How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

[Chris of Arabia]

Since getting my SG Standard earlier this year, I got increasingly frustrated when playing it because of the way the fret ends have been finished off. I've no idea whether it's normal, or just poor attention to detail by Gibson, but I keep finding the top 'E' catching in the small gap between the end of the fret and the little 'nib' on the binding, with an inevitable clank as it does so. It's actually possible to get the string to stick in the gap, though in practice I've not actually done that whilst playing.

I know there's an element of technique to this to avoid pulling the string in that direction, but that's not proving particularly easy so far. So I'm wondering whether some of those who've worked on more guitars than I might have some solution for filling the gaps with something that can be worked to the point where the transition between binding and fret end is as near seamless as possible. Anyone have any ideas?

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

What you are describing has been my complaint with Gibson binding for years. If you've read my posts you'll know that I have been very "vocal" about this. I hate Gibson binding. I love the way Epiphone does it and most imports and I certainly love no binding at all as in LP Studios.

I haven't tried this yet, but will soon, I think by filling the gap with super glue then polishing after it sets it will fix the problem.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

What you are describing has been my complaint with Gibson binding for years. If you've read my posts you'll know that I have been very "vocal" about this. I hate Gibson binding. I love the way Epiphone does it and most imports and I certainly love no binding at all as in LP Studios.

I haven't tried this yet, but will soon, I think by filling the gap with super glue then polishing after it sets it will fix the problem.

Well at least I'm not the only one who dislikes the way they do this. I was wondering about super glue myself, but wasn't too sure it would build up well enough to fill the gaps. My other thought was to mask off the fingerboard with painters tape and give metal putty a go. I'm just a little wary of that leaving the binding looking a bit stained, though I'm pretty sure you could do a decent job with it.

 

[PoorMan]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Have a pro look at it.

1. replace the one fret (if it's just one)
2. fill with gap filler of some sort--acetone with melted binding or formentioned CA Glue (but CA glue isn't a very good gap filler...it shrinks.)

I have to agree with Guitar Doc. Gibson's binding looks cool, but that's about all it has going for it. You lose playing surface, refret jobs are difficult and expensive (to maintain the nibs) and it can be a source of problems--like you are having.

I had a Les Paul that needed a refret and I actually opted to have the nibs removed entirely. Probably not good for value but...

Wait...did you buy it new? Is it under warranty?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

It's several frets unfortunately. It will still be under warranty, but I bought in the US and wouldn't be able to get the guitar back there until that was up I don't think. There are no Gibson dealers here in Saudi that I know of, not that I'd trust them to do anything right if there were.

 

[ItsaBass]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Very careful application of epoxy (with a pin tip), followed by shaping and smoothing. It's no big deal; just like hiding the seams on your model planes with putty. Make sure you mask off the fretboard, in case you are sloppy with the filler. You can get rid of those nibs the first time you do a refret, if you want to. I like 'em, myself.

 

[Bludave]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Was the guitar always like this? Sounds to me it could be drying out. It is that time of year and judging by your location the lack of humidity may be a concern. I think Guitar Docs solution will work, but you just want to be certain that the binding isn't shrinking or is it the wood that's shrinking?

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Well I got it in March, so it's had a few months to acclimatise now, but I'm pretty sure it's been like this since day 1, though I didn't notice it in the store (GC, Austin). If it was a more humid environment here, I could understand the issue as the fingerboard would expand and so push the binding further from the fret end, but things are very dry here, and if anything I'd expect the fretboard to shrink and so pull things in tighter. I don't actually think anything has moved at all to speak of, I'm just becoming more conscious of it as I've had it longer. I'll have a think about whether I want to try any of the suggestions made so far, then do (or not do) at that point.

 

[orpheo]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Head up a scalpel and by pressing the hot blade unto the nib you can melt it a bit and smear it over the gap. Thats who the better stores do it if they want to mask gibsons inferior work.

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Thats the most annoying thing about gibsons. When im due for a fret dress, im juts gonna get all the frets replaced and have the nibs flattened.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

From a pure functionality point of view, I've never yet heard anyone say a good thing about this way of finishing off the fret ends; it seems to be for ornamentation only. The danger is, that this particular is destined to become a case queen - not really the idea when I bought it.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

OK, so I tried the super glue trick today...it worked great. I only had the very thin SG so I had to use about 4 coats to get some of the gaps filled. Just lightly sanded and polished and now all is good. StewMac sell three viscosities of super glue...thin, medium, and thick. I think either the medium or thick would do the job with fewer coats.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Thanks Doc, I'll give it a go later and see what happens.

 

[Bludave]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Well I got it in March, so it's had a few months to acclimatise now, but I'm pretty sure it's been like this since day 1, though I didn't notice it in the store (GC, Austin). If it was a more humid environment here, I could understand the issue as the fingerboard would expand and so push the binding further from the fret end, but things are very dry here, and if anything I'd expect the fretboard to shrink and so pull things in tighter. I don't actually think anything has moved at all to speak of, I'm just becoming more conscious of it as I've had it longer. I'll have a think about whether I want to try any of the suggestions made so far, then do (or not do) at that point.

No.... It's just the opposite. The wood is shrinking & the binding(probably made of plastic) is not. What I would do is experiment with re-hydrating the guitar. Keep the guitar in its case, get a couple of travel soap dishes, drill some holes in the plastic soap dish, cut a sponge to fit and wet the sponge. I usually place one under the headstock and another well you have to fnd a spot for it, I guess the accessory compartment would be the only spot. This will add necessary moisture to your guitar and the wood will expand to fill the gap. It may take a week or two but it will expand some, maybe not enough. Then you can add a spot of glue to the area where the binding has pulled away. These travel soap dishes work well, but in a pinch you could buy a couple of "dampit" type of products for acoustic guitars. IF you really want to monitor it you are looking to keep the humidity at about 45 to 50%. I know that will be hard but give it a try & see what happens.. A small hygrometer will cost under $20.00 so you can watch the progress in the case.

 

[zenmindbeginner]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

This is why some people just play Hamers. Lolz

Timbermate makes an excellent filler that comes in Ebony and Rosewood tinted colors. I use the stuff for grain filling, filling worn gouges in fretboards, bondo like applications etc. It would no doubt fill in those gaps rather nicely.

 

[frankfalbo]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

No.... It's just the opposite. The wood is shrinking & the binding(probably made of plastic) is not.

No, think it through. The fret does not expand or contract. Typically when fretboards dry out, the fret ends stick out. On a Gibson like that with nibs, the fret end pushes against the binding and hairline cracks in the binding appear under each fret. The problem is worsened with humidity. The board swells, the fret doesn't, so the gap increases.

The superglue fix is the best temporary one until a refret and "de-nibbing".

 

[Little Pigbacon]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

I haven't played on enough nib-bound necks to run into this, but it's not something I would likely enjoy. I'm a pretty sloppy player, and I need all the fret I can get on the outside strings. Replacing part of it with binding would not be a good move for me.

 

[Chris of Arabia]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

Well I finally got the job done with a combination of filling the gaps with Super Glue, and tapering the very ends of the fret down to meet where the nibs started - they were actually sitting just a fraction lower then the frets themselves, meaning there was not only a gap, but also a step down to them too. End result, a much easier experience when playing. I'm still not convinced it's a perfect solution, as I think only a refret would achieve that, but it's far more playable for me now. I'll give it a bit of time and see how we go. Thanks to everyone who chipped in with their suggestions, especially GuitarDoc.

 

[ratherdashing]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

I've always thought binding nibs was Gibson's worst design decision.

 

[GuitarDoc]

Re: How to deal with a small gap between the fret end and the 'nibs' on the binding?

I've always thought binding nibs was Gibson's worst design decision.

Absolutely 100% agree!