Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

evh_slash

evh_slash

New member
Just wondering, i have a BRAND NEW ibanez premium (arrived today), it sounds great, im gona put some dimarzios in it this weekend. However, the frets sometimes feel "rubbery" when doing a string bend or vibrato... Like the string is grating against some slight resistance from the fretboard... almost feels "sticky" in places at times...
Is this normal in brand new necks and do i need to wear it in slightly ?? OR does my guitar need some sanding/fret levelling or a checkup ?? there are no dead spots, or sharp uncomfortable frets and it sounds sweet, and bends are not rough or difficult.... Just feels a bit "sticky" / rubbery. Im thinking the fretboard may have some kind of coat or polish / varnish that needs to be worn down...
Any advice or ideas ? I hope the frets arn't crap ! I may take it to my local guitar shop to get it looked at if it continues. Its a really nice guitar though, i dont mind a very minor sand job if needs be :P
Otherwise I love it!! Just hope the stickyness is just down to the fact that it is brand new and maybe thinly coated with something...

p.s ive already lowered the action just in case any of you wondered...
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Most brand new guitars require some sort of setup after purchase. Very rarely, outside a custom shop job or total custom build from an indy luthier, will they be set up properly off the shelf. Most require a fret dressing to get them really dialed in.
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Steel wool, lemon oil ? Cover my pickups ? How do i ensure no steel wool particles are left behind to wreak havoc ??
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

I'd recommend taking it to a tech. Its sounding like DIY might not be such a good idea in this thread.
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Its early days yet !! Im gona have Dimarzios and complete new electronics in both ibanez's next week with chrome bobbins for the purple pickups and a combo of yellow/blue and green bobbins in the pink !! PAF pro and FRED in the Pink RG, and Evolution + super distortion in the purple !! (The stock pickups on the purple are actually really good though !! Very harmonic and warm. My Gibson SG will have all gold hardware, tuners, a gold tree of life, a custom plasma pickguard, and carbon fibre/cream "zebra" pickup bobbins :D :D :D
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Nice Ibby. Dig that top. Now, since you asked questions about what do to, how to do it and what you need, stop there. Take it to a qualified tech (Guitar Center does not count) and have it taken care of. You'll be glad you did.
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Ok, thank you so much, ive found the numbers of a few luthiers in cardiff (my current city) so i shall consult, i believe a full set up including fret dress is what i need... I think i will get both my Ibbys done... maybe i will get a discount for 2 guitar setups at once. ;)
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

evh_slash said:
So what should I do ?? Take it to a guitar shop or can i do it myself ?? what do i need ??
Click to expand...

If your planning on putting new pickups in right away you will obviously need to do a string change and setup. I would buff the frets with some steel wool, then oil the fingerboard. (Make sure you cover the pickups with masking tape) Then do a proper setup, which should include intonation, truss rod adjustment and action setup. Once this is all done you should feel more comfortable with the guitar. The one thing you have to remember that ALL guitars have a sweet spot. Now you just have to find where this guitar wants to be played
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

That's just tarnish on the frets, as Doc said, polishing will make them smooth again.

Get some 3M's 3000 grit circular polishing pads (the ones for attaching to velcro wheels) from autostore, use it by hand, then polish frets with a polishing compound. If you don't have a proper mechanical compound for nickel/chrome/zinc/plain steel, you can use a thicker paper towel too, no kidding. It just takes longer.

You could even leave it at 3000, it will still look pretty damn good. If it's a rosewood board you don't have to mask at all.
 
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Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Avoid steel wool. Fine grit sand paper/polishing papers will do the same without the metal debris.
 
Re: Brand new Guitar/Frets help!!

Just take it to a qualified tech to get the work done.

Be careful with the steel wool on the frets. Gotta cover the pickups and make sure no metal shavings get around there. Can be a mess otherwise. And no more than 0000 grade.

Several local techs have recommended these.
 
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