The dreaded shrinking fretboard

[DankStar]

So....if a fretboard shrinks due to dryness and the frets poke out a bit, will they eventually poke back in? It rained for the first time in like 8 months last Sunday. It lasted about 10 seconds. Coincidentally, I can start to feel the sharp edges of the frets on my fender strat (maple neck/board). Considering having my tech dude file them, but not if it might correct itself.

 

[thespricket]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

You can leave it in the bathroom with a very hot shower running. Let the water run for 15 mins or so then turn off the water and let the guitar sit in the room with the steam. Then maybe leave it in a case or bag with a sponge or humidifier. Leave it humidifying for the rest of the season. Winter is a killer on guitars, not only the dry winter air but the heat in your home will do some damage as well. If the frets aren't back to normal within a few weeks you'll have to have them filed. Depending on the wood and the finish I've seen some frets set right back in, but sometimes they'll never sit back in correctly and will require some filing.


Guitar->pedals->amp

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

It usually won't correct itself in my experience.

 

[PFDarkside]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

Best excuse to get some humidification going! My acoustic is in the case with a humidifier (Planet Waves Humidipak) whenever I'm not playing. The rate that it needs excess moisture is nearly shocking. I've never humidified an electric before, but this makes me want to throw something in there...

If you can swing whole house humidification you'll feel a whole lot more comfortable too!

 

[Lake Placid Blues]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

It won't keep shrinking forever. Just file it smooth now and your done.

 

[Gearjoneser]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

We live in the driest climate in the world, so guitars dry out here. Since it's shrinking, the fret edges should be filed. The good part is that guitars open up and sound better. The negative is that some guitars, especially acoustic tops can crack.

On electrics, I embrace the wood drying out, as long as it gets hit with polish on a regular basis, and lemon oil on the fretboards. With acoustics, I sometimes put a humidifier in the case when I know it won't be played for quite awhile. Your strings will be shot when you grab that guitar again, but at least the wood stayed humidified.

 

[Farkus]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

I just moved back to Kentucky after living in Houston, Texas for a decade. The house I'm renting has poor insulation so we've had to keep the heat up and the center of the house, including my guitar room, has been hot and dry. I have a bunch of things going on like a new baby, job changes due to the move and all that so I haven't played much. I got a couple out last week and I noticed on several of my electrics the frets are now poking out enough that it's catching my fingers when I slide. I've never seen electrics do this so badly and I've been playing a long time. Looks like I'll be headed to Wilcutt's for some service...welcome home I guess. LOL

 

[vinta9e]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

When the fret ends poke out the most, is the best moment to file them, I guess.

 

[thespricket]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

Depending on the severity they may set back in once they're humidified. I've seen this happen to several electric and acoustic guitars. Yes, filing them will fix it, may you may not have to.


Guitar->pedals->amp

 

[Vasshu the humanoid typhoon]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

Put it in a guitarcase, use a few sponges, put the case flat on the floor somewhere it will not be moved around, get the sponges in a plasticbag and have the sponges soaked up well...., tear a hole in the bag, at the top of the bag, stick it in the case so the water will not come out, close the lid, and wait about 3-4 weeks, maybe 5...
Most of the time it should cure most of the sharp ends.....
The Planetwaves humidipacks is cool for daily stuff, I use it here in the winter time, the freezing dries out the air here...and my acoustic guitar would die if I did not use it!

 

[Farkus]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

After reading the advice here I just bought some humidifiers for the house. I will try that along with the sponges. Thanks for the info everyone.


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[aleclee]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

I like to knock down fret sprout when it occurs

 

[Wattage]

Re: The dreaded shrinking fretboard

have the frets dressed and get a room humidifier where the guitars are kept.