1 (edited by MidnightMoses 2008-02-10 18:32:54)

Topic: Frets worn!!

The 2nd and 3rd frets on the neck of my guitar have grooves in them from the strings and I'm getting a twang sound when playing on the 1st string. I've put a new saddle in and raised the strings but now they're pretty high off the neck! Was wondering if anything can be done to the frets or replaced without costing to much?Any suggestions would be appreciated ....TY

2 (edited by Guitarpix 2008-02-10 18:55:54)

Re: Frets worn!!

I've had this same problem on the  e and b string. I keep my action really low and therefore it's more subseptible to the "twang" as you call it. You mentioned putting in a new saddle. Have you checked the neck properly? Contrary to popular belief a neck shouldn't be dead straight. Most styles favor a slight up bow in the neck. A neck that is too straight will cause this problem. The problem will also develop sometimes when you go to a lower gauge string and can be corrected by going back to higher gauge strings. If the neck is right and you still have this trouble and your action is equal to or higher than 4/64ths at the 12th you may need to just get the frets leveled and buffed. That is if they're not dug out too bad. If they're too bad and you have to replace those frets it shouldn't be a problem or big expence. A good reputable luthier should replace the frets in question for about $15-20 per fret. Hope some of that was helpfull...Peace!

[b][color=#FF0000]If your brain is part of the process, you're missing it. You should play like a drowning man, struggling to reach shore. If you can trap that feeling, then you have something.
[/color][/b]         [b]Peace of mind. That's my piece of mind...[/b]

Re: Frets worn!!

Ty pix..... I did go to an ultra string so you might have something there.I'll also check the neck!!!
And I'll ask around for reputable luthier...ty again..MM

Re: Frets worn!!

MidnightMoses wrote:

The 2nd and 3rd frets on the neck of my guitar have grooves in them from the strings and I'm getting a twang sound when playing on the 1st string. I've put a new saddle in and raised the strings but now they're pretty high off the neck! Was wondering if anything can be done to the frets or replaced without costing to much?Any suggestions would be appreciated ....TY

MM,
A bit of advice from me to you that'll prolong your fret life in a big way. Use a capo. Before i began using a capo I would have to get 3 fret jobs a year on my main gigging guitar. Since I added the capo i've been getting close to 3 years between fret jobs. I'll move the capo around from frets 1-5 throughout the course of a night. It has really helped me. And as far as getting fret jobs many repair guys won't do partial fret jobs, it's all or nothing with many. Do not, I repeat, do not give these non-compromising thieves your business. Look around and find a repair  person who will do partial fret replacement/repair.  The guy that does my guitars charges me $12 a fret. I usually get no less than 5 done at a time and I'll tip him an extra $15. The tipping really ensures good, quality work. Ask around to find who the top players in your area use for their repairs and go with the folkes the top dogs use. Good luck

Give everything but up.

Re: Frets worn!!

MidnightMoses wrote:

The 2nd and 3rd frets on the neck of my guitar have grooves in them from the strings and I'm getting a twang sound when playing on the 1st string. I've put a new saddle in and raised the strings but now they're pretty high off the neck! Was wondering if anything can be done to the frets or replaced without costing to much?Any suggestions would be appreciated ....TY

What type of guitar, acoustic or electric? If it is an electric strat type you can pick up replacement necks ranging from $50.00 to $500.00 american depending on what type of woods you want. If it is an acoustic (and or electric for that fact) you can get your frets crowned which if your grooves are not to deep will work out fine. A good luither can change out the bad frets it will cost either way though.

Bootlegger.