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Original message:304 days 4 hours 16 minutes ago

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Member: dianna

223
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So as you all probably know, I really dig the bass. Lately, I've been doing a lot of sliding up & down the neck, and I'm thinking in the future I'm gonna have to go fretless because I love the smoothness of a fretless neck. In the meantime, It seems like the frets on my bass are really out there and tearing my fingers up. Would it be bad to file my frets down? And what would I use to do such a thing? Sandpaper? Steel wool? In general, I'm pretty scared to do major work on my instruments, but I need to break past that fear if I ever want to get into building...so, any advice G.com?

My music recommendations:

My gear recommendations:

The only cure for the suck is practice, practice, and more practice!!

Reply:304 days 4 hours 7 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila

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2685
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I use small files. You're going to be working on brass. TAKE YOUR TIME! It's going to be a slow process. I've done it to a number of "cheap" guitars as it seems they don't get the attention the higher priced models get at the factory. I'd keep away from sandpaper as it will definately mar the finish at the edges of the neck. A file may also mar the finish if you slip, but the "mistake" will end up being MUCH smaller.

My gear recommendations:

"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com

Reply:304 days 4 hours 6 minutes ago
Member: dcunning30

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3083
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If you don't have experience filing your frets, don't make your player instrument your first try. Or else.............

My music recommendations:

Reply:304 days 4 hours 4 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila

2685
WebCred

OH... And I have a Carvin fretless with flat wounds. I love that bass! Built it as a kit. (An idea that would save you money and get you a little experience too!) They put fret lines on the neck, (good thing because I need them!) You just need to remember to put your finger ON the line and not behind it as with a fretted bass, or you'll end up flat. (NO... Not there...)

My gear recommendations:

"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com

Reply:304 days 4 hours 2 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila

2685
WebCred

I think she's just filing the edges dc, if I read it right. It's typical that the edges don't get dressed well on many a guitar under $1000.

My gear recommendations:

"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com

Reply:304 days 4 hours 1 minutes ago
Member: dianna

223
WebCred

Thanks Xark. So the files you use, are they specifically for guitars? Or are they just generic files you would find at a hardware store? Do they have gauges or anything that I should look for specifically when buying a file for this purpose? I'd definitely need something stronger than a nail file, right?

My music recommendations:

My gear recommendations:

The only cure for the suck is practice, practice, and more practice!!

Reply:304 days 4 hours ago
Member: dianna

223
WebCred

Oh, yeah, I'd just be filing the edges...maybe the tops of the frets too...just to make them smoother & flatter.

My music recommendations:

My gear recommendations:

The only cure for the suck is practice, practice, and more practice!!

Reply:304 days 3 hours 47 minutes ago
Member: Xarkzila

+ 1

2685
WebCred

I'd avoid the tops of the frets. If you take off too much, (and that depends on your setup, it could be as little as 1/100 of an inch,) you could adversely affect how it plays and could be in for a refretting.

Yes, hardware store, Radio Shack, etc... I have fairly fine files, so I don't take too much. Just round off the edges and let the tops wear naturally. If the tops of the frets are grooved from playing, then it may be time for a refret. If you're not getting any buzzing, it's probably OK, but DON'T file the tops as you'll never get it right. Your fretboard has a slight radius and this shapes the frets when installed. It is IMPERATIVE to keep this radius intact. Filing, without the proper jigs, will mean you will most likely change this radius and that's not a good thing.

My gear recommendations:

"The music industry is a cruel and shallow money trench. A long plastic hallway where theives and pimps run free and good men die like dogs. There's also a negative side..."
http://www.cleargravy.com

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