how to file or sand fret ends?

[Krazybob]

I bought a cheap bass for a back up. It is a Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string copy, made by Steller. It is an exact copy, but they sure missed sanding the ends of the frets. They feel like they would cut my fingers, and not sure what to use to smooth them out. A file, or sand paper may do the trick but to get them low enough so they don't stick out, it may mean sanding the edge of the neck too. Any suggestions?

Kraz~

[willsellout]

I bought a cheap bass for a back up. It is a Ernie Ball Musicman Stingray 4 string copy, made by Steller. It is an exact copy, but they sure missed sanding the ends of the frets. They feel like they would cut my fingers, and not sure what to use to smooth them out. A file, or sand paper may do the trick but to get them low enough so they don't stick out, it may mean sanding the edge of the neck too. Any suggestions? Kraz~

 

Go to Stewmac.com, they have a fret edge beveller. You could probably use a regular old flat file and follow up with some sandpaper to smooth out the chatter marks.

 

 

Dab

[MahaloVision]

I don't bother with the beveler. It's easy enough to do freehand with a good mill file. First mask off the neck below the fret tangs, then file the fret ends down close to the wood. Then file down the bevel until you hit the fretboard edge, plus a tiny bit more.

 

You still need to round over the beveled edge. You can do this with a specialized file from StewMac, or you can simply take a triangular file and grind one edge smooth ("safe") so that you don't mar the fingerboard. Once the ends are rounded over you can finish the job with the usual 220/400/600/on up grits of sandpaper, then buff out to polish if you like.

[Krazybob]

Thanks a bunch for the ideas. Sound like a fine tooth file, and a couple of fine grades of sandpaper should do the trick.

Krazy~

[hasbeen]

just a note- it isn't because they didn't file them at the factory. It's because the neck shrank, exposing the fret ends.

 

Filing- flat file, held at about 45 degrees. Please be aware though that this will sharpen the leading and following edges of the fret end, just over the tang. For this, I take a smaller file...like a jewelers files, and break that edge.

[Krazybob]

just a note- it isn't because they didn't file them at the factory. It's because the neck shrank, exposing the fret ends. Filing- flat file, held at about 45 degrees. Please be aware though that this will sharpen the leading and following edges of the fret end, just over the tang. For this, I take a smaller file...like a jewelers files, and break that edge.

 

Thanks, I noticed this when I finished with the filing and sanding. I have a small fine file I use for sharpening fish hooks that should do the job. Good idea, I never thought of that. Even with what I've already done, it has improved the feel of the neck 150%

Krazy~

[J.]

I'm afraid to use files on one of my guitars and basses, but it may come to that. I took my Taylor Big Baby into a fairly well respected luthier to have the exact same thing done. The fingerboard had shrunk, leaving jagged fret edges sticking out. I got the guitar back with noticeable file marks on the edge of the fingerboard and frets that while less noticeable, weren't smooth either. I also got a $50 bill.

[hasbeen]

Thanks, I noticed this when I finished with the filing and sanding. I have a small fine file I use for sharpening fish hooks that should do the job. Good idea, I never thought of that. Even with what I've already done, it has improved the feel of the neck 150% Krazy~

 

I'm glad.....sounds like you're on the right track. Best of luck.