Fret Sprouting (Maple vs Rosewood)

[Moondog]

Maple vs Rosewood Fretboards . .

Before recognizing the importance of temperature/humidity control
in regard to wooden instrument storage, I owned (3) basses that
developed fret sproutting (frets protrude from sides of fretboard).
Not all EBMM's, however, all of them had maple fretboards. I've
had plenty of older rosewood-boarded basses, stored in the same
conditions for similar periods of time and they never had the problem.

So, are maple-boarded basses more susceptable to fret sprouts
than rosewood?

This is probably just a bizarre coincidence, but I'm curious about
other experiences and what percentage of basses returned for this
issue are maple vs RW??

 

[cdb]

Maple vs Rosewood Fretboards . .

Before recognizing the importance of temperature/humidity control
in regard to wooden instrument storage, I owned (3) basses that
developed fret sproutting (frets protrude from sides of fretboard).
Not all EBMM's, however, all of them had maple fretboards. I've
had plenty of older rosewood-boarded basses, stored in the same
conditions for similar periods of time and they never had the problem.

So, are maple-boarded basses more susceptable to fret sprouts
than rosewood?

This is probably just a bizarre coincidence, but I'm curious about
other experiences and what percentage of basses returned for this
issue are maple vs RW??

How were you storing them?

 

[Psycho Ward]

I just went to the bathroom and thought about this, I figure the frets don't get longer, but the wood shrinks. Maybe maple shrinks more than rosewood...

 

[Moondog]

How were you storing them?

In NJ on hangers, in a room w/hot water heating,
no humidification in winter, A/C in summer.
Approx Temp = 65-75 degrees F

 

[Moondog]

I just went to the bathroom and thought about this, I figure the frets don't get longer, but the wood shrinks. Maybe maple shrinks more than rosewood...

Yes, that's definetly the case . . the wood expands and shrinks
when subjected to substantial changes in environment. I was
thinking that the characteristics of Maple made it more prone
to shrinking than RW ??

 

[cdb]

In NJ on hangers, in a room w/hot water heating,
no humidification in winter, A/C in summer.
Approx Temp = 65-75 degrees F

hmmmm... i have stored them in PA, (not far from red bank) in cases and on a rack, in the basement where the temp goes from frigid and dry in the winter to humid and hot in the summer... with no fret sproutage... and for basses I car a liitle bit more about--in the bedroom closet in a case with no sproutage either...

maybe its the way the maple is cut-- quarter sawn or flat sawn, the way the maple is dried... kiln dried, air dried... and the way the maple is finished... nitrocellulose, polyurethane, gunstock oil/wax, other...

 

[Figjam]

I know ebony is very prone to this, so what characteristics might ebony have, and then see whether maple or rw is more similiar? In my experiences, both can be very prone to this happening, though.

 

[GHWelles]

How do you fix it once it happens?

 

[Kirby]

I have seen this on both Rosewood and Maple. You can minimize this by using a humidifier.

I would think that with a NJ winter you would really need one for the basses sake and your personal health since dry nasal passages tend to get irritated more easily.

I would purchase a humidifier that you can set the humidity on. This should prevent most of your problems. The necks should move less with a consistant humidity too.

If you do have the problem using a fine toothed fret file works for me. Finish up with progressively finer sand paper and you will never know you had any problems to begin with. Stewart MacDonald has both the fret files and the sand paper in convenient square pads that make this job a snap. I think they even addressed this very topic not too long ago in their helpful tip e-mails.

Good luck!

 

[Moondog]

Like I said, this occurred before I knew about proper storage.
I now use humidification/dehumidification whenever possible
and try to prevent extremes.

cdb, I also never had issues with certain basses even after
leaving them in garages, basements, cars, for extended periods.
Just wierd that this has only happened to my maple basses

Wonder Dog,
The first time I sent it back to EB. You guys did an incredible
job on it . . incredible fretwork. Since then, I purchased
various fret files and sanding pads from Stewart MacDonald
just like Kirby suggested. It's an ez fix.

 

[GHWelles]

I've got it on an older guitar I have, not an EBMM....

 

[Bill]

Ken, believe it or not, but the honeyburst 'Ray developed a bit of a fret sprout problem! My guess is that the change from NJ to Louisiana affected the neck. It wasn't a big deal, but just this week I decided to bring it to a local repair shop. (I didn't have the nerve to try filing it myself! ) Everything's good as new now. This baby plays like a dream! My maple-boarded 'Ray hasn't had this problem. Of course, it went from California to Florida to Louisiana, so I'm guessing the similar climates might have helped. Then again, I did take it to NY for some gigs once.

 

[Moondog]

Ken, believe it or not, but the honeyburst 'Ray developed a bit of a fret sprout problem! My guess is that the change from NJ to Louisiana affected the neck. It wasn't a big deal, but just this week I decided to bring it to a local repair shop. (I didn't have the nerve to try filing it myself! ) Everything's good as new now. This baby plays like a dream! My maple-boarded 'Ray hasn't had this problem. Of course, it went from California to Florida to Louisiana, so I'm guessing the similar climates might have helped. Then again, I did take it to NY for some gigs once.

That's strange Bill
I had that thing for 10+ years w/no issues & wouldn't expect
LA weather to be the culprit (but I hadn't played that bass much
as you could tell). I'm happy you corrected it, nice to see you
taking good care of that fine piece.

 

[Musicman Nut]

Maple vs Rosewood Fretboards . .

Before recognizing the importance of temperature/humidity control
in regard to wooden instrument storage, I owned (3) basses that
developed fret sproutting (frets protrude from sides of fretboard).
Not all EBMM's, however, all of them had maple fretboards. I've
had plenty of older rosewood-boarded basses, stored in the same
conditions for similar periods of time and they never had the problem.

So, are maple-boarded basses more susceptable to fret sprouts
than rosewood?

This is probably just a bizarre coincidence, but I'm curious about
other experiences and what percentage of basses returned for this
issue are maple vs RW??

That Is very common, what your seeing is as the wood drys the wood shrinks and the frets don't, Some wood has already dried to its limit which is why you see it on some and not on others.

 

[PocketGroove82]

wow, I learn a lot here.

 

[Chris C]

I've had it happen on maple, rosewood, pao ferro, wenge, and ebony. The dry climate in my area actually makes the problem pretty common. The only cure I've found is to carefully go at it with a fret plane (not for the faint of heart)...

 

[Bill]

I'm happy you corrected it, nice to see you
taking good care of that fine piece.

You bet! I'm at work right now, and she's lying in a gig bag right under my desk. (Got a gig tonight & won't have time to go home. )

 

[midopa]

hmm Having seen it recently on some maple-boarded basses and owning one myself, I'm concerned. As long as I put lemon oil on the board once or twice a year it'll be ok, right?

 

[soniq]

I've only seen this on maple boards, most severe on birdseye maple. My rosewood boarded basses have had no issues. Mabye the woods should be fully cured/aged?

 

[PocketGroove82]

like a good cut of meat