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Fretting problem with Millie DC


ElNumero

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Posted

Something weird going on with my Heritage Millie DC. On the high E string, F# and G are the same damn note! All the other strings (2 through 6 fret properly). But my F# on the first string frets the note G. What the heck!

Posted

Time to sell it. PM me

I just got this explanation from a guitar tech friend

 

Your second fret has worked its way loose and is high. This is not too uncommon in the winter when the humidity drops.

Posted

Sounds like the fret needs to be glued back in. Not uncommon. If I remember your DC Millie is under a year old and has gone from Michigan to North Carolina to Florida. Even with a ebony fingerboard changes can happen due to seasonal temps and humidity. A mahogany neck during it's first year of life may need to stabilize. For this reason I question getting a new guitar plexed before it had a chance to settle in. You got a lots of necks to keep healthy.

Posted

Sounds like the fret needs to be glued back in. Not uncommon. If I remember your DC Millie is under a year old and has gone from Michigan to North Carolina to Florida. Even with a ebony fingerboard changes can happen due to seasonal temps and humidity. A mahogany neck during it's first year of life may need to stabilize. For this reason I question getting a new guitar plexed before it had a chance to settle in. You got a lots of necks to keep healthy.

Actually Dan, it went from Michigan to Florida, then to South Carolina, then back to Florida!!!

Posted

Actually Dan, it went from Michigan to Florida, then to South Carolina, then back to Florida!!!

So I missed Florida. My bad.

Posted

It sounds like you have a very serious issue. Ship it to me and I'll put it in my shop. Do to the nature of the problem it may take a year or two to fix. ;)

 

It sounds like you have a very serious issue. Ship it to me and I'll put it in my shop. Do to the nature of the problem it may take a year or two to fix. ;)

Can you get it to me in 10 or 11 months? That seems more reasonable. Let me know and your address!! :icon_salut:

Posted

I just got this explanation from a guitar tech friend

 

Your second fret has worked its way loose and is high. This is not too uncommon in the winter when the humidity drops.

If you're fretting F# on the 2nd fret and getting G, the 3rd fret is high, not the 2nd. You can verify by rocking a short straight edge over the problem fret. The long edge of a credit card will work at the 3rd fret. If the fret is not high, then the straight edge will sit flush on the suspect fret and the two adjacent frets. If the straight edge "wobbles" then the fret is high. If this turns out to be the case, I would try tapping it down beneath the E string. This almost always works. Just be careful not to use a method that can dent the fretboard. I've used the end of a wooden dowel placed on the high spot and tapped the opposite end with a hammer. Must support the neck beneath the high fret, a firm pillow will work. Work slow. If you're uncomfortable see a guitar tech, this is a common, easily fixed issue.

Posted

If you're fretting F# on the 2nd fret and getting G, the 3rd fret is high, not the 2nd. You can verify by rocking a short straight edge over the problem fret. The long edge of a credit card will work at the 3rd fret. If the fret is not high, then the straight edge will sit flush on the suspect fret and the two adjacent frets. If the straight edge "wobbles" then the fret is high. If this turns out to be the case, I would try tapping it down beneath the E string. This almost always works. Just be careful not to use a method that can dent the fretboard. I've used the end of a wooden dowel placed on the high spot and tapped the opposite end with a hammer. Must support the neck beneath the high fret, a firm pillow will work. Work slow. If you're uncomfortable see a guitar tech, this is a common, easily fixed issue.

Thanks Ron, I will try the straightedge and see what results I get.

Posted

 

I think I can do that. We'll discuss it at PSP. :icon_biggrin:

I will make sure I bring it Tim!

Posted

The intonation is coming back and I now have the F# on the second fret instead of the G. I tweaked the truss rod 1/8 turn two times in one week then gave the neck some time to settle in. Thank goodness no loose frets.

Posted

The intonation is coming back and I now have the F# on the second fret instead of the G. I tweaked the truss rod 1/8 turn two times in one week then gave the neck some time to settle in. Thank goodness no loose frets.

So you say I was right and the neck moved back and the truss needed relief!

Posted

So you say I was right and the neck moved back and the truss needed relief!

Guy, you are always right! Why do I ever doubt you!!! :icon_scratch:

Posted

Funny, I had that too a few months ago on my Millie (it's a 2000 Ltd. Ed Model though so seems that doesn't only happen with new ones)… same thing, not actually a loose fret just neck adjusting itself to me turning up heat because of winter or sth. Truss relief solved it, and since it was already there at the luthier's bench a little fret job made it shine and play awesome again.

Posted

You bringing your wife to PSP this year? Always need something extra to chat about.... You Dawg!

Maybe.....!

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