The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #118277   Message #2555430
Posted By: Richard Bridge
02-Feb-09 - 02:02 PM
Thread Name: Filing a fret
Subject: RE: Filing a fret
NONONONONONONO

First, check that each fret is properly seated to the fingerboard. Mark one Eyeball is often accurate enough.

If any fret has risen, first lightly (VERY LIGHTLY) grease the fingerboard - then "wick" very very runny superglue into the gap between the fret and the fingerboard, then clamp the fret down for maybe half an hour. A subminiature screwdriver makes a good dipstick for this.

Any surplus dried superglue should flick neatly off the greased fingerboard!

If that does not fix it, check neck progression. Fret strings at first adn 14th frets. Gap under string at 7th shouldbe 0.25mm. If not, look along neck. Is it a nice even curve? If so adjust neck on trussrod to get right relief.

If not, remove strings and slacken trussrod until fingerboard is DEAD STRAIGHT. Then using a STRAIGHT long-ish oilstone stone the frets until there are no high spots, and no bog wear marks. Little ear marks leave. If you now have no frets to speak of, tough, you needed a re-fret anyway.

Now re-profle frets with crowning file (or, if it's a crap guitar, emery cloth and wishful thinking).

Re-string.

Re-set relief.

If that sounds hard, go to a good guitar tech.

If it sounds easy, but it's a good guitar, go to a good guitar tech.

In fact, unless you can understand why I said everything I did above, in that order, and have a fairamount of spare time and great confidency in your DIY ability - go to a good guitar tech.