'scratchy' sounding fret wires w/vibrato: remedy?

[deantaylor]

hi

My new Epiphone acoustic has a fret wire issue: when, e.g., using the vibrato technique (rapid movement of string across fret wire) there is a quite pronounced--for lack of a better term--'scratchy' metallic sound.

Q: will sanding/emery cloth across the fret wires take the edge off the rough string/fret wire contact, or will filing be necessary?

If filing is called for, is there a link explaining the process (I'd like to fix it myself)?

Or, perhaps the noise will subside after thirty or forty hours of playing...A

Thank you

Dean

[deantaylor]

please pardon the double missive...

[mb propsom]

The solution to your fret problem could be as simple as cleaning up the scratches with 1200 grit wet/dry paper, or as involved as dressing, recrowning and polishing the frets. It all depends on the depth of the existing scratches in your frets. One way to highlight the existing scratches is to run a magic marker over the fret tops, then hit the frets with some 1200 paper. The scratches will show up pretty dramatically once the marker is sanded off the tops of the frets.

[donh]

polish the frets

I use a dremel and eraser shields and a increasingly-fine-grit polish compound

slippery frets are fun!

[Harald Koll]

Scratchy fret noises I've encountered on my guitars were caused by old strings. Might be worth checking those first. You probably have, but just in case.