Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB)

Go Back   Ken's Corner (Bass Forums Sponsored By KSB) > Double Basses > Luthier's Corner

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 03-15-2012, 03:48 PM
Nick Sorenson Nick Sorenson is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-22-2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2
Nick Sorenson is on a distinguished road
Default Good solution to cure fret sprout before it starts?

I've been making my own necks for a couple years now (electric guitar builder). I've noticed that as the weather dries out in the winters the frets sprout. This is old news I realize. But question,
Is there a good way to solve this problem?
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-15-2012, 10:25 PM
Tim Bishop's Avatar
Tim Bishop Tim Bishop is offline
Senior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-25-2007
Location: U.S.A.
Posts: 1,274
Tim Bishop is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb Yes....

Maintaining the proper humidity level where you keep your instruments is key. In the winter I run a humidifier at approx. 47%. I've never had a problem with "fret sprout".
__________________
Tim Bishop

Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-15-2012, 10:35 PM
Nick Sorenson Nick Sorenson is offline
Junior Posting Member
 
Join Date: 02-22-2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 2
Nick Sorenson is on a distinguished road
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tim Bishop View Post
Maintaining the proper humidity level where you keep your instruments is key. In the winter I run a humidifier at approx. 47%. I've never had a problem with "fret sprout".
In theory that's the best answer (especially for a Luthier to have in his back pocket)! But what about for a small builder who knows that most people won't do that? This is something I hear about every winter at least a few times for guitars I built in the summer and boy is it a pain trying to explain this to the customer.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-19-2012, 02:43 PM
Scott Pope Scott Pope is offline
Posting Member
 
Join Date: 01-23-2011
Location: Missouri
Posts: 79
Scott Pope is on a distinguished road
Default

There really is no good solution. It is what it is, especially for those who have to play in a wide range of climate conditions. I believe the best thing to do is when it happens, have a luthier dress the fret ends right then before the humidity rises and the wood swells back. If the wood swells beyond the fret ends, it isn't noticable anyway.

Or, anticipating such, the fret ends can be cut and dressed short to begin with, but this risks them being uneven, so I'd rather have the dressing later.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-19-2012, 10:14 PM
Ken Smith's Avatar
Ken Smith Ken Smith is offline
Bassist, Luthier & Admin
 
Join Date: 01-18-2007
Location: Perkasie, PA
Posts: 4,851
Ken Smith is on a distinguished road
Lightbulb Fret Sprout?

Spouting wings? lol

No, the Frets do NOT ever Sprout. It is the Fingerboard that shrinks around it.
Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 05:16 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.7.2
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Copyright © 2007 - Ken Smith Basses, LTD. (All Rights Reserved)