Fretting out

probo_squad_henry

probo_squad_henry

New member
Over the past few days, I've noticed my Charvel doing something weird. Every time I bend the high E from the 14th fret up to the 16th, it frets out. It doesn't happen when I bend 13 or 15, and it's only on the one string. I'm guessing this is a problem with the 15th fret being too high at about where the G string is.

The radius is 12"-16".

Advice on how to fix this?
 
Re: Fretting out

I would start with polishing the frets and putting new strings on. While their off check with a rocker/flat edge if the fret is high or not.
 
Re: Fretting out

Is it a floyd bridge? Might check and see if it's floated a bit back thereby reducing the action.
Super low action can and will expose any and all non-level frets, whereas with a more medium action it might not be so noticed.
If it's right-on flat and the problem is indeed just fret-related, then you might try a .2mm shim under the E-saddle. Might (might not) make just enough difference to not have to jack with the frets.

Also sometimes when the treble side of a floyd is set lower than the bass side (for action calibration), then it reduces the bridge radius in relation to the board on the treble side.
Instead of having the bass side of the bridge much higher than the treble it is sometimes better to leave the bridge flatter (from post to post) and raise the bass side saddles with shims,,,,,,,IMO.
 
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Re: Fretting out

Not familiar with this guitar, but sometimes a guitar can start fretting out when the bridge heights fall out of alignment. Check the radius of the bridge saddles with a radius gauge. Stew-Mac sells sets. You want the radius of the bridge to match the radius of the fingerboard. With a compound radius, you may have to experiment a bit, but once you find the sweet spot it will play like butter.

Good luck!

Bill
 
Re: Fretting out

I'd start with changing the strings, inspecting the frets, using a radius gauge, then checking the frets again. My guess it is just a bridge saddle, but hard to tell without seeing/playing it.
 
Re: Fretting out

probo_squad_henry said:
Over the past few days, I've noticed my Charvel doing something weird. Every time I bend the high E from the 14th fret up to the 16th, it frets out. It doesn't happen when I bend 13 or 15, and it's only on the one string. I'm guessing this is a problem with the 15th fret being too high at about where the G string is.

The radius is 12"-16".

Advice on how to fix this?
Click to expand...

Fretting out or choking can indeed be caused by a bridge that is set too low; this usually happens when someone inexperienced sets the guitar up and lowers the bridge or saddle in an attempt to get the action down but neglects to adjust the arc relief. This doesn't seem to be the case here as your quoted 10 thou arc relief is about right and it only seems to be happening on one fret, so I'd go with you suspicions of a loose fret. Charles, Jacksons, Ibanez and all imported guitars are prone to this.

Sometimes, if you've got a good straight edge you can discover this yourself, but if it's only slightly proud it may not be obvious; the frets have to sit within a relative height window of about 15 microns so any straight edge that isn't trued to this accuracy won't reveal it unless its sticking out quite far. hot foot it to your nearest trusted luthier is my advice I don't recommend you having a go yourself...
 
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