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12 fret 1 string mistake?

Well thiis ain't ever happened. I have a fretted cbg. Only the lowest string at the 12th fret is off. It's hitting the frets around it blocking the sound ..just the 12th. On the same string before and after the bad 12th fret are all frets are fine.
On the two higher strings all is fine on all frets.
The only thing I notice is the nut on the lowest string is slightly lower in the bolt nut slot. I've tried other bolts slightly higher and sure it's plays slide but ...just that one string on that one fret (the 12th) once again all the frets on that same string are fine before and after the 12th? Any idea how to fix?

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on May 5, 2015 at 6:54pm

I tried that but thank you!
I'd suppose it's the 13th fret that's just too high on the low string side ...the other two strings on that same fret are fine which is why it was confusing...I'll try leveling and hope that does the trick.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on May 5, 2015 at 8:09pm

Don't get too anxious over it Jon,as advised above,just protect your finger board with tape etc,and file/sand them till even,then a light dressing to clean them up and you should be ok

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 6, 2015 at 4:27am

You may want to confirm that the 13th is too high and the 12th isn't too low. Depending on which it is, the cure changes. A good 18" stainless steel straight edge will make this an easy check.

Check at each string position (top, middle, bottom) and you may find, as Wayfinder says, that the fret is of the incorrect height only under one string. If the fret is too high under just a single string, the hammer-tap solution should work well.

As others have said, this should be a quick and easy cure.

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on May 6, 2015 at 8:57am

Lesson learned and a wealth of information. I tapped the fret even though it was already seated in as far as I thought it would go...not sure if that helped ..then did what tom t mentioned and concentrated a bit more on the obvious 13th fret. It's great!!! The guitar already had a slew of imperfections...hah just like I like (not really). I will be sure to level frets before staining etc. A huge thank you to everyone as usual!

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 6, 2015 at 9:22am

Hur--ray!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Good Job....

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Permalink Reply by Jon Leslie/Runaway Veal Music on May 6, 2015 at 10:01am

I'll keep that I'm mind for sure.thank you for the help!

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 6, 2015 at 11:44pm

Wayfinder, I need photos of this. I can't quite visualize. Sounds like a good approach if I can figure out how to do it.

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 7, 2015 at 1:14am

Sounds like a plan.............

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Permalink Reply by jawbone on May 7, 2015 at 1:29am

Not sure if this will help or not...
I took the biggest socket that would fit in my drill press, 3/4", I think, and inserted about half the length into a chunk of hardwood, long enough to cover the width of the fret, then use the whole shebang, chucked in the drill press and use it as an arbor press. I'm not sure what pressure I'm getting. My luck, probably just enough to wreck my drill press !!!

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 7, 2015 at 1:36am

So, you just tap the frets in part way, then place the board over them, then the level, then lots and lots of clamps..........

The 1/4" board is rigid enough?

I will give this a try on my next fret job.

Thanks!

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Permalink Reply by Tom T on May 7, 2015 at 11:14am

Thanks for all the details. I think this is a great way to install frets. Even with other variables, I think that this method will get you as close as possible (all things considered). Then, if further leveling is needed, it should be very minor. I'll take that any day......