Author Topic: Neck/fret adjustment? (Read 312 times)

sstillwell · « **on:** June 23, 2015, 08:37:25 AM »

My 6-string Epic seems to be developing an issue. I'm getting fret buzz ONLY on frets 1-3 of the B string - open B does not seem to have the problem, nor do higher frets on the B or any fret on any other string.

Currently using DR Strings Hi-Beams 0.45-0.125

Ideas?

elwoodblue · « **Reply #1 on:** June 23, 2015, 09:32:00 AM »

Maybe the 4th fret popped up a tad on the bass side?

sstillwell · « **Reply #2 on:** June 23, 2015, 11:20:55 AM »

Sounds like a possibility - but is that user-fixable or does it need some luthier love?

5a_quilt_top · « **Reply #3 on:** June 23, 2015, 11:32:36 AM »

If you have no prior experience with fretwork - I strongly advise that you take it to a qualified repair person.

Speaking from personal experience, you can really jack things up if you start messing with fret height and you don't know what you're doing.

Due to the way that changes in the weather / humidity affect wood and metal differently, it's not uncommon for an individual fret to pop up a bit.

Another thing to have the repair person do at the same time is check the fret ends. If they are protruding slightly, they can be filed flush - which will vastly improve your playing experience.

keith_h · « **Reply #4 on:** June 23, 2015, 12:44:49 PM »

I've filed my own fret ends and have tapped frets to reseat them. For the fret I used a small hammer and a thick leather pad to gently tap the fret. I also use a rolled up towel on the underside to provide support at the fret to be seated. I have never had a problem and it has resolved the issue a couple of times saving me a trip to my luthier. For the fret ends I use jewelers files to carefully file them flush with the neck. The files are fine enough they won't leave any real marks when the fret reaches the wood. Just be careful on keeping them perpendicular to the fret end.

Keith

mica · « **Reply #5 on:** June 23, 2015, 02:34:20 PM »

You can check the fret heights with a straightedge. Even if you don't have a 24 steel one, you can see if you can rock a shorter one when you span at least 3 frets.

sstillwell · « **Reply #6 on:** June 23, 2015, 07:34:31 PM »

Thanks keith_h, mica - massively helpful as always. I'll certainly check the fret heights with a short straightedge - I found a YouTube vide earlier showing that exact technique. I'll decide after that if it feels doable or not - last thing I want to do is mess it up, but I also don't fear doing things that I decide are within my capabilities. If I'm not certain, I don't proceed.

sstillwell · « **Reply #7 on:** June 23, 2015, 08:10:17 PM »

Ah, sure enough. 3rd, 4th, and 5th frets were up just a tiny bit - some judicious tapping with padded devices (tiny bit at a time) brought it back to acceptable. It also brought the 3rd up a bit at the D string (or I just hadn't noticed it yet since I play my 4-string WAY more than the 6) but that was also easy to bring down gently - played through all six strings from open to eighth fret - I'm sure a pro could get it to 'amazing', but I got it to 'okay - better than it was' without doing any harm, and there I shall leave it.

Someday soon I'll try to get it in for a proper job, but the guy I trusted most locally is semi-retired and hard to get in touch with.