koula901 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 There's a gritty feel at the 7th fret of my tele when I bend the G string. I wonder what the problem might be. Could it be that the lacquer is wearing off, or maybe the fret has wear? I do bend the string in that position a lot. What say you, oh guitar sages. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthpawGuy Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Could be the fingerboard radius coming into play, i.e. fretting out. If it's only on one string it could be a sign that the action has changed with seasonal humidity variations, might just need a truss rod tweak. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Genericmusic Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 What say you, oh guitar sages. Could be the fingerboard radius coming into play, i.e. fretting out. If it's only on one string it could be a sign that the action has changed with seasonal humidity variations, might just need a truss rod tweak. I concur. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Is it just something you feel or something you hear? Any loss of sustain? Could be rusty or worn strings too. Fret could be getting a little grooved too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 New strings were put on last night, so it's not that. There's no loss of sustain. I need to take a better look at it for fretware. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 Ah, new strings don't always mean they are fresh or good. Might be a bad set. Did you notice it before the strings? If you feel its not the strings, carefully, rub a little steel wool on the suspected fret. Be sure to avoid touching the wood! Also, is it maple or rosewood? If it rosewood, oil the fretboard. If its maple, it may be just wearing down. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthpawGuy Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 New strings of the same brand and gauge ? Or a different brand ? It's more noticeable on a strat or trem equipped guitar but lower tension equals lower action which may cause fret buzz, usually in the middle of the neck if there isn't enough relief. At the moment I'm running a humidifer when the heating is on to try and prevent any sudden major change of humidity. Also fwiw all maple necks seem to have more problems with humidity and temperatire variations than maple / rosewood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MartyGrass Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 If it's a metal grittiness you feel, it's likely the fret. Lacquer won't feel like that. To rule out the string, drop the tuning F# and try bending the string. If it still grinds on the 7th fret, it's your fret. You don't have to do anything about it unless you want to. The fret will eventually wear smooth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
plexirocker 68 Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 yep, as Marty says, or you could clean that fret and polish it real quick to speed that process up plexi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted December 19, 2012 Author Share Posted December 19, 2012 Lots of great suggestions. Thanks fellas! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mars_hall Posted December 19, 2012 Share Posted December 19, 2012 How clean is the slot at the saddle? If the slot is sloppy (too wide or irregular), it might account for a perceived grittiness as you stretch the string. The string may be stretching ever so slightly at the slot with each bend and the string angle created. Also lateral movement of the saddle on the plate would be something to look at. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GuitArtMan Posted December 20, 2012 Share Posted December 20, 2012 If you feel its not the strings, carefully, rub a little steel wool on the suspected fret. This - use 0000 steel wool and keep it away from the pickups! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DetroitBlues Posted December 21, 2012 Share Posted December 21, 2012 This - use 0000 steel wool and keep it away from the pickups! I usually use painters tape to cover the poles and another magnet to clean up the shavings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 what it turned out to be, for anyone interested, is that there was some stuff on the frets (when they sprayed the neck, with whatever it is they spray it with) and it was never taken off. A little fine steel wool made it better again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HRB853370 Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 Ah, new strings don't always mean they are fresh or good. Might be a bad set. Did you notice it before the strings? If you feel its not the strings, carefully, rub a little steel wool on the suspected fret. Be sure to avoid touching the wood! Also, is it maple or rosewood? If it rosewood, oil the fretboard. If its maple, it may be just wearing down. What are the odds of having a bad set of strings with today's QC? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbonesullivan Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 FYI: when fender paints their tele and strat necks, they do it after the frets are put on. So, they paint EVERYTHING. Then they come back and remove the finish, but only from the top of the frets. It'll still be on the sides. So, this is a normal thing that happens when fender teles. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
koula901 Posted December 22, 2012 Author Share Posted December 22, 2012 FYI: when fender paints their tele and strat necks, they do it after the frets are put on. So, they paint EVERYTHING. Then they come back and remove the finish, but only from the top of the frets. It'll still be on the sides. So, this is a normal thing that happens when fender teles. hmm . . . and it's a made in America tele; I would think the quality control would be better. who knew? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tbonesullivan Posted December 22, 2012 Share Posted December 22, 2012 hmm . . . and it's a made in America tele; I would think the quality control would be better. who knew? I wouldn't really call it a quality control thing. It's just how they have always made the necks with maple fretboards. My G&L SB-2 from 1989 was the same way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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