Guitar Fret Troubles
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Posted on Oct 10, 2009 01:18 am
Fragile
Member Since: Sep 30, 2009
I recently bought an Ibanez AEL20e acoustic electric (Great guitar for the money btw, doesn't play too well but it sounds much better than many higher priced guitars). Anyway, for a $350 guitar to sound that great plugged in, i was expecting some troubles and they came.
The high e string has a tendency to get caught behind the frets when i'm playing. Don't ask me how the sting flies up under the frets when i'm playing because i frankly have no idea, it just happens sometimes. Under closer examination, i noticed only 3 frets are sticking up at the end it looks like, and the sting catches under these sharp edges. The rest are tight up against the neck, but for some reason those 3 didn't get pressed into the neck far enough (Don't comment on my ignorance to how guitars are made lol. I have no idea).
Any ideas on ways i could repair this at home, or if a tech could do it (and if so, a vague price range. <$50, $150, $250, etc). Its really becoming an annoyance. I'm starting to play out and need to make this thing a little more reliable. Not to mention those 3 frets that stick out are sharp! I've had the guitar a week and my pointer finger on my fretting hand is raw! The edges are constantly scraping my skin off. Any input is appreciated.
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Oct 10, 2009 01:36 am most guitar shops will have a tech that can fix that.....go ahead and get a "full setup" ....this will make the playability MUCH better most setups cost between $50 and $150 depending on how much work they have to do....yours will be in that upper range (US dollars)... if the fret is simply "sticking out past the edge of the neck" you can take a file to it...but if there is a gap between the fret and the fingerboard then i'd let a more experienced person look at it....could be tapped in with some careful rubber mallet work. i donno i'm no tech.
Oct 10, 2009 01:56 am Fret work is difficult. And if you have never attempted any repairs of this nature before, now is NOT the time to start.
You do need to take it to someone who knows how to handle that type of work.
Since you just bought it, I would take it back the store. Most places do have a tech on hand. They should repair it for little or no cost. Hopefully you did buy this from a reputable company?
If not, then it may cost a little to have it repaired. As to how much? That depends on who you take it to. Without seeing how bad the fret is, it's hard to say what the price will be.
Oct 10, 2009 10:44 am Yeah i didn't really expect to be able to safely fix this myself haha. Thought it was worth asking though :]
Anyway, I bought it at Guitar Center. It never occurred to me to have them look at it. Hopefully they have a tech on hand. I spoke to them a few weeks ago and they mentioned they were looking at hiring someone but they had no one yet. I'll take it in today and see if there's anything they can do, and let you guys know if they can fix it. One problem i foresee is that i had to have it shipped to my house, they ordered it online for me b.c. i wanted a finish they don't keep on stock. Ah well it is beautiful :] thanks guys
TadpuiI am not a crook's headMember
Since: Mar 14, 2003
Oct 11, 2009 03:20 pm If you bought it new from Guitar Center, they will do a free setup for you. You might want to get it done within 30 days of purchase just to make sure. I just bought a guitar from GC and they said their tech would do a free setup because the action is a little high for my tastes.
Dematrixhttp://www.reverbnation.com/2ndgMember
Since: Nov 27, 2007
Oct 12, 2009 02:22 am they use a speacial glue, apparently its thinner than water so it gets right down into any cracks,they basicly squirt some under the fret and clamp it.
you'd be able to do it youself if you buy the right clamp.
