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ARRITDOR

Member
Joined
Oct 22, 2014
Messages
19
So I purchased a used 2014 JP6 with very rough, tear-your-fingertips fret-ends. The Interwebs agree that the fretboard shrunk due to humidity changes - fix is to put in a case with humidifier.
I've had it in a case with a humidifier for 3 days now but no change.
Anyone know how long this could potential take?
Thanks!
 

spychocyco

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 16, 2008
Messages
800
If the fret sprout is really bad, you may need to have them filed back and smoothed out. I've done it myself a few times on cheap guitars, but for a JP, I'd take it to a pro. It's not uncommon. It happens to guitars of all brands and price ranges, particularly if they're in a very dry climate or a very cold climate where you run the heat a lot in the winter.
 

tbonesullivan

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Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
2,435
Location
New Jersey
It can take a while for the humidity to effect the wood, especially if it is cold out. I would also say get the fret ends professionally taken care of, so it won't be a problem again.

Also, a room humidifier is great for keeping guitars and your sinuses from drying out.
 

BrickGlass

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Joined
Jan 23, 2009
Messages
855
Location
Utah
I had this problem too. It took two months with the humidifier to fully fix it. Three days may not do the trick.
 

Roxy

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Joined
Jul 1, 2005
Messages
343
Location
Central Ohio
I had this problem develop over the last few months to my LIII and SM-Y2D. I asked the Ernie Ball Reps at NAMM what to do and they said DO NOT have the frets filed because once humidified the frets will be too short. It was recommended that I buy case humidifiers and give it some time.

I bought the Oasis Guitar Humidifier Plus+ (because I live in the desert) for each case, an Oasis Hygrometer, and a small room humidifier on Amazon for $33.00 I found out the humidity in my house is very low at 30% and needs to be 45-50%. I didn't realize that electric guitars are susceptible to dryness much like acoustic guitars. I treated the fretboards with Wonder Wipes, fresh strings, and cased them with the humidifiers (and I always keep them cased when not playing).

In two weeks time, my guitars have just about recovered back to their original state. The last few frets on each guitar need a little more time. I moved the Oasis Humidifier from behind the headstock to the open area in the case next to the 22nd fret. I'm monitoring them everyday and should be in good playing shape soon.

The room humidifier allows the case humidifiers to not have to "work" or dry out so fast. Plus, a bonus I didn't think of is that I've never slept better! My house feels like the acoustic room in Guitar Center.
 

Astrofreq

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Joined
Sep 5, 2006
Messages
4,201
Location
Santa Fe, NM
Get a set of files and do it yourself. Take your time and you'll be fine. I've done it on hundreds of guitars when I was a repair guy at a local shop. Any even semi-experienced tech can do this in his/her sleep. VERY common repair, not to knock anything the EB rep said. I'm just saying that if you live in a climate drier than where the guitar came from, do it. I have done this to my new Reflex and Cutlass in the last couple of weeks. No way I'm going to keep playing it with sprouts and keeping these humidified in the desert is far tougher than just file the 2mm's of fret sprout.

just my 2cents.
 

ohbugger

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Joined
Nov 16, 2014
Messages
124
Just did this on a 2011 JP7 that I bought used last year. It happened to exhibit some sprout this Winter, even after I had used oil on the fretboard (none of my other Balls in that room had any sprout that could be felt).

All we are doing is taking off a minuscule amount from each side to smooth the fret ends and bring them more flush with the wood. Look up a tutorial online before diving in and you'll be fine!
 
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