ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

C-Martin

C-Martin

New member
Hey all, I recently started doing setup on my friends old MIM Stratocaster and I noticed one of the frets looked "kinked" so I suggested it would be best to replace it. The fret (12th) was basically slopping towards the 11th fret on the high E side, it looked like it had been hit or something because there was a pretty obvious kink in the fret. When I pulled it out, I noticed the fret slot was actually shaped like that. My friend never really noticed it before, but he did have issues with the guitar for a long time. He just assumed the guitar was a cheap MIM so it was "normal" for such a low cost instrument.

Here's a picture of the fret slot in question:

FRETSLOT.jpg

Seems like the fret slot was originally cut crooked! Almost like a flexible hand saw curved to one side during the cut. I thought everything was done by machines at those factories though, at least for a post 2000 instruments. I've already thought about filling and re-cutting the slot but I don't have a fret saw. Another option i was thinking was just installing the new fret and filling it straight, but that will leave the fret thinner on one side.

What would you guys recommend be the best course of action from here?
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

They are held in place and pass under a saw
I would figure maybe the neck dislodged and
kicked to one side while the sw was engaged

You can refill and recut the slot
Or replace the neck

Or just live with it
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

If you fill it and recut it you probably won't be left with very much of a blemish remaining after the fret covers it, I wouldn't worry.
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

id fill and recut but since you dont have a fret saw thats a little harder. do you have fretting tools? are you doing your own fret work? if so, then id buy the saw
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

jeremy said:
id fill and recut but since you dont have a fret saw thats a little harder. do you have fretting tools? are you doing your own fret work? if so, then id buy the saw
Click to expand...

What's the difference between a fretting saw and a hack saw?
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

Clint 55 said:
What's the difference between a fretting saw and a hack saw?
Click to expand...
Kerf - The width of the cut.
Also the quality of the cut. A good fret saw will give you a clean cut with minimal chipping along the slot edge. A hack saw blade will take out too much material disturbing the filled area.
Fill the slot with a sliver or veneer of rosewood and rosewood dust mixed with a quality glue. Allow plenty of drying time,you need the repair to be as hard as the surrounding wood. Take care when fitting the new fret. Probably best to press it in rather than hammering to avoid losing the small pie shaped segment between the new slot and the repair.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,PJ
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

Thx for the clarification. I just ordered one to go with the rest of my fretting tools that are on the way.
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

I do have some fretting tools I've been gathering for a while now and felt comfortable to do the refret. I just didn't think this kind of issue would pop up, never seen a slot go sideways like that. I didn't think a fret saw would be necessary if I'm not building necks, will be adding one to my list of things to get then.

My friend decided to go for a Warmoth neck. He's been pondering the thought of trying a different neck for a while so he's using this occasion to just go for it. He's giving me this neck as payment for the work. Figure it's worth trying to fix it. I could turn this into another Strat. You can't have too many Strats, right?
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

Pontiac Jack said:
Kerf - The width of the cut.
Also the quality of the cut. A good fret saw will give you a clean cut with minimal chipping along the slot edge. A hack saw blade will take out too much material disturbing the filled area.
Fill the slot with a sliver or veneer of rosewood and rosewood dust mixed with a quality glue. Allow plenty of drying time,you need the repair to be as hard as the surrounding wood. Take care when fitting the new fret. Probably best to press it in rather than hammering to avoid losing the small pie shaped segment between the new slot and the repair.
Hope this helps.

Cheers,PJ
Click to expand...

I actually do have some rosewood veneer. Would crazy glue be a good glue for this application, or regular yellow wood glue? If I don't have pressing tools, do you have any suggestion on how I could press that one fret in without an arbor or any such pressing gear?
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

once the slot is cut
a plastic hammer should tap it home
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

I would just fill the crooked part of the slot and use the good part as a guide for the saw
 
Re: ADVICE NEEDED PLEASE: Fret slot originally cut crooked??

C-Martin said:
I do have some fretting tools I've been gathering for a while now and felt comfortable to do the refret. I just didn't think this kind of issue would pop up, never seen a slot go sideways like that. I didn't think a fret saw would be necessary if I'm not building necks, will be adding one to my list of things to get then.

My friend decided to go for a Warmoth neck. He's been pondering the thought of trying a different neck for a while so he's using this occasion to just go for it. He's giving me this neck as payment for the work. Figure it's worth trying to fix it. I could turn this into another Strat. You can't have too many Strats, right?
Click to expand...

You can never have too many guitars of ANY kind.
 
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