Fixing mild fret damage

[MikeB]

Hi,

When one of my guitars fell against a hard object some 12 years ago, its
strings were pressed against the fretboard with sufficient force as to make
small impressions on a few frets. The impressions aren't deep enough as to
make the guitar unplayable, but I can feel (rather than hear) a distinct
click or pop when I bend a string across one of the grooves.

Having not played that guitar for some years, I'd now like to get it back in
shape. Should I take the guitar for a re-fret or does anyone have any advice
on how to smooth out such grooves ?

BTW - the guitar is a japanese strat with a maple fretboard.

TIA,
MikeB

[Steve Robinson]

"MikeB" <objectiv...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cnmuso$p06$1$8300...@news.demon.co.uk...

> When one of my guitars fell against a hard object some 12 years ago, its
> strings were pressed against the fretboard with sufficient force as to
> make small impressions on a few frets. The impressions aren't deep enough
> as to make the guitar unplayable,

Although I've heard of people using silver solder to replace fret metal I've
never had the courage to try.

If the grooves aren't too deep and if the frets still have enough height you
could probably fix this with a fret dress. Otherwise you could just replace
the damaged frets?

Steve.

[Rob1]

MikeB wrote:

I had the exact same problem about six months ago, my guitar fell out of
its stand (which collapsed) on to an fx pedal. I had 1/2 a string width
indentations in GBe 14th/15th frets.

I was recommended a fret dress on the 14th, and was suggested having the
15th replaced. Each time I bent the string, it scratched.

I couldnt afford the fret dress, so I tried my own fix, just doing a *lot*
of bends over the scratch seemed to wear it down. Its still there slightly
but the edges are smooth and you wouldnt know by listening/playing.

Apparently its ok to use really fine sandpaper on a sanding block to wear
the fret down slightly, but I think this can lead to frets being at
different heights which can caues all sorts of problems.

My guitar is a mexican strat, with maple fretboard :-)

[Nick Mason]

In article <cnmuso$p06$1$8300...@news.demon.co.uk>,
objectiv...@hotmail.com says...

Why not buy yourself a proper fret file and have a go yourself?

You'll need to mask the fret board, take a look at the second URL, and
if it still isn't right then you can get them done professionally or
replaced. The real trick is to not make things worse in the attempt!

http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/ttwp10.html

http://www.kevinchilcott-luthier.co.uk/private/lacquered-fingerboard.htm
--

Regards

Nick

[Tony Thomas]

Generally, a fret level and dress should do the trick. They can also
replace a fret or two before leveling and dressing if the damage is that
severe..

--
Tony Thomas

"MikeB" <objectiv...@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:cnmuso$p06$1$8300...@news.demon.co.uk...

[MikeB]

"Nick Mason" <n...@nospamhotmail.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1c0a84ee9...@News.individual.DE...

> Why not buy yourself a proper fret file and have a go yourself?
>
> You'll need to mask the fret board, take a look at the second URL, and
> if it still isn't right then you can get them done professionally or
> replaced. The real trick is to not make things worse in the attempt!
>
> http://www.touchstonetonewoods.co.uk/ttwp10.html
>
> http://www.kevinchilcott-luthier.co.uk/private/lacquered-fingerboard.htm

Nick,

many thanks for the advice and the links. At some point , I'd like to have a
go at this myself but for now I've decided to let Steve Robinson have a look
at it.

MikeB