dumb fret levelling question

[danglybanger]

Finally wore out the 12th fret of my schecter... only over the high e string though. When I use it, I hear fret 13 if I press down normally, if I press down a little harder, it'll waver between fret 12 or 13. So it's not worn down too deep.

So is it possible to file down fret 13 slightly, without messing it up too? Or am I going to need to level all the frets, at least from the 12th down? I know the answer is probably the more expensive option, just making sure here.
thanks,
dan

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

Finally wore out the 12th fret of my schecter... only over the high e string though. When I use it, I hear fret 13 if I press down normally, if I press down a little harder, it'll waver between fret 12 or 13. So it's not worn down too deep.

So is it possible to file down fret 13 slightly, without messing it up too? Or am I going to need to level all the frets, at least from the 12th down? I know the answer is probably the more expensive option, just making sure here.
thanks,
dan

You're best bet is a refret in and around those frets or at least replacing the offending fret and filing it down to match the rest of the fret heights....Not the other way around though....Take it to a good tech..

John

 

[theodie]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

If the 12th fret is that bad, I would say that fret would need to be replaced and the whole neck would need leveling or, if there is still alot left on that fret, A good leveling might do the trick. A good leveling will probally make it play better than it did off the showroom floor.

 

[STRATDELUXER97]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

If the 12th fret is that bad, I would say that fret would need to be replaced and the whole neck would need leveling or, if there is still alot left on that fret, A good leveling might do the trick. A good leveling will probally make it play better than it did off the showroom floor.

Great post...Agreed.. :dance:

 

[danglybanger]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

Thanks for the advice! If I were to get the frets levelled, how much would they file down? I'm worried that my jumbo frets might feel less than jumbo after they're done levelling them...

Could a person tell the difference? Or would they tell me I needed a refret before they go that far?
thanks,
dan

 

[Mantic]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

From what i understand on fret leveling is they file down to the lowest "indention". They find your worst fret and match all others to it.

 

[rspst14]

Re: dumb fret levelling question

Are your other frets worn down too? I doubt you have just one bad spot. Your options are a partial refret, a full refret, or a leveling. If you do a level, they will match all your frets to the lowest point on the neck, as others have mentioned. You may be better off with a partial refret, where they replace the worn frets with new ones that match the size of the old ones. If you have wear all up and down the neck, a full refret is the way to go. Just make sure you find a good luthier to do the work, fret work isn't something you want to trust to just anybody.

Ryan