#1
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High fret?
Hi Everyone. I bought a used Epi Les Paul (Joe Bonamassa gold top) a few days ago. When I bend a full step on frets 17,18, and 19 it "frets out". No buzzing, just no sound. When I bend a full step on the frets below and above that there's no issues.
The relief and action are both where I want it. The action is considered medium-low. So, does this point to a high fret(s)? |
#2
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Dru: Sometimes this happens depending on how the fingerboard is crowned. If the board has a constant radius over its entire length-say12" it is more likely to fret out compared to a compound radius-say12" at the nut to 16" at the final fret. Think of your fretboard like a piece of pipe for the first and the fretboard as a cone for the second. This does not preclude the fact that you may have a problem with a fret or two. Hope I've explained it so you can get a minds eye view.
Tom
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A person who has never made a mistake has never made anything |
#3
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Hi Tom, yes, that makes a lot of sense. I know that with some vintage guitars, like the 7.25" Strats they can fret out. I have other Les Pauls and they don't fret out though. I think they all have a 12" radius too.
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#4
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However, it does sound like you've got some frets out of level that could easily be rectified with a light fret dressing. Even sometimes (often??) new guitars from factories require touch up fret work for this reason.
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---- Ned Milburn NSDCC Master Artisan Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
#5
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BTW - I just checked out your website. Looks like you do some great work. (http://www.handcraftedguitars.ca/). |
#6
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But a high 17th fret will not cause fretting out when bending on the 17th, 18th or 19th fret. It will only cause fretting out (or buzzing) when playing on the frets behind the high one. |
#7
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Quote:
__________________
---- Ned Milburn NSDCC Master Artisan Dartmouth, Nova Scotia |
#8
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you may just have a high/loose fret. i suggest getting a fret rocker or other suitable implement and finding out first. before you go out and buy tools and start dressing and crowning all of your frets, it may be that all that is needed is to tap the fret back in place, wick in thin ca to set, and clean up and check. Last edited by arie; 11-17-2014 at 09:50 AM. |
#9
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Take a metal object, like a small hammer, tap the ends of the frets. If not seated, it will not make a sharp tap, but a dull one. Tap several good frets, and see how it sounds. You'll know immediately if a fret is not seated. It's a thud vs a click. If it's not poorly seated, it's possible that it's been left a bit high. If not seated, see Arie's post, above.
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Waddy |
#10
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Thanks for everyone's comments/assistance. I'll have another look at the guitar tonight.
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#11
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Check out my loose fret diagnostic routine and repair methods here:
http://fingerlakesguitarrepair.com/r...tory-fretwork/ |
#12
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#13
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Thank you and you're welcome. Let us know how the repair goes.
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