Height of a single fret issue

CampbellH · September 2023

On a Westfield E4000 I have one fret, 2nd, for just the high E string that is sitting too low. Easily seen with the rocker and a measure that the fret is about 0.2mm too low.

What is the best solution to remedy this?

Issue: Pressing the string down behind the 2nd fret the strummed string plays from the 3rd fret. Every other fret on the guitar plays as expected.

Winny_Pooh · September 2023

If enough height on the rest of the frets and some pitting I'd do a level and recrown.

If all the other frets are perfect then replacing just that fret.

I'd really need to see the guitar.

But first. Is the neck backbowed perhaps? Do you know how to check and adjust relief?

CampbellH · September 2023

Winny_Pooh said:

If enough height on the rest of the frets and some pitting I'd do a level and recrown.

If all the other frets are perfect then replacing just that fret.

I'd really need to see the guitar.

But first. Is the neck backbowed perhaps? Do you know how to check and adjust relief?

Looks like I am replacing the one fret, as I have set up this guitar like I do with every one

(Don't believe the previous owner, especially when they tell you they jut had it professionally setup by.. 'Name Drop')

There is no damage/pitting to any of the frets.I must have missed that one note when I was checking everything over. I blaming myself for that, and the fact it is only my second left handed guitar, I was just hoping someone would say **Easyish Fix is this ... **. :

I haven't replaced frets on a guitar yet. This will be a first. Thanks

Funkfingers · September 2023

CampbellH said:
Don't believe the previous owner, especially when they tell you they jut had it professionally setup by.. 'Name Drop'

Just ask to see the repairer's receipt.

BillDL · September 2023

There would be no sense in replacing just that single fret with the same height of fret as the others IF the issue is with the wood of the fretboard being in a dip right near the treble side and the fret having been hammered or pressed in to conform to that dip.

Do you have a notched straightedge in the appropriate scale whereby you could check whether the wood is in a dip at that fret on the treble side? If it is, then you may be able to get some fret wire of the same width but marginally taller, replace the fret with that wire, and then spot level it down to match the height of the frets either side. You will need a digital vernier to be accurate.

If somebody has been overzealous with recrowning or spot levelling of that fret at the treble side and has taken off too much height, or has used an inappropriate crowing file and taken material off the height of the fret at that point and there is no apparent dip in the wood, then a replacement fret of the same height as the rest will obviously work.

CarbonCopy · September 2023

I had the same issue with a Telecaster I bought on eBay. There was evidence of a slight nick in the 13th fret and it was clear that someone had tried to remove it by just removing material off of that fret only. It was noticeably lower and flatter than all the other frets. Apparently done by the seller's tech/luthier and he had not noticed the extreme buzzing when playing on that fret!

I got some money back to get a fret dressing, but did it myself by levelling and red crowning all the frets.

Howdy, Stranger!

Categories

In this Discussion

Become a Subscriber!

Height of a single fret issue

Comments