The Acoustic Guitar Forum

Go Back   The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 06-06-2021, 07:00 PM
acousticsean acousticsean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Default Frets lifting separating - purchase from Reverb

I have a used guitar bought from Reverb.
It said it was in mint condition but it was misrepresented.

Other than the numerous dents and chips, I noticed the intonation was off.
So I looked at the neck and I saw 7, 8 and 9th frets lifting around the edges. You could fit a sheet of print paper between the fret edge and the fretboard for about 2.4 mm.

Of course since the fret edges are lifted, you can feel the sharp edges
when playing around that area.

Photo is here:

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Z3Hi6L2onQpkh6XL6

How serious is this and is it easily fixable?

Has anyone experienced this from a Reverb purchase?

Thank you in advance!

Last edited by acousticsean; 06-06-2021 at 07:12 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 06-06-2021, 07:04 PM
FingahPickah FingahPickah is offline
Charter Member
 
Join Date: May 2020
Location: The United States of New England
Posts: 2,089
Default

Send it back.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 06-06-2021, 08:39 PM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,381
Default

Lifting frets, generally, don't influence intonation. If the intonation is poor, that is a separate issue. How easy is it to fix? That depends on the guitar, its configuration and how much out it is.

Lifting frets is a simple repair for a professional. Assuming that the frets don't need levelling afterwards, it should be around $50 to address the ends of those few frets.

Without knowing further details about the brand/model of guitar and what you paid for it, one can't provide insight into whether or not to have it repaired or to send it back.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 06-06-2021, 09:33 PM
acousticsean acousticsean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Default

Thank you Charles always for helpful replies.

How simple would it be?
Like hammering it back in?
I just saw a video of super glue and clamping it too.
I tried to press it with my fingers and it doesnt budge.





Quote:
Originally Posted by charles Tauber View Post
Lifting frets, generally, don't influence intonation. If the intonation is poor, that is a separate issue. How easy is it to fix? That depends on the guitar, its configuration and how much out it is.

Lifting frets is a simple repair for a professional. Assuming that the frets don't need levelling afterwards, it should be around $50 to address the ends of those few frets.

Without knowing further details about the brand/model of guitar and what you paid for it, one can't provide insight into whether or not to have it repaired or to send it back.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 06-06-2021, 10:23 PM
acousticsean acousticsean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Default

And if it applies to 5 frets, what would the rough cost be?
The sharp ends cause some buzz and sharp discomfort to play in that area.
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 06-07-2021, 07:34 AM
charles Tauber charles Tauber is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 8,381
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by acousticsean View Post
How simple would it be?
As I said, simple for a professional.

Quote:
Like hammering it back in?
Might be. It depends upon why the frets ends are high. If loose in their slots, hammering, alone, won't likely keep them seated long.

Could be there is glue in the ends of the slots that prevented the ends from seating fully. Could be that the tangs of those frets weren't properly received to accommodate the binding. Could be the fret slot isn't deep enough...

Quote:
I just saw a video of super glue and clamping it too.
Assuming that the fret can be properly seated, that is a common method to keep them seated.

Quote:
I tried to press it with my fingers and it doesnt budge.
Depending upon the composition of the fret wire, you'd need strong and hard fingers. I use the end of a wood dowel to press on fret ends to test if they move or not. You could use the eraser-end of a pencil.

As I stated before, likely around $50 to reseat those few frets and eliminate the sharp ends, if levelling isn't required afterwards.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 06-07-2021, 07:39 AM
acousticsean acousticsean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Default

Thank you for that advice.
I'll take it to a local luthier to see their cost.
Service costs in this area seems to be high compared to other parts of the country.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 06-07-2021, 03:57 PM
Dave Abrahamson Dave Abrahamson is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Apr 2014
Location: Safety Harbor, FL
Posts: 445
Default

I see that the neck has binding. Aren't the fret ends usually prepared with the the tang cut away at the end where it goes over the binding on the neck? Could that be why you can slip paper under the ends?
__________________
Early Ovation classical
2001 Taylor 355
2002 Taylor 308 BB
2004 Taylor 214
2011 Taylor GC4
1964 Fender Stratocaster
1965 Fender Jazz Bass
Fender Twin Reverb
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 06-07-2021, 05:46 PM
acousticsean acousticsean is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Mar 2021
Posts: 70
Default

You are right that the edge tangs are trimmed so I can slip a paper. The issue is that there are some frets lifted and some not. So it does have a buzz issue on the first E string. I'm leaving (hudmidifying )it to see if it will get better.

Would the cause of this be due to drying of the fretboard?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dave Abrahamson View Post
I see that the neck has binding. Aren't the fret ends usually prepared with the the tang cut away at the end where it goes over the binding on the neck? Could that be why you can slip paper under the ends?
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 06-07-2021, 09:48 PM
phavriluk phavriluk is offline
Registered User
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Granby, CT
Posts: 2,913
Default opinion

I think I see two questions here. The first, about guitar condition as received not be as described, makes me think that canceling this purchase is valid. That would obviate the second, what about fixing the frets. If OP keeps the guitar I think he's got a project on his hands that sounds like it needs a guitar doctor to correct.
Reply With Quote
Reply

  The Acoustic Guitar Forum > General Acoustic Guitar and Amplification Discussion > Build and Repair

Thread Tools





All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:05 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Copyright ©2000 - 2022, The Acoustic Guitar Forum
vB Ad Management by =RedTyger=