If you slide your hand up the neck and feel little sharp edges catching your palm, those are fret ends sticking out. It’s one of the most common problems we see in Redding, and it’s quick and affordable to fix.
Why it happens here
Fretboards are wood. Frets are metal. When the air gets hot and dry, like a Redding summer, the wood loses moisture and shrinks a little. The frets don’t shrink, so their ends end up sticking out past the edge of the fretboard. Guitars that sit near a window, in a hot car, or in a room with the AC running all day see it the most.
It happens on cheap guitars and expensive ones alike. Acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and basses all get it.
Signs you need fret end dressing
- Sharp edges you can feel along the side of the neck
- Your hand catches or gets scratched when you move up and down the neck
- You can see a little gap where the fret ends no longer sit flush with the wood
- The guitar was fine last winter but feels rough now
What we do
- File each fret end flush with the edge of the fretboard
- Bevel and round the ends so they feel smooth under your hand
- Polish the ends so there are no rough spots left
- Clean and condition the fretboard so the wood gets some moisture back
- Check the neck and string action while it’s on the bench
The goal is a neck that feels smooth from the first fret to the last, without changing how the guitar plays.
Do it with a setup
A dry fretboard usually means the neck has moved too. Pairing fret end dressing with a guitar setup or a truss rod adjustment gets everything back in shape at once. If the frets are worn on top as well, ask about a fret level and polish.
Keep it from coming back
- Keep your guitar out of hot cars and direct sun
- Use a case humidifier during dry months
- Store it in its case instead of on a wall near a vent
Drop off in Redding
Bring your instrument to the shop on Redcliff Drive in Redding. Most fret end jobs are done in a day or two. We help players all over our service area.
Sharp Fret End Dressing questions
Why are my fret ends suddenly sharp?
The wood fretboard shrinks when it dries out, but the metal frets don't. In Redding's hot, dry summers that shrinkage leaves the fret ends sticking out past the edge of the neck.
Will it come back?
Once the ends are filed flush they usually stay comfortable. Keeping the guitar out of hot cars and using a humidifier in dry months helps keep the fretboard from shrinking again.
How long does it take?
Usually a day or two in the shop. We can often do it along with a setup.