Author Topic: Fret Dressing?? (Read 282 times)

deano · « **on:** January 19, 2008, 09:10:56 AM »

Need some advice. The questions are relative to both my Coco Bolo Fantasy and my Orion 5.

I'm in the middle of a normal Nord Dakota winter. Although I humidify my home to help offset the effects of the furnace running, the relative humidity is much lower especially in Dec-Mar. I have no problems compensating for this with truss rod adjustments to keep the neck and action to my liking.

That said, I am noticing the ends of the frets should probably be dressed cause they're bugging me as my hand moves on the neck. But, I didn't have this problem during the summer months and the situation may fix itself once winter ends.

So, my questions are two: Should I dress the frets, or put up with it for a couple more months and see if it improves? And, if so, how should I do it? There are no luthers in my area. So, taking them to a qualified luther is not an option.

There is finish on the sides of the fret board that I don't want to damage and I was thinking I could be more accurate with a small Dremel tool than I could be with a small file/wrasp. Any advice is appreciated.

Thanks,
Dean

funkyjazzjunky · « **Reply #1 on:** January 19, 2008, 11:22:08 AM »

Put down the Dremel tool
Step away from the Dremel tool

Have you oiled the fretboard?

deano · « **Reply #2 on:** January 19, 2008, 03:24:08 PM »

Okay, thanks - I'll take the Dremel out of my thoughts. Yes, I lemon oil the fret board each time I change strings; about every 6 weeks. But the ebony has still shrunk with the low humidity.

David Houck · « **Reply #3 on:** January 19, 2008, 05:40:13 PM »

Here is what Mica has to say on the subject.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** January 20, 2008, 05:26:26 AM »

The first winter I had my Orion 5 I had the same issue of the fret ends protruding. I just took a fine flat file that I have and carefully filed the ends down.

Keith

dannobasso · « **Reply #5 on:** January 20, 2008, 06:57:40 AM »

Ditto Keith. But on some Spoilers and Excels and one Distillate.

terryc · « **Reply #6 on:** January 21, 2008, 07:59:49 AM »

Personally I would wait for the spring/summer months..if they move back into the wood then no worries
Dremel..okay for major grinding but certainly not Alembics.
Patience young Alembii..the force is strong with all of us

keith_h · « **Reply #7 on:** January 21, 2008, 01:52:21 PM »

If the ends are not filed they will just end up protruding the following winter. The cause is from the fretboard shrinking do to seasonal drying. So yes you could wait for spring and get a half year of no protruding frets but you will also have another 6 months of fret protrusion. Usually this is a one time event if done properly.

Keith

2400wattman · « **Reply #8 on:** January 21, 2008, 04:02:40 PM »

After my gig in Memphis Sat. night I left my bass out it's BIG HEAVY ROAD CASE so I can take it in the hotel with me. I carried her (without case mind you) through below 20 degree weather for about 5 minutes to the hotel and back out again the next morning. The neck on this thing would make staight arrows jealous and because of that brief amount of time in the cold unprotected the neck has gone into relief and the frets(unrelated to weather though) are needing a file job. My point, I need a gig bag to tote bass around since that road case is dang heavy! I'll be getting a file and carpet tape tomorrow to do this job. Thanks for the link Dave!

deano · « **Reply #9 on:** January 23, 2008, 06:32:23 PM »

Thanks to all who responded and to Dave for pointing me to Mica's advice. The Helpdesk at Alembic also emailed me and included a file (as in data file) with instructions. My decision is to file the fret ends now while they are protruding. Frankly, I have no other choice, as it is almost unplayable without cutting my fingers.

Wattman, I understand perfectly what you experienced. Although my Coco Bolo Fantasy has never left the house this winter, the same thing has happened to my Orion.

Thanks again,
Dean

freefuzz · « **Reply #10 on:** February 21, 2008, 10:00:22 AM »

get the Diamond Fret Leveler (5257 Fine, 800-grit) from stewmac.com . chances are you're going to have to do it again, and these will leave no marks on the fretboard. if you want to do a really nice job, also get the Offset Diamond Fret File (5054 300-grit). these are really easy to use, and you can get great fret jobs again and again.