Rough fret surface...

[EJWW]

Hi all, 

 

I recently bought a brand new bass and the frets have a quite rough feel to them. 

 

Not the fret ends but the actual surface of the frets. When you fret and bend a string it feels unpleasant and rough. 

 

After googling the problem I have come to the conclusion that I should polish the frets.

 

Is this right, before I spend any money on a kit? 

 

Thanks in advance for your advice 🙂

[Jean-Luc Pickguard]

Yes — Sounds like a fret polish is needed. One way to do this which is inexpensive but can be a little messy is to use 0000 steel wool which is safe to be used on a rosewood fingerboard if you go with the grain, but always use a steel fret mask or masking tape on a lacquered maple board. If you do use steel wool, also mask off the pickups as the magnets can attract the little bits of steel wool that break off