Fret Sprouting on an Axis ?

[jam3v]

A GC near me has a very nice (used) trans orange Axis. It far exceeded my expectations during the test drive.

However, the frets seem to be sprouting a bit. I'm not that familiar with fret sprouting, but the ends of the frets seem to be lifting from their seats.

My question is, should I stay away from this thing? Is fret sprouting a big deal? The guitar is absolutely mint except for the frets. It's the only thing stopping me from really picking it up at this point.

 

[Andrew Whitmore]

Best go get it checked out before the whole guitar needs a refret and the repair costs over twice.

Go to a good guitar tech though. A luthier or someone.

 

[ProtoChicken]

Fret Sprouting refers to the end of the frets protruding from the edges of the fretboard, usually owing to climate changes that cause shrinking of the wood. If the frets are actually lifting up from the fretboard you have a whole different issue.

Fret sprouting can sometimes be resolved by re-humidifying the wood, or if that doesn't work you can have them filed down. I think in general it's probably better to not get involved with an instrument that already needs work, if that is the case.

 

[bbake1]

My Axis' have been in AZ for two years now with no fret sprouting issues. So far......

 

[Spudmurphy]

Best go get it checked out before the whole guitar needs a refret and the repair costs over twice.

Go to a good guitar tech though. A luthier or someone.

wooh up there.
This is not an unusual occurrence, and I've yet to see a guitar with this symptom requiring a refret. It happened to a guitar of mine that was 20+ years old - and it happened because of a change of environment. Taking it to a luthier is good advice but shouldn't be necessary.

There is some very good advice on the forum about fret sprout so try a search?

but the best response is to contact Customer Service.

 

[ProtoChicken]

Keep in mind he hasn't purchased it yet. But as Spud said it's not unusual, especially given that the guitar is in Massachusetts where we often have the weather of 4 different seasons in the course of a week.

It would be cool if EB at some pointed offered maple necks that are impervious to the elements like Anderson's "Chocolate" Maple or Suhr's "Vulcanized" maple (same thing just different names). That would eliminate fret sprouting and the need for truss rod adjustments caused by climate changes.

 

[jamminjim]

Do you mean the frets ends are curling up, like the frets are tending to go straight instead of curved to the radius of the neck? Or is it they are sticking out of each side and feel sharp when you run your hand up and down the sides of the neck? (what most consider to be fret sprout)

I don't recall ever seeing or hearing/reading about fret ends lifting up and out of their seats on the ends. Maybe it's been refretted with fret wire that had the wrong tang size and the frets didin't have a good snug seat because of it.

I'd steer clear of this one.

 

[ProtoChicken]

I don't recall ever seeing or hearing/reading about fret ends lifting up and out of their seats on the ends. Maybe it's been refretted with fret wire that had the wrong tang size and the frets didin't have a good snug seat because of it.

I'd steer clear of this one.

I was wondering the same thing, fret issues are not something you hear about as a problem on EBMM's, even older used ones.

+1 to the steer clear.

 

[jamminjim]

It's possible this Axis was stored in a car that got hot in the sun and the wood has shrunk so much that the fret ends are lifting.
I found this great link about fret issues. It has great pictures. Check it out.

FRETS.COM

 

[jam3v]

I really appreciate all the helpful insight. I had no trouble playing the guitar - the fret ends didn't get in the way at all. And as I said, it played really well.

The frets, on the top part of the fingerboard, don't seem to have any problems. But the ends are curling up a little in some areas.

I'm going back to the store in a few hours, and I'll be posting some pictures here, so man would I be grateful if you guys watched this thread to provide your opinions.

 

[GWDavis28]

Fret sprout isn't any big deal, have GC detail the fret ends before you buy it. Make sure the guitar os to your satisfaction before you buy it. When I got my AL it had fret sprout, it had been from Hollywood to AZ to MA. Luckly for me it was still new and under warranty. I sent it back and EBMM took great care of it, hasn't had the problem since, though I store mine in their cases, New England weather is all over the place.

Good luck, hope it works out for you. Glenn |B)

 

[TNT]

It's a "used" guitar - who knows where its been or how it's been treated!! It certainly didn't come from the factory that way.

Sprout is typically not that big of a deal. Just about anything can be repaired of fixed on a guitar for relatively little cost overall anyway.

Like anything else in life, investigate a little, determine any repairs if any, etc. . . I'm sure you're paying "used" prices, so you can always use that bit of money you saved and throw it back at the guitar.

 

[jam3v]

Well. Either I was totally drunk (possible), or they fixed the guitar before I got there today - because there was absolutely nothing wrong with it.

It's in GREAT shape. NGD incoming. I just need to snap some photos.

Thanks again for the help dudes.

 

[GWDavis28]

Jam, great man, glad to hear it!!!

Glenn |B)

 

[ShaneV]

Keep in mind he hasn't purchased it yet. But as Spud said it's not unusual, especially given that the guitar is in Massachusetts where we often have the weather of 4 different seasons in the course of a week.

I propose that here in NH it's even worse

I see this all the time on guitars in shops (where they tend to run AC in the summer, which dries the heck out of the guitars). In my experience once I get them home, give them a hit of lemon oil/ wonder wipes and a week or two to acclimate to the natural humidity things work themselves out.

 

[Sweat]

Fret sprout will happen, climatic changes and HVAC will cause it, my GR developed it this winter, had the heat on alot due to our very unusual cold winter here, just cased it and then brought it out when the humidity increased without heat taking it out no problems now.