Can fret edges become exposed over time?

[WrexhamBassist]

Lately I've been feeling rough fret edges on the neck of my 2018 Fender Deluxe Active Precision Bass Special.

 

I don't know if they were always rough and I was too inexperienced to notice? Is it possible the neck has worn away over time, exposing more of the fret edges?

 

Is that a stupid question?

[chris_b]

The bass hasn't worn away. If the bass is kept in a dry atmosphere the wood can contract, so frets can "sprout" at the edges of the fretboard.

 

If it really is a problem a good luthier can file the fret ends.

[Doctor J]

Do you oil the fretboard?

[TheGreek]

My electronics guy complained of this only the other day. 

I gave him @Garymac's details.

[WrexhamBassist]

Never oiled the neck, and I've never looked into doing so. It's a maple fingerboard, if that makes any odds?

[chris_b]

Maple frerboards are usually sealed, so you can't oil them.

[fretmeister]

It happens when the wood dries over the years. Quite normal.

 

Doesn't costs a lot to get them sanded down. I've tried it myself but I could never get the ends as smooth as a pro would.

Me using a £5 set of Amazon brand files probably didn't help!  

[Risk101]

Yeah this happened to some frets on my Shuker and Jon simply filed them down - no problems since. 

[TheGreek]

That's the sort of service we've come to expect from the top UK builders. 👍👍

[binky_bass]

@WrexhamBassist - I have one of these files, it works an absolute treat to very quickly resolve this exact problem with minimal effort and minimal skill needed! 

 

Edited February 10, 2023 by binky_bass

[WrexhamBassist]

@binky_bassCool - how do you protect the neck when using one of these?

[binky_bass]

You can use a layer or two of masking tape, though I didn't I must confess. If you make very light passes at an angle with a similar file to that, you should hit the fretboard itself. 

[Doctor J]

If it's a lacquered maple board, that's not a great idea.

[three]

I’ve had a few basses with this - known as fret-sprout and even Alembic alludes to the condition and resolution on its website. It isn’t sprout, of course, but wood contraction resulting from drying over time. Any decent luthier can sort this easily and cheaply. Be careful though, one well known luthier went a bit too far on the G string side on one of my basses, to the extent that I had to re-cut the saddle slot to prevent the G slipping off the board. Moderation and care are key!

[NancyJohnson]

Wood shrinks and swells, if the frets are well bedded it's unlikely that they'd move but if the neck material contracts the it's feasible you could have a tiny bit of overhang.  Just buy one of those fret levelling things and run it along the side of the neck a few times.  Sorted.

[gary mac]

16 hours ago, TheGreek said:

My electronics guy complained of this only the other day. 

I gave him @Garymac's details.

Thanks Mick

[binky_bass]

@WrexhamBassist - If you do go down the file route, to save you buying one (as they're not super cheap), Im happy to send you my one, just send it back when you're done with it. Let me know. 👍 

[ezbass]

10 minutes ago, binky_bass said:

@WrexhamBassist - If you do go down the file route, to save you buying one (as they're not super cheap), Im happy to send you my one, just send it back when you're done with it. Let me know. 👍 

Basschat is such a decent community, for the most part. You don't see this kind of thing much outside of these pages. Well done, Sir 👏👏👏

[WrexhamBassist]

That's so kind, @binky_bass thank you. It's probably not sprouted badly enough to warrant filing just yet - it'll just be my excuse for my crappy playing! Haha

[binky_bass]

No worries! It's a standing offer if you wanted to give it a go. 

 

I bought an old Squier from a bootsale for £20 in the summer, 5 minutes with that file took it from being painful to play to being super smooth and fast! A few light passes makes a world of difference to proud fret ends

 

I also used it to level a raised fret on Binky, worked a charm there too! 

[Ralf1e]

You can do them with fret erasers. They are a bit more gentle than a file and leave a very nice finish.

You will find them on Amazon or fleabay.

Edited February 13, 2023 by Ralf1e
Autospell got it wrong