Sanding Down Frets

[ovat13]

I just got the action on my ovation lowered and a few strings are scrubbing the first fret. How should I go about fixing the problem? I was thinking sanding down the frets, if that is what i should do how do I go about doing that?

[SwedishLuthier]

Your assumption that some frets are high is probably right on spot. That or you need a truss rod adjustment. But you can’t just sand down some frets. That’s what I did on my first acoustic some 20 years ago, and I had to leave it to a tech for a full, costly refret to get it fixed. I’ve learned some along the road.

What you need is a fret level job. You need a good tutorial/book/video or similar to get you going if you are going to do it yourself. Or leave it to a tech if you are not confident with doing it yourself. Truss rod adjustments are easier, but you still need some basic understanding about how things work.

Now my question: Who helped you get the action lowered? If it was a pro tech he/she should definitely have included a fret level job and/or truss rod adjustment. If that is the case, take it back to the shop and demand that they do the job properly.

[ovat13]

Your assumption that some frets are high is probably right on spot. That or you need a truss rod adjustment. But you can’t just sand down some frets. That’s what I did on my first acoustic some 20 years ago, and I had to leave it to a tech for a full, costly refret to get it fixed. I’ve learned some along the road.

What you need is a fret level job. You need a good tutorial/book/video or similar to get you going if you are going to do it yourself. Or leave it to a tech if you are not confident with doing it yourself. Truss rod adjustments are easier, but you still need some basic understanding about how things work.

Now my question: Who helped you get the action lowered? If it was a pro tech he/she should definitely have included a fret level job and/or truss rod adjustment. If that is the case, take it back to the shop and demand that they do the job properly.

Thanks alot for the help...A pro tech did do it so i guess i will just take it back and tell them the problem. But thanks so much for the info!!!

Thanks, Phillip Laye

[Southpa]

Geez, that pisses me off. Don't these guys ever check their work?

[another doug]

I'm not a pro, but my first thought was that the nut was slotted too deep. Could that be it?

[fryovanni]

I'm not a pro, but my first thought was that the nut was slotted too deep. Could that be it?

You know that was my first thought also. The nut can be filed right down equal to fret height and then with pretty low action have no issue. I am assuming the action is not generating more buzzing along the neck as he only mentioned the 1st. Sounds to me like the nut was brought down below the height of the first fret(or was worn down that far to begin with). Simple thing to check just capo it between 2 and 3 and see if the strings touch the first fret(personally I set mine to .005" clear on my acoustics with bone nuts).

Peace,Rich

[SwedishLuthier]

Oups, I read first frets, not first fret. Yeah, a too low nut is a must to add to the check-list. Still the pro that did the job ought to have taken care of this, or at least mentioned that the guitar needed additional work.