to be sure.

EDIT: see also the last 20 seconds of this video. You can see them filing the fret.

 

[L-u-A-R]

That's a slotted zero-fret for sure.
My main BTB has some wear from string changes, looks like scratches without indentation, not neat slots.
Doubt it will be an issue for many years, if ever.

Slots will likely wear less than a 'regular' zero-fret.

 

[rogerbmiller]

It's possible that they're using a nickel alloy for frets in which case you'd want to be sure to use nickel strings so they don't eat them up as quickly. If it gets to be where you need to replace the frat, the good news is you only have to replace the one and you can replace it with stainless steel or something that will be much more durable.

 

[Achtelbeat]

Don't worry. All good.
All of my Sandberg basses had pre-slotted zero frets.
Maybe this is part of why Sandberg basses are so good?
If in doubt, ask at [email protected] and Holger Stonjek himself will answer you.

 

[pineweasel]

Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

Perfectly normal for a Sandberg. I bet it plays superbly? Mine does.

 

[mcnach]

So I just got a Sandberg super light less than a month ago and I've been trying different strings. I left DR high beams on for a couple of weeks and decided to try something different. I was shocked to see the zero fret had already been eaten up. I thought fret wear would take more than a couple of weeks. I've got nickel on it now. Is this a defect? Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

I could understand after years of use but just a couple of weeks is surprising.
Every single string. Just nuts. And I haven't even played it all that much.

I've been playing a long time and never seen this before.

The zero fret on Sandbergs come already slotted. I don't think what you're seeing is wear, especially not in one month.

 

[Jim C]

I have Sandberg's with slotted zero frets. It's how you adjust what would normally be a nut.
Mine have shown no signs of wear.

 

[Jhass]

So I just got a Sandberg super light less than a month ago and I've been trying different strings. I left DR high beams on for a couple of weeks and decided to try something different. I was shocked to see the zero fret had already been eaten up. I thought fret wear would take more than a couple of weeks. I've got nickel on it now. Is this a defect? Is it par for the course with sandberg zero frets?

I could understand after years of use but just a couple of weeks is surprising.
Every single string. Just nuts. And I haven't even played it all that much.

I've been playing a long time and never seen this before.

This has been discussed before. Sandberg pre-slots the zero fret to optimize the action. Your Sandberg is 100% fine, and factory fresh.

 

[Iridescentone]

Thanks for posting that vid. Hadn't seen it before.

Very conidence-inspiring to see their operation in action.