Rough Frets on a EMBB Axis question...

[wayoffmyaxis]

I have a 2006 EBMM Axis I got used from a pawn shop.
A friend played it the other day and noticed that the frets on both sides of the neck are rough. It's like they need to be filed down as they stick out a hair too long on each side of the neck. I hadn't really noticed until he mentioned it but notice it now.

No idea if it was refretted as the guitar was/is in mint condition when I got it.

Any fix to remove the roughness?

I can't imagine other EBMM would have this as I've never run aross it on any other guitars I've owned or played.

BTW, this didn't keep my friend from playing it for most of the afternoon. He wouldn't put it down!

And he has many other high end guitars in his collection but had never tired an EBMM before.

Thanks for any ideas or suggestions.

Jason

 

[mtrejo]

This sounds like fret sprout. If I remember correctly, the topic has been discussed so you should be able to find some helpful info here. Just do a search and congrats on scoring that pawn shop beauty.

 

[Tollywood]

Hello Jason,

Mario is correct. Since you live in a cold area, your home heating system is drying out your neck. Run a humidifier in the room with the Axis. After a week or so, the neck should fill out and the frets will be smooth against the wood.

To prevent this in the future, you should run a humidifier about once or twice a month during the cold season.

Good luck...

- Bryan

 

[wayoffmyaxis]

Fret sprout huh? Never heard of it. I'll check it out. I am in a very cold area, -24C this morning and it is very dry.

I'll run a humidifier and see if that makes a difference.

Thanks for the help before I took a file to it or something worse!

And thanks, I still can't believe I have such a nice guitar and got it by trading gear I don't even use anymore.


Jason

 

[Spudmurphy]

It's very easy to fix and it happened to one of my guitars 20 years after it was built. Any good luthier should bill you for about 30 mins work. The frets can be filed down using a file or wet and dry paper on a block. Alternatively introduce moisture to the guitar.

It will all be fine and your guitar will be ok.

 

[ErnieJohn]

-24, jeez I'd never leave the house

 

[beej]

Yeah, it's not fun here this week.

Fret sprout it is. Get that humidity back up and it'll be ok.

 

[Tollywood]

You're welcome, Jason. Try the humidifier before getting someone to file the ends. It may take more than a week. My old honeyburst Axis came from Canada and it took Tommydude over a week to correct those fret ends.

Yeah, the Axis is the best guitar ever. You made a good trade.

 

[wayoffmyaxis]

Great and fast information! Thanks again!

Hasn't been this cold for this long here in a few years. At least there is no wind.

And the Axis is truly amazing! My bar has been set a lot higher now! A Morse and an AL are now on my radar.

 

[Lou]

Quick case Humidifier on the cheap:

Ziplock sandwich bag
kitchen sponge small enough to fit in bag

Take scissors and cut many slits in bag. Dampen sponge (not sopping wet). Place sponge in bag. Place bag in case. Every few weeks you'll need to dampen sponge. It will help keep your guitar moist in dry climate during winter.

 

[Tim O'Sullivan]

Or get the ends taken care of while they are sticking out. At least regardless of the climate, they will never bother you again!

 

[Benji Peterson]

I've had the same problem this winter. It has been unbearably dry. Even my nostrils are fried! But yeah, at least four of my guitars have had fret sprout. Added the humidifier about five days ago and it has helped immensely.

 

[Spudmurphy]

Or get the ends taken care of while they are sticking out. At least regardless of the climate, they will never bother you again!

+1

 

[wayoffmyaxis]

I wanted to post an update. I had a humidifier installed in my furnace last week and have already noticed improvement in the fretboard from the fret sprout. The lower frets are almost back to normal and the upper frets are getting there. I’m sure things will be back to normal very soon.

Many thanks for the information and suggestions. I was planning on getting a humidifier and this was the catalyst to make it happen sooner than later. It made the most sense to get one for the entire house rather than several in different rooms. No more shocks on the carpets either!

 

[Tollywood]

That's great news, Jason.

I've been running mine quite a bit lately to prevent it from happening at my house, and so far I have no sprout at all.