Author Topic: Frets and the unhappy bear (Read 1742 times)

rogertvr · « **on:** March 12, 2005, 07:59:18 AM »

Here in the UK, spring has sprung. Well that's how I think the phrase goes anyway...

What that means, is that my basses need their set-up reviewing. I run them low, as I'm sure the people in this Club have gathered over the time I've been a regular in here.

I know what you might be thinking - here we go, Rog slagging off the neck of the DW once again. I'm going to surprise you - the graphite necks on the Stealth and the Buzzard have moved the same amount as the Alembic. No problems with that, I've set them up again. However...

...the frets have started to protrude outside of the bounds of the neck on the DW - both at the top and bottom of the neck, to equal amounts. It wasn't like this a week ago - I'm stunned. I lemon oiled the fretboard about six weeks ago, that's the second time it's been done in 11 months since I've owned it, so I don't think it's that that is causing the problem.

I enlisted Jacqueline's opinion - she can't play a note. Her quote - Has this just become expensive art, you can't play it like that. You're not going to sell it are you? Don't do that..

I'm after guidance here and any quotes of this is normal with Alembic won't be tolerated because I've owned a shed-load of fretted basses from various manufacturers over the years and none of them have ever had a fret problem like this.

Help - what next? I know that when you buy a thoroughbred that there are going to be problems, but this fret problem seems to be fundamental to me?!

Not happy!!

Roger

the_mule · « **Reply #1 on:** March 12, 2005, 08:13:03 AM »

From the online owners manual under 'Fingerboard Care'...

You may notice that the first time the humidity takes a big swing that the fret edges may protrude over the edge of the fingerboard. These can be easily filed flush and you will probably only have to do this once. You can get a service sheet from us if you'd like to do this job yourself.

I won't say that this is normal with Alembic but according to the text above it isn't unusual with a NEW Alembic. Nevertheless I can understand your not being happy about this. I hope you will work it out somehow, it it presented like a DIY-job, although I doubt if I'd have the guts to actually do it myself.

Good luck!
Wilfred

rogertvr · « **Reply #2 on:** March 12, 2005, 08:29:56 AM »

Oh my God!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thanks for your help Wilfred and by no means are the following comments directed at you...but do I really have to work on the DW myself? Service Sheets have never been required for other fretted basses that I have owned or currently owned!

I have to ask this - would anyone in here wish to do this job yourself on a bass that cost the thick end of - errr well - it cost a lot. POA if you really want to know.

Not happy, not happy at all. If TVR told me I had to work on my own car after 12 months because the humidity had changed, I'd laugh in their face.

Now where is the Ferrari brochure.....? Oh yes - I already have it - it's spelt Status Graphite!

Alembic - expensive art indeed...

the_mule · « **Reply #3 on:** March 12, 2005, 09:55:13 AM »

Have you contacted Alembic about this already?

Like I already said: I doubt if I'd have the guts to actually do it myself. Concerning your bass, of which I happen to know the selling price and with that fabulous inlay in mind: I wouldn't do it myself unless there was a gun pointed at my head.

Apparently it takes some time for wood to realise that it's not a tree anymore, and that a change of seasons shouldn't influence a bass. A new bass, like a new car, usually needs some extra service in the first few months of its life. I'm sure that with a Morgan (another fine English sportscar) the wooden chassis might cause similar problems with doors not closing properly sometimes!

Don't get me wrong, I completely understand and feel your anger and disappointment, but if what the online user manual says about this phenomenon is true, a local luthier should be able to fix the problem in a matter of minutes. Certainly worth a try, isn't it?

Wilfred

jacko · « **Reply #4 on:** March 12, 2005, 10:49:08 AM »

Roger.
I've had the same problem with my epic for the best part of 8 years and never had the guts to file the frets myself. i guess I'm pretty well used to the feel now although if you do end up filing them yourself let me know how you get on as it's something I ought to get done.

graeme

bsee · « **Reply #5 on:** March 12, 2005, 11:44:33 AM »

I think Roger's point is that one spends enough on the instrument that one shouldn't have to spend further money on setup or trust a local luthier to be filing around the neck of a brand new super-bass. I suppose that this could be a service provided by the dealer from whom the instrument was purchased, but not all dealers are capable of the work.

Really, though, I think it's the surprise factor that got him more than the change itself. If this were more common knowledge and anticipated as part of what you get when you buy a brand new Alembic, then I don't think it would have been as big a deal. At least it won't be for me now that I am aware of it. If mine needs it, I will acquire the Alembic-recommended file or files and do it myself, very slowly. Hopefully the instrument will spend enough time at the factory to have already gone through this change and come out perfect. If not, New England weather will let me know in due time.

-Bob
(looking out at 8 of fresh snow and watching more continue to fall)

malthumb · « **Reply #6 on:** March 12, 2005, 01:29:15 PM »

Actually, it's probably not fair to say that this is a quirk of Alembic basses. My understanding from people I've talked to in numerous settings, is that this is a quirk of ebony fretboards. New ebony fretboards on new basses can (but don't always) experience some shrinkage. Both Bass Northwest and GGuitars (where I eventually ordered my bass from)explained to me that they would keep my new bass isolated in a temperature controlled room for a few days to try to identify whether it would experience fretboard shrinkage. Then they could file the frets and be done with it. They both indicated that IF this occurs, it occurs once.

As it turned out, I had Alembic ship my bass directly to me instead of GGuitars and I watched like a hawk for any sign of shrinkage. Didn't happen. Been almost 5 years now. One of the two stores expressed the opinion that if it didn't occur in the first 12 - 18 months, it probably would not ever.

Peace,

James

dannobasso · « **Reply #7 on:** March 12, 2005, 03:01:27 PM »

I just did a DIY fret file on 5 of my 10 babies. I couldn't wairt for a file from Mica. I went down to Sears and bought a needle file set with six small files in it. I got the directions from Mica (available as a download) and went to town. If you take your time you can be pleased with the results. No more scratches and chaffing of my important finger! There was a time when I would not do work on my Alembics. Frig dat now! I do all my own adjustments and frankly I don't trust the Neanderthals in the North Jersey area. I now keep the file set in with my bag 'o' tools just in case. Trust in yourself you must, feel the force Luke, there is no try.......DO!
Danno

jacko · « **Reply #8 on:** March 12, 2005, 03:04:06 PM »

How about sharing your technique with us danno?

graeme

bsee · « **Reply #9 on:** March 12, 2005, 03:34:05 PM »

This sounds like a good topic to cover in the new must read section of the boards. The fact that it occurs, what size file to use, and any other details about how to resolve it.

essencetimestwo · « **Reply #10 on:** March 12, 2005, 06:42:54 PM »

I had to do it on the 1987 Spoiler I just got. Frets out on both sides, OUCH! It only took five minutes with a set of small files I was given by a friend. Much better now. I am getting braver about making my own adjustments too. Granted, this was only a $1000.00 Alembic. Keep in mind though that it was made by the same people in the same place as a DW. I live close to SR but this bass came from ultra dry TX. The great thing about Alembics is that they are so easy to work on. On another popular thread people are talking about the pros and cons of maple fingerboards. Imagine if this were happening with a Fender finished maple fingerboard. Rogertv I am sure that Mica and gang would be more than willing to do what it takes to make you happy. Heck, I had to bring my new GMC pickup back after the first 1000 miles so they could tighten the bolts.

s_wood · « **Reply #11 on:** March 13, 2005, 05:30:28 AM »

Malthumb has it exactly right. Fingerboard shrinkage is a quirk of ebony fingerboards, and there's really nothing that Alembic or anyone else can do to prevent it. If it happens (and it doesn't always) it will happen only once. Any good luthier can file the frets is a few minutes (I've always been too scared to do it myself!)

dannobasso · « **Reply #12 on:** March 13, 2005, 08:47:28 AM »

Embrace your fear members! The techniqueis simple. Perhaps the download for directions is on the site somewhere. Mica sent it to me. Maybe the moderators can post it in the FAQ section? There are basicly 2 directions to file.
One is the side of the fretboard where the fret protrudes.
I move the file perpendicular to the fret, A good file will make quick work of it in a few passes.
Go lightly at first to test your technique.
When you get a tiny bit of ebony dust, check by a feel of your finger.
Alembic directs that you do this with the strings off and the neck relieved of tension.
Next, I follow the curve of the end of the fret and file LIGHTLY from the top of the fret edge over and down to the egde of the fretboard.
I experimented with a small round edge needle file for this second pass so I could concentrate on the fret as much as possible and not take that much material from the ebony.
It worked for me. Also the money I saved gets sent to Santa Rosa for my latest baby! Embrace your inner luthier. Well, maybe not that, but embrace your inner fret scraper anyway.
Danno

keith_h · « **Reply #13 on:** March 13, 2005, 10:37:08 AM »

I have had this situation with both of my Alembics purchased since last August. Both necks shrunk as the result of very low humidity in my house due to the furnace. I took them to a local luthier to have the fret ends filed and was charged $25. Not a signifigant amount of money considering the cost on the instruments. Since having the ends filed I have not had any more problems.
I have seen this on one of my other non-Alembic basses but since it has a bound neck there are no sharp protrusions, just bumps.

Keith

rogertvr · « **Reply #14 on:** March 13, 2005, 02:27:20 PM »

Unfortunately, I haven't had a job since December and there isn't any sign of one arriving soon. So I can do without incurring any cost with this little problem, however small that cost may be. As it's too uncomfortable to play as it stands, I think I'll remove the batteries from it and put it in its case, and worry about it at some point in the future...