Benefits of Fret Dressing?

[jrcho88]

Hi - another guitar problem related post.

A guitar tech who set up my guitar once told me that I "could further imrpove the condition of my guitar with fret dressing".

From what I remember, fret dressing involves filing down all the frets to an even height.

What are the benefits of this repairwork? I'm wondering because my high E and B strings [when I'm playing a fretted note] seem to give off a harsh harmonic-like sound (yes, like in my last post..I dont know a better way to describe it) along with the actual note. I thought the strings are hitting some of the frets on the way. Open notes are fine. I'm almost certain that fret dressing will solve my problems. I've had my Epiphone Les Paul Classic for about 4 months now. Since, I've upgraded the pickups to Alnico II Pro neck and '59 bridge and use 11 gauge Ernie Ball strings. Also, maybe too low of an action could be the culprit, but I'll let the guitar tech figure that out.

Thanks in advance

 

[aleclee]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

If the string is hitting frets either high frets, low frets, or all over the neck then a simple setup will probably do. If the buzzing (or whatever) problem is only on 1-2 frets or if there are visible dings in the frets, a fret level may be in order.

 

[jrcho88]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Thanks Aleclee,

If the string is hitting other frets, does the action need to be raised?
Also, does fret dressing allow the action to come down a little?

 

[aleclee]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

If the string is hitting other frets, does the action need to be raised?

The action might need to be raised and/or the truss rod needs adjusting.

Also, does fret dressing allow the action to come down a little?

Hard to say. If the action is raised to work around a bad fret or frets, it'll help. If not, it might not get you anything that can't be achieved by a good setup.

 

[theodie]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Epiphones almost always could use a leveling, crowning, polishing. An Epiphone is a good base to make an excellent guitar. In addition to the fretwork I mentioned, they could use high quality pots, switch, jack, caps, and a good nut made for it. After all of that, they are a professional quality axe and you spent less than a Gibson LP that you would have to do alot of the same things to anyway! :naughty:

 

[orbiter]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

the benefits are numerous.

level frets means better action .. and the ability to set the action low without buzz.

no fret-outs .. buzzing or dead spots.

on older guitars w/ lotsa wear on the frets ... it will greatly improve the intonation ..

many new guitars need a level and dress ... from top-o-da-line gibbys right on down to the lowest model epi...in fact, I just did this to a spanky new johnny a a short while back.

 

[jrcho88]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Wow, I guess I'll get my Epi to the guitar shop ASAP for some fret dressing then!

I'm not sure why my high B and E strings (when let ring) give off a very trebly, harsh and sharp tone. I'm betting that the strings are hitting the frets slightly and making the harsh sound.(I use gauge 11 strings, so maybe that's why?) Now, this is with my Alnico II Pro Neck's tone all the way up and my amp's EQ set at Treble:4 and Bass:4 [out of 10]. If I turn the tone knob a bit down, the harshness goes away a bit, but I'm pretty sure Alnico II Pro Neck's do not at all sound harshly trebly.... so.. I'll let the guitar tech have a look.

Thanks everybody.

 

[jrcho88]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Epiphones almost always could use a leveling, crowning, polishing. An Epiphone is a good base to make an excellent guitar. In addition to the fretwork I mentioned, they could use high quality pots, switch, jack, caps, and a good nut made for it. After all of that, they are a professional quality axe and you spent less than a Gibson LP that you would have to do alot of the same things to anyway! :naughty:

I have already replaced the nut with a $35 bone nut (because the stock nut broke the first day when I was changing strings). I got a guitar tech re-install my jack so it never comes loose anymore. What would be the benefits of installing better pots/switch? I mean, besides the fact that they will give less noise when I'm turning the pot (not that it is making any noticable noise right now) or flipping the pickup switch (making a bit of noise). What are caps? What would replacing them do, in terms of sound quality?

Oh yea, when would I need to have my guitar rewired?
Thanks.

 

[theodie]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

I have already replaced the nut with a $35 bone nut (because the stock nut broke the first day when I was changing strings). I got a guitar tech re-install my jack so it never comes loose anymore. What would be the benefits of installing better pots/switch? I mean, besides the fact that they will give less noise when I'm turning the pot (not that it is making any noticable noise right now) or flipping the pickup switch (making a bit of noise). What are caps? What would replacing them do, in terms of sound quality?

Oh yea, when would I need to have my guitar rewired?
Thanks.

The benefits of replacing that stuff is the reliability issue. Epiphone pots, switch, jack, etc, do not last for a long time without having various noise and reliability issues! The caps in my opinion makes the tone knobs sound better.
Its a more than worth while investment! Make sure the pots are CTS pots and the switch and jack are made by switchcraft! I would personally go with Sprague orange drop caps!

About the guitar being re-wired, I do that when I am replacing all of the parts I mentioned! I usually re-wire them with single conductor wire through out!

 

[Amateur]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Hi - another guitar problem related post.

A guitar tech who set up my guitar once told me that I "could further imrpove the condition of my guitar with fret dressing".

From what I remember, fret dressing involves filing down all the frets to an even height.

What are the benefits of this repairwork? I'm wondering because my high E and B strings [when I'm playing a fretted note] seem to give off a harsh harmonic-like sound (yes, like in my last post..I dont know a better way to describe it) along with the actual note. I thought the strings are hitting some of the frets on the way. Open notes are fine. I'm almost certain that fret dressing will solve my problems. I've had my Epiphone Les Paul Classic for about 4 months now. Since, I've upgraded the pickups to Alnico II Pro neck and '59 bridge and use 11 gauge Ernie Ball strings. Also, maybe too low of an action could be the culprit, but I'll let the guitar tech figure that out.

Thanks in advance

If you have your brand new LP for only 4 months and you are having fret problems, may be you should check your action first. you may have set your strings too low.

 

[jrcho88]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

If you have your brand new LP for only 4 months and you are having fret problems, may be you should check your action first. you may have set your strings too low.

My guitar's neck is kind of weird
It goes out from the body like this:
..........\
...........\
...........|
...........|

It isn't obviously that extreme, but it kind of points slanted inward (towards the body when I'm playing it). Is this normal on a les paul?

Anyway, why do you think I'm suddenly having action/fret issues out of the blue?
I mean, all I did was change strings, to a same gauge, same brand pack. Hell, I thought I had a faulty pack of strings and replaced them again, but still have the same issue. It is pretty blatant and annoying, so I can't be just noticing this now. It is a new problem.

And great nows.....damnit, the talented local guitar tech is on vacation till the 21st of September... I guess I'll have to wait till then. I'll just have to tell a guitar sales rep to raise the action for me in the meantime. What issues can arise from a higher action besides the fact that it might be harder to play on?

Do I need to redo intonation and things like that?
Thanks

 

[MattPete]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

A little bit of relief is no big deal, and can be desirable. But if the neck is curving too much for your tastes, you'll have to straighten it out by adjusting the truss rod. Do a quick google search, and you'll find plenty of pages describing how to adjust the truss rod.

 

[matt_transition]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Its a more than worth while investment! Make sure the pots are CTS pots and the switch and jack are made by switchcraft! I would personally go with Sprague orange drop caps!

This would be the best thing to do but beware, because CTS pots (long or short shaft) have larger or wider shafts than import ones. This would mean you (or a tech) would have to drill out larger holes for them.

A very easy and quick job with a drill and some masking tape.

 

[Johtosotku]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

A guitar with a tom bridge does what you described. A sudden change in buzz/action may be according to weather, if it's the same brands same size strings.

I wouldn't go changing perfectly functioning pots etc., but that's just me. Try to be sure about the need for a fret dress as well.

 

[Amateur]

Re: Benefits of Fret Dressing?

Sound like you have to straighten out the neck by adjusting the truss rod. If you leave your guitar in your car on a hot day, even for a very short while, you will have a problem like that. I'd seen quite a few guitars ruined that way.