Which fret to file? DEAD FRET HELP

[AlkyHauler]

Ok, my MIM strat has a TERRIBLY dead 14th fret, so bad that the D string frets out completely on that fret. Its ONLY that fret however, its clear everywhere else. But the G D and A all have serious issues when fretted at the 14th fret. Its not neck relief, I have plenty. Its not action height, cant go much higher.

I am pretty sure that the 15th fret is just slightly higher than the rest, resulting in everything fretted at the 14th to sound dead. Does that make sense? I have a fret file and want to take the 15th fret down until hopefully I can eliminate the buzz at the 14th fret. Any ideas?

[Algiman]

I don't wish to be condescending, but if you have to ask this sort of question then I would recommend you take your guitar to a tech.

[Ibateur]

but since you ask, I would file the 15th fret, possible the rest of the ones higher...

[Algiman]

I would start by checking they are ALL level, correctly seated and crowned well.

[AlkyHauler]

Originally Posted by Algiman

I don't wish to be condescending, but if you have to ask this sort of question then I would recommend you take your guitar to a tech.

that wasnt my question

[AlkyHauler]

Originally Posted by Ibateur

but since you ask, I would file the 15th fret, possible the rest of the ones higher...

Thats the plan, taking strings off now.

[Algiman]

And my idea is that it isn't just a case of filing one fret.

[AlkyHauler]

Originally Posted by Algiman

And my idea is that it isn't just a case of filing one fret.

actually I think it is, I can fret, bend up 2 whole notes on the 13th, and the 15th, on all 6 strings. But on the 14th two strings are almost dead with no bending, and two more I can barely get a 1/2 step bend befoe they fret out. If it were more than one unlevel fret I would see problems on more than one fret. The last guitar I built from the ground up had the same issue, its just this one has been lying in the corner for years and I need a backup strat this weekend. I havent done a full fret job in years, which is why I wanted someone to back up what I was thinking. But I will start on the 14th and go all the way up if I have too.

[AlkyHauler]

Yep that was it, knocked the 15th down a tick and that took 90% of the buzz out.

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by Algiman

I don't wish to be condescending, but if you have to ask this sort of question then I would recommend you take your guitar to a tech.

JEMsite IS the tech..

bloody hell, thats like the standard I.T reply "have you restarted it?"

thats why he's asking the question here.

glad to see that you got rid of most of the buzz..
did you file that fret in one place or follow the contour of the fingerboard?
you may get rid of the other 10%
alternatively, you may have a troublesome fret higher up!
search for it ! eliminate the buzz !

[AlkyHauler]

Originally Posted by whatisshredding

JEMsite IS the tech..

bloody hell, thats like the standard I.T reply "have you restarted it?"

thats why he's asking the question here.

glad to see that you got rid of most of the buzz..
did you file that fret in one place or follow the contour of the fingerboard?
you may get rid of the other 10%
alternatively, you may have a troublesome fret higher up!
search for it ! eliminate the buzz !

yeah I followed the radius, but I'm still not happy with this neck AT ALL. I'm looking at warmoth now for a replacement. The 9.5" radius with those tiny frets just does not suit me at all. I'm used to wizard necks. I've never liked this neck and even though I've got most of the buzz out I'm still left with an action that is mile high. I want a 12" neck with 6105's. I have an old charvel #4 that has a great neck that I'm going to try tonight. IF that doesnt suit me then I guess I'll try a warmoth. Thanks for the feedback.

[Algiman]

Originally Posted by whatisshredding

bloody hell, thats like the standard I.T reply "have you restarted it?"

lol

Originally Posted by whatisshredding

alternatively, you may have a troublesome fret higher up!
search for it ! eliminate the buzz !

Absolutely, hence my comment that solving these problems takes a bit more than simply filing the fret that seems to be the problem.

Older MIM strats also have vintage sized frets so there isn't much room for error. This isn't the type of job that would suit the first timer, but AlkyHauler clearly has a great deal more experience than I thought (my apologies AlkyHauler) so fair enough. But, to my original post, never mistake one buzzing fret for a job that will involve simply filing down one fret! 90% of the time there is a lot more to do!

[AlkyHauler]

Originally Posted by Algiman

lol



Absolutely, hence my comment that solving these problems takes a bit more than simply filing the fret that seems to be the problem.

Older MIM strats also have vintage sized frets so there isn't much room for error. This isn't the type of job that would suit the first timer, but AlkyHauler clearly has a great deal more experience than I thought (my apologies AlkyHauler) so fair enough. But, to my original post, never mistake one buzzing fret for a job that will involve simply filing down one fret! 90% of the time there is a lot more to do!

Absolutely I didn't take offense, I realize that if someone was asking that question who had zero luthier experience then that would be the same advice I'd give.
But here is the finished product so you can see which route I ended up taking. OMG I absolutely LOVE my strat now. I'd had fought that dang thing from the day my wife gave it to me. If anyone has an old charvel sitting around and wants to spruce up the action of an old strat I'd HIGHLY recommend it.

This job wasn't a complete bolt-in however. I had to dremel down what basically amounted to the varnish off the bottom side to fit into the neck pocket to get just the right resistance when assembling. You also have to use the slightly bigger charvel neck screws, so you need to run those thru the body slowly to get the existing hole ready to accept the slightly larger screw. I also had to dremel down each hole on the back of the neck where the wood screw left a slight bur. It took 3 tries to get it right. I am absolutely floored with the results. Damn thing even stays in tune with avg tremelo use

Few pics, keep in mind this neck is 20 yrs old and needs oiling badly. It doesnt look as bad as the pictures make it look. Plus the guitar is covered in sweat because I've been hovering over it for the last 4 hours.

[AlkyHauler]

Another close up of the neck, I left the string locks loose, I was fully prepared to just remove it since this neck also has a standard nut but for now it seems to stay in tune just as good as it did before.