I have a Fender acoustic guitar with a fret problem. The 14th fret is slightly higher than its' neighbors. It is flush with the fretboard, so it is not a problem with it coming out of the slot. Although uniformly high across the entire fret, it only affects the high E string, with the affect being that at the 12th, 13th, and 14th frets the note for all is F# where it should be E, F and F#. I figure I could address this either by shimming the bridge on the high E side or filing the 14th fret.
1. I like the action as is, so I don't particularly want to raise it.
2. I don't know how much I would have to file the fret, and if I went too far, I'd end up having to replace the fret. It is not a cut away, so I don't know how much I would play in the area of the neck anyway (just beginning to play 6 string).
Does anyone have advice for the best way to proceed?
TIA, Matt
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Thanks for the ideas. No truss rod, or at least not one that is adjustable. I've looked at the neck and it is not twisted.
It will most likely have truss rod accessible at the end of the neck inside the guitar via the soundhole. Check the neck with both a long straight edge and a short "fret rocker" that will bridge just 3 frets at a time...you can get away with using a credit card as a rocker to see if you've got a high (or low) fret. If you have got a high fret, you may be able to tap it down, otherwise, you may have to file it down a little, then reprofile and polish the fret. Just go slow, check as you go with your straight edge and fret rocker...you just need to be methodical and take your time.
You're right, looks like there is a truss rod adjustment in the sound hole. I guess I assumed adjustment was always at the nut end.
If you can get your hands on the proper tool for the truss rod you may be able to make the adjustment yourself. The standard test for neck "relief" is to bring the strings up to tune, then put a capo behind the first fret then depress the last fret with your finger.
Measure the clearance between the low E string and the 8th fret. Should be around 0.010". A feeler gauge usually works for the test.
If relief is too small (under 0.010") then the truss rod needs to be loosened slightly. If the relief is too great then tighten the truss rod. Since you have strings touching around the 12th ~ 14th fret, that would tend to indicate a truss rod that needs to be loosened a bit, but the feeler gauge test will tell you.
If relief is correct, then you may need to level the frets. ChickenBone's comment to check with a straight edge and a short "rocker" is a great idea. You may find that the 14th is just too high versus the 13th and 15th.
It may not hurt to just mark the top of all frets with a sharpie then use a very flat surface with something like 400 grit sandpaper to check the level of the frets. I find a two food aluminum level works well for leveling frets. Its edge is very flat.
Good luck with it.
I may be wrong but it seems like you are experiencing the dreaded "14th fret hump". This is where the vast majority of acoustic guitars neck and body join. There is plenty of internet information on this. It may be worth your time to do a little research to get a better understanding of a common problem and how to fix it.
Thanks for all the information, everyone, I'll need some time to digest it! I also will get a gauge so I can check the relief - I don't currently have anything that measures that small.
So, again, thanks to all for the advice!
As an update, I adjusted the truss rod 1/4 turn looser in two 1/8 turn increments. The first 1/8, got the high string 12th fret E back, but with buzzing. The second 1/8 turn I now have a clean E. Now for the 12th, 13th and 14th frets I have E, F#, and F#, so the 13th fret is still off. I think I'm going to leave as is since I don't foresee playing it.
Yes, the added relief did raise the action slightly, most noticeable on the bass side. The next time I change strings I am going to re-shim the bridge with the aim of raising the treble side slightly (which might get the 13th to an F) and lowering the bass side.
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