Easy way to fix bad fret??

constantine

I just purchased a used guitar and the E string at the 11th fret is dead. Sounds like metal on metal. All the other frets are fine. Anyone know of an easy solution. The fret does not appear to be loose, or otherwise damaged.

Thanks

Bob Holo

Sounds like a pretty classic "needs a fret dressing". There's no way to be sure without looking at it, but here's why I say that. If your 11th fret is buzzing metal-on-metal, it means your 12th fret is high. You would notice something like that on the high E string first because the action is typically lower on the treble side of the fretboard than the bass side. Add to that the fact that most guitars whose fretboards have not been properly dressed have a "hump" where the neck meets the body that results from... well... a number of things but suffice it to say that it's where you typically have problems on a guitar whose setup is not topnotch. Find a good tech and ask for a light fret dressing. It shouldn't cost a lot and assuming you trust the tech it'll give someone with knowledge about setup an opportunity to take a look and see exactly what's going on. (because you know... it might just be that the 12th fret is a little high under the E string... stranger things have happened) But - if it is just a general need for fret dressing - you'll find that your tone and playability will get better when your setup is good. If the setup on the guitar is quick & dirty - you probably have a lot of little things going on that just aren't pronounced enough to get your attention. Guitars with good setups have wider dynamic ranges - are capable of more volume - and just generally sound clearer whether strummed or picked because all the strings are capable of vibrating cleanly and loudly at all frets without undue hand pressure.

constantine

Thanks Bob. Somehow I didn't thank you before.