Finding a number of uneven frets

[Snoogles]

first of all, how do you check the level of 1st and last fret?

i noticed some high frets in just a couple areas, and i thought i could knock them down myself with a file.
but as i'm checking the entire neck with a fret level i'm noticing more and more irregularities. and they are all under only 1 to 3 strings across:
e: 16 / 19
B: 4 / 9 / 15 / 20 / 21
G: 15 / 17 / 20
D: 12 / 14 / 17 / 20
A: 12 / 14 / 19
E: 16 / 21

problem is i don't know of any guitar techs (reputable, or otherwise) in my area

i feel comfortable doing one or two problem areas with a file, but i wonder if the entire fret board needs a leveling job. and whether i should invest in the tools to do it myself.
i've watched numerous youtube videos on the subject, and feel confident that i could follow tutorials.
what's the worst that could happen?
i would botch the proceedure and need to get an entire re-fret job?
i find out that its the fret board and not the frets that are uneven?

anybody else here take on a project like this as a total noob?

edit: guitar is an LTD EC400vf

 

[Funkfingers]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

First questions; how old is the guitar and have you owned it from new?

I have the LTD EC401w - built in the same Cort factory as your guitar. The fretting and finishing of guitars from this source are generally very good, regardless of price bracket.

It is possible that your instrument is either poorly finished or is suffering from fingerboard shrinkage. These problems might be covered under warranty.

The worst that can happen in a newbie fret levelling job is that you ruin the frets to the extent that the only option is to remove them. The solution for an uneven fingerboard is planing. Obviously, this requires fret removal. By the time that things have gone this far, the cost of the corrections will have overtaken the value of the instrument.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

Are you getting fret buzz, or notes "fretting out"? Is that how you came to notice the frets being uneven?

 

[Frogman]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

Do you have a precision straightedge?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Measuring/Precision_Straightedges.html

 

[Snoogles]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

First questions; how old is the guitar and have you owned it from new?

I have the LTD EC401w - built in the same Cort factory as your guitar. The fretting and finishing of guitars from this source are generally very good, regardless of price bracket.

It is possible that your instrument is either poorly finished or is suffering from fingerboard shrinkage. These problems might be covered under warranty.

The worst that can happen in a newbie fret levelling job is that you ruin the frets to the extent that the only option is to remove them. The solution for an uneven fingerboard is planing. Obviously, this requires fret removal. By the time that things have gone this far, the cost of the corrections will have overtaken the value of the instrument.

dont know how old it is. i bought it off ebay used, but it was part of the run that had incorrect wiring. so i don't know if someone bought it brand new, then realized the electronics were fudged and put in on the market. i think it was from a pawn shop. not sure.

certainly not covered under warranty at this point

Are you getting fret buzz, or notes "fretting out"? Is that how you came to notice the frets being uneven?

noticed high strings were fretting out at and above the 12th. then i went and checked the entire neck

Do you have a precision straightedge?

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Measuring/Precision_Straightedges.html

not at the moment, but tools are easy enough to get

plus, i have an entire wood working shop, and a professional wood worker (not specifically a luthier, but close enough) at my disposal.

i think this might be an interesting project to experiment with

 

[Snoogles]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

i've been watching a lot of videos about this entire process, and the only parts that i'm kind of apprehensive about is the crowning process, how to determine the levelness of the first and last frets using the 3-fret rocker method, and distinguishing whether 1 fret is too high as opposed to its adjacent fret being too low.
but i guess if there are any low frets then the all need to be knocked down

 

[BrianS.]

Re: Finding a number of uneven frets

i've been watching a lot of videos about this entire process, and the only parts that i'm kind of apprehensive about is the crowning process, how to determine the levelness of the first and last frets using the 3-fret rocker method, and distinguishing whether 1 fret is too high as opposed to its adjacent fret being too low.
but i guess if there are any low frets then the all need to be knocked down

Well, that's a large part of the process to be apprehensive about!

You could have frets that are "sprung", or you could have too much relief in the neck that is causing some of the fret buzz.

There's not really a good way to "half-ass" the process. If you really want to take on this job, I recommend first getting this book (it's half off right now!):

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Fretting_supplies/Books,_DVD/Fret_Work_Step-By-Step.html

Also get the appropriate tools to do the job right. At this point you will have, in my opinion, a "significant" amount of money invested. Now be prepared to invest a significant amount of time getting the job done right.

Personally, I believe that investing time and money in job like this is only worth your while if you plan on doing it again, and again, and yet again numerous times.

If I were you, I'd double check the neck relief. If you have too much neck relief, flatten the board a bit. That might help with some of your 12th fret area buzz. At the very least, checking this will rule out one possible issue. Also, measure your string height at the 12th fret (capo on 1st fret) and compare that measurement with some "industry standard" measurements, just to make sure you're in the ballpark. If this info is redundant to you, I apologize.

Where do you live that there are no luthiers around?